Waterford impress with Under-21 win over Cork

Waterford 1-21 Cork 1-11

Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran were the stars as Waterford were too strong for Cork in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under-21 hurling championship quarter-final at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Cork worked hard in the first half and midfielder Martin Brennan was one of many to impress early on as he scored two points. Waterford never panicked at any stage though and soaked up the Cork pressure before getting on top with their own run of points.

At the back, Tadhg de Búrca was excellent and in attack Curran’s free-taking was outstanding while Ryan Donnelly also got in on the act and Bennett scored a super point from range as Derek Lyons’ side asserted themselves. While Cork substitute David Geary was on target inside a minute of the restart, three in a row from Waterford opened up a five-point lead.

Shane McNulty drew a save from Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins on 43, but even without a goal, Waterford continued to augment their advantage and Curran (two), Bennett and Colin Dunford contributed to a four-point burst to make it 0-19 to 0-10.

Cork pressed for a goal and were rewarded when Meade netted. Hope was fleeting, however, with Bennett capping his display as he kicked a goal after Shane Hegarty had initially denied him. Waterford now face Clare in the semi-final.

WATERFORD: B Nolan; S McNulty, C Gleeson, K Bennett; M Harney, T de Búrca, T Devine; R Donnelly 0-1, C Dunford 0-1; A Gleeson 0-1, D Lyons, Shane Bennett 1-4; Stephen Bennett 0-1, DJ Foran 0-1, P Curran 0-12 (0-7f, 0-1 65).

Subs: M Kearney for Donnelly (43), C Curran for Harney (51), B Phelan for Foran (57), B O’Sullivan for Shane Bennett (60).

CORK: P Collins; D Browne, A Dennehy, S O'Donoghue; D Noonan, C Twomey 0-1 (0-1f), N Cashman; R Cahalane, M Brennan 0-3; D Casey, K O'Connor, K O'Neill 0-1; M O'Connor 0-3 (0-3f), A Spillane, L Meade 1-1.

Subs: D Geary 0-2 for K O’Connor (26), D Lee for M O’Connor (41), K Histon for Noonan (51), S Hegarty for Dennehy (57-59, blood), Hegarty for Browne (60).

Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary).