Patchwork Waterford just fail to quell Cork

Cork 1-21
Waterford 1-21

Yet again the hurlers of Cork and Waterford made something of nothing. Yesterday's first match of this year's Munster GAA hurling championship promised little and it's likely the crowd of just more than 16,000 was hard core.

Waterford’s well-publicised injury and suspension problems – with up to half a first- choice team out of action – appeared to have undermined their prospects even before the start of a match against the team that came within seconds of winning last year’s All-Ireland.

For all of that, it was Derek McGrath’s patchwork assembly of promising youngsters and seasoned troopers who started with all of the drive and purpose. They took the lead in the opening minute when Pauric Mahony nailed his first free, and apart from an accumulated four minutes during which Cork pulled level, led all the way.

Having never been in front, Cork were probably relieved to be facing nothing more undignified than a replay in two weeks.

Mahony’s frees underpinned Waterford’s effort, but he also played very well, scoring two of his 0-11 from play and setting up scores for others, for example the catch and layoff for Brian O’Sullivan’s second point in the 40th minute.

Dominant He also tackled and harassed, in the process earning a 15th- minute free that he converted himself.

All around the field Waterford were dominant in the first half. Cork looked stricken by a particularly debilitating inertia. Not alone did they struggle to win puck-outs but they were virtually somnolent on breaking ball contests.

By rights, Waterford should have been more than six ahead, 0-13 to 0-7, at the break.

The points included three fine raids from wing-backs Jamie Nagle, twice, and Tadhg Burke. What sparks Cork struck came from Alan Cadogan who pointed twice, even if the second offered prospects of a greater return.

Overall though the younger Cadogan, brother of dual player Eoin, made a substantial contribution on his debut with four points from play plus four converted frees, awarded for fouls on him.

He also forced an excellent save from Stephen O’Keeffe in the Waterford goal in the 56th minute, at the expense of a 65, from which Horgan scored.

Waterford suffered a setback in the 22nd minute when debutant centrefielder Eddie Barrett had to go off with a dislocated knee, which now ends his season.

Having built the lead slowly and methodically – Horgan’s frees just about keeping Cork afloat – Waterford saw their interval lead reduced by two as Cork started the second half with greater urgency. Horgan, Cadogan and Lehane were all on the mark, but in the 44th minute the game changed again in the other direction.

Austin Gleeson, at 19 one of the rising generation, flashed onto a sloppy line ball from Aidan Walsh and took off on a penetrating run, eluding defenders as he went, before scoring a spectacular goal for a 1-15 to 0-11 lead.

While Cork reeled, they conceded another two points from Shane Walsh and a free by Mahony. Replacement Shane Fives intercepted smartly to forestall Lehane and Cork were in trouble.

The goal turnover by Aidan Walsh was the low point of a mixed afternoon for the All Star footballer and hurling championship newcomer, but he also made more useful contributions, most memorably a pointed line ball and a 51st minute catch, solo and point on the run.

Fightback Some of his other runs ended less constructively, but it will have been an informative experience.

His second point was part of a Cork fightback that started immediately after they had fallen nine behind, 0-11 to 1-17. Horgan got in a shot that O'Keeffe saved well and although Patrick Cronin, who had a difficult afternoon during which he was at odds with his game before being replaced, couldn't force the follow-up, Waterford failed to clear.

Melee In the goal-line melee, replacement Bill Cooper got a touch on the ball to send it over the line.

They were unlucky to lose a point at the other end after centre back Mark Ellis – who formed an encouragingly solid refurbished defensive core with Damien Cahalane – was harshly penalised for a shoulder on Gleeson, but Horgan drove the recovery.

Having been switched away from the industrious Noel Connors and out to the wing, his frees, points from play and a 65 pushed Cork ever closer to catching their opponents and a galvanic point, swept over from distance cut the margin to 1-18 to 1-19.

Strangely with the match in their sights, they faltered a little. Waterford were visibly tiring with various players treated for cramp.

Yet it was they who scored next when Mahony converted another free. Within seconds, however, Horgan replied in kind and good work by replacement Jamie Coughlan in picking out Cooper culminated in the equaliser.

There was late drama, starting with a brilliant intervention from Shane O’Neill to prevent Brian O’Sullivan from getting a pass away, but in injury time veteran Séamus Prendergast looked to have won it with a point.

The final act saw Anthony Nash earning a free when clearing a long ball. The free from where the ball landed was a formality for Horgan and honours were even. CORK: 1. A Nash; 2. S O'Neill, 3. D Cahalane, 4. S McDonnell; 5. C Joyce, 6. M Ellis, 7. L McLoughlin; 8. D Kearney, 9. A Walsh (0-2, one line ball); 11. C McCarthy, 10. C Lehane (0-1), 12. P Cronin (capt.); 13. A Cadogan (0-4), 14. S Harnedy (0-1), 15. P Horgan (0-12, seven frees, one 65). Subs: 22. B Cooper (1-1) for McCarthy (half-time), 21. B Lawton for Kearney (50 mins), 25. S Moylan for Cronin (53 mins), 23. J Coughlan for Harnedy (65 mins). WATERFORD: 1. S O'Keeffe; 4. N Connors, 3. L Lawlor, 7. B Coughlan; 5. J Nagle (0-2), 8. K Moran, 2. T Burke (0-1); 6. M Walsh (capt.), 9. E Barrett; 15. J Dillon (0-1), 11. P Mahony (0-11, nine frees), 12. A Gleeson (1-2, point from sideline); 13. B O'Sullivan (0-2), 14. S Walsh (0-1), 10. C Dunford. Subs: 19. R Foley for Barrett (22 mins), 17. S Fives for Coughlan (42 mins), 24. R Barry for Dunford (47 mins), 23. D Breathnach for Dillon (53 mins), 22. S Prendergast (0-1) for S Walsh (59 mins). Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)