Waterford hold off fightback

MUNSTER MHC SEMI-FINAL REPLAY: Waterford 2-17 Cork 1-13:THE DEFENDING champions Waterford are back in the Munster final after they saw off the brave challenge of Cork in Walsh Park last night.

Waterford were fantastic in the opening period as they out-fought and out-thought their illustrious rivals. With wing forward, Jake Dillon in superb form they opened up a two-point lead and the home side were given a huge boost in the 10th minute when a long-range free from Eoin Madigan was not dealt with by Cork goalkeeper, William McCarthy and the ball squirmed over the line.

Waterford built on this lead and, in the 17th minute, full forward Cormac Heffernan set up Dillon for an excellent goal.

Points followed for the Deise through team captain Pauric Mahony as well as Eamonn Murphy and Pauric Prendergast and Waterford led by 2-10 to 0-5 at the break.

Aided by the breeze, Cork came out fighting for the second half and began to eat into the Waterford lead.

Their hopes of pulling off a remarkable comeback received a major boost in the 36th minute when Conor Lehane scored an excellent goal. With Brian Hartnett in great form from frees, the lead was down to a goal with 10 minutes remaining.

However, Cork ran out of steam and late points by substitute Colm Curran and Martin O'Neill allowed Waterford to hang on for a famous win.

WATERFORD:D Duggan; J Barron, S O'Keeffe, L Egan; R Barry, D Fives, E Madigan (1-0, free); G O'Brien, P Prendergast (0-2); P Mahony (0-6, four frees, one 65), E Murphy (0-4), J Dillon (1-2); S Roche, C Heffernan, M O'Neill (0-2); Subs:C Curran (0-1) for S Roche, T Curran for E Madigan.

CORK:W McCarthy; D Cahalane, C Spillane, D Lester; K Buckley, C Joyce, D O'Carroll; D Sweetman (0-1), N Kelly; S O'Keeffe, C Lehane (1-2), S Moore; J Coughlan (0-2), D Lordan, B Hartnett (0-8, five frees, two 65s). Subs:A Dennehy for D O'Carroll, R O'Shea for K Buckley, J Wall for S Moore, K Hallissey for D Lordan, B Murray for S O'Keeffe.

Referee:S Roche (Tipperary).

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Waterford will now meet Clare in Sunday's final at Semple Stadium.