Ó hAilpín puts one over on nemesis Kelly

We collared Seán Óg Ó hAilpín just inches from the sanctuary of the Cork dressing-room. He had just played a significant role in ensuring his team made the semi-finals.

Waterford captain Eoin Kelly abandoned midfield before the throw-in and Ó hAilpín had gladly taken up the challenge. Not only did he nil the man who landed 0-6 when last these sides met, he registered his first championship point.

It came after 56 minutes and brought Cork level. Then John Gardiner posted a mammoth free moments before the old warrior Brian Corcoran claimed the game's only goal to all but seal the result.

"That point of yours was very important, Seán Óg?" asked a Cork reporter.

"The opportunity came up and I think at that stage a point was as good as a goal. Okay, they equalised soon after but Brian's goal was crucial."

"First ever in the championship, Seán Óg?" asked another familiar face.

"That's correct. (You witnessed) history today because it will probably be the last one. Happy enough - if someone told me today we were going to win by a half-point I would have taken it. We would have preferred to meet someone else bar Waterford because it is a local derby match at quarter-final stage.

"They were seriously pumped up. They came in, they hit hard. Fought tooth and nail. I suppose really when we went three points ahead (Corcoran's goal) it was hard for them to peg it back, especially with the strong breeze."

The first half must have sent shivers racing up the spines of Cork people but Ó hAilpín has been in this sort of position before and he reminded team-mates of that at the break.

"We never really panicked and I suppose that is the hallmark of this team. People tend to go into a tizzy, like, when we were down at half-time, but I keep reminding fellas it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. We were in a similar situation last September: when Kilkenny were doing all the playing we were a point behind."

We know what happened then and, although not as emphatic, something similar occurred yesterday.

Manager John Allen also pointed to Corcoran's goal as the turning point but felt his side were off the required pace for the championship. Waterford, with three games played recently, were right on it.

"That's not an excuse but they were definitely more championship fit than we were. Their hurling was more crisp and they were sharper than we were. We've got three weeks to work on that. We're still there and Waterford are not."

Allen also showed his ability to react in the white heat of battle by withdrawing two-thirds of his half-forward line. He also indicated that Niall and Timmy McCarthy were now fighting for their positions.

"How fellas perform in championship dictates whether they are on the next day. There were no safety nets so we couldn't hold on and afford to lose the game. There was no going through a different route this time so we had to be ruthless and make the moves we saw fit."

The only Corkman to come out on the losing side yesterday was Waterford manager Justin McCarthy. After a four-year stint the main question put to him was whether he intended to stay on for five. He wouldn't tell us.

"I'll be in hurling. My hurling life isn't over no matter what I do next year. I'll probably be hurling tomorrow night, you know, have a few pucks around. Just because Waterford lost today doesn't mean Justin McCarthy is finished. That won't dull my appetite for the game or my enthusiasm for it.

"I have learned a lot here in Waterford and I hope they have learned a lot from me. We worked together very closely, I got great co-operation and made great friends. Who knows where I'll be next year. We'll have to weigh it up as the weeks and months go on."

Regarding what had just happened, he played down the importance of sporting occasions when compared to recent events in the county.

"There are ups and downs. People died in Waterford during the week and will never see a hurling match again. We gave it our best shot and played some outstanding hurling. We were well up for it and are a very good team but one little break makes a difference in a tight game.

"No better team than Cork to take that chance when it presents itself. They can sort of sense it and go a point or two ahead. Then you are on the back foot."