Waterford 3-12
UCC 1-9
THE WATERFORD FOOTBALLERS brought a 34-year search for silverware to an end tonight, as goals from Joey Veale, Maurice O’Gorman and Gavin Nugent pushed them towards their second McGrath Cup title at Fraher Field.
Tom McGlinchey’s men worked hard for their fourth win in a row, as a fluid UCC posed serious questions during the first half.
Gavin Nugent’s piece of opportunism in front of the target on 50 minutes ultimately decided this lively contest and killed off the challenge of the Sigerson Cup champions.
Ten different scorers registered for Waterford as they sprinted for the line before 907 supporters.
In their first final appearance for thirteen years, Waterford led by 2-6 to 1-7 at the midway point. Joey Veale pounced for a poacher’s goal within three minutes after he tidied up a long-range point attempt by Liam Lawlor.
UCC lined out without several regulars and made nine changes in personnel before throw-in, but they replied smartly with four points on the trot.
Waterford snuck ahead with singles from Shane Ahearne and Michael Curry. On 18 minutes, Alan O’Donovan played a glorious pass to put Tom Hickey in the clear. His rasper was stopped by Stephen Enright but Conor Horgan was nearby to scramble home (1-4 to 1-2).
Waterford regained the lead after 26 minutes when Maurice O’Gorman’s charge forward from centre-back was rewarded with a rare green flag as he sent a low shot beyond Padraig McCarthy (2-4 to 1-5).
Points courtesy of Liam Lawlor and Patrick Hurney moved the margin out to four, before a pair of Tom Hickey points left UCC two in arrears at half time.
The scores didn’t flow as freely at the outset of the second period. David Harrington closed the gap to a single point with a splendid effort but Shane Ahearne restored Waterford’s interval advantage.
The hosts took control of this final on 50 minutes. McCarthy failed to deal with Michael O’Halloran’s delivery and an alert Gavin Nugent delivered an emphatic finish (3-7 to 1-8).
Waterford kicked on to the delight of their supporters. Tommy Prendergast, David Grey, Shane Ahearne and Conor Phelan tagged on points as the students only managed two points during the second half.
Captain Thomas O’Gorman held the trophy aloft as Waterford move towards their Allianz League opener against Wicklow next Saturday full of optimism.
Scorers for Waterford: Shane Ahearne 0-4 (3 frees); Joey Veale, Maurice O’Gorman, Gavin Nugent 1-0 each; Patrick Hurney, Liam Lawlor 0-2 each; Michael Curry, Tommy Prendergast, David Grey, Conor Phelan 0-1 each.
Scorers for UCC: Conor Horgan 1-2 (2 frees); David Harrington 0-3; Tom Hickey 0-2 (1 free); Kevin Davis, Adrian Spillane 0-1 each.
WATERFORD
1. Stephen Enright
2. Dean Crowley
3. Niall Walsh
4. Thomas O’Gorman
5. Tadhg Ó hUallacháin
6. Maurice O’Gorman
7. Ray Ó Ceallaigh
8. Shane Ahearne
9. Tommy Prendergast
10. Michael Curry
11. Michael O’Halloran
12. Patrick Hurney
13. Liam Lawlor
14. Gavin Nugent
15. Joey Veale
Subs
Conor Phelan for Walsh (21)
David Grey for Veale (52)
Jason Curry for Hurney (61)
Billy Power for Crowley (66)
Oran Keevers for Prendergast (66)
Mark Ferncombe for M Curry (69)
UCC
16. Padraig McCarthy (Kerry)
2. Jamie Davis (Cork)
32. Kevin Fulignati (Kerry)
26. Kieran Histon (Cork)
25. Kevin O’Sullivan (Kerry)
6. Sean White (Cork)
24. Enda Dennehy (Cork)
27. Alan O’Donovan (Cork)
23. Adrian Spillane (Kerry)
33. Fintan O’Connor (Cork)
29. Kevin Davis (Cork)
10. Shaun Keane (Kerry)
13. Thomas Hickey (Kerry)
15. David Harrington (Cork)
22. Conor Horgan (Cork)
Subs
Francis Courtney (Kerry) for Hickey (H-T)
Kevin Hayes-Curtin (Cork) for J Davis (42)
Colm Hyde (Cork) for White (43)
Padraig Scanlon (Kerry) for O’Donovan (44)
Padraig Lohan (Tipperary) for Harrington (51)
Shane Power (Tipperary) for Keane (61)
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)