Impressive win for Cork hurlers keeps championship hopes alive
Cork 2-22 Waterford 1-19 Cork had a well merited win over Waterford in the Munster SHC round 4 game at Walsh Park on Sunday. From the off, Cork showed the greater determination.
In the first minute Calum Lyons worked well with Dessie Hutchinson who was fouled and Stephen Bennett opened the scoring from the resultant free. Patrick Horgan levelled from a free soon after. The home side edged ahead again through Austin Gleeson, however a foul on Alan Connolly produced an equaliser from Patrick Horgan.
Good play by Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson led to a foul on Mikey Kiely, that Stephen Bennett converted. Waterford enjoyed their best spell. A foul on Dessie Hutchinson led to another pointed free. Patrick Curran with a point opened up a three point lead, 0-5 to 0-2.
Stephen Bennett then edged the Deise side further ahead. Cork regrouped well, as Patrick Horgan pointed a free and Mark Coleman landed a long range point. Further points by Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Collins had the sides level 0-6 each after 20 minutes. Cork had a goal by Alan Connolly, but Waterford replied with a goal of their own from Mikey Kiely, as they led 1-7 to 1-6.
Austin Gleeson with a long range free opened up a two point lead. A foul on Jack Prendergast led to another point, 1-9 to 1-6. The home side added another point.
Cork fought back well. Patrick Horgan pointed and Conor Lehane picked up a short puckout and sent over. Luke Meade soloed through and levelled, to make it 1-10 apiece. Austin Gleeson gave the home side the lead and the sides were deadlocked at 1-11 each when Mark Coleman pointed. In injury time Cork took the lead through Darragh Fitzgibbon, resulting in a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-11 at half-time.
DEISE DOWN TO 14
On the restart, Patrick Horgan pointed a Cork free. Kingston and Jack Fagan exchanged a point before Waterford closed the gap to a point when Stephen Bennett pointed a free. Cork moved two clear when Tim O’Mahony set up Seamus Harnedy for a point - 1-15 to 1-13. Seamus Harnedy and Neil Montgomery swapped points, with Austin Gleeson then cutting the lead to a single point. In the 52nd minute Tim O’Mahony and Seamus Harnedy worked well for Alan Connolly who scored his second goal. Conor Lehane followed with a point.
Waterford were reduced to 14 players. Cork were five points clear after 66 minutes, 2-19 to 1- 17. Patrick Curran and Neil Montgomery had a point each. Cork finished strongly adding three late points as they emerged victors by a six point margin.
Cork now play Tipperary this Sunday in Thurles. A win would secure a place in the knockout stages, even if Waterford defeated Clare.
Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig – 0-1), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Damian Cahalane (St. Finbarr’s), Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Christopher Joyce (Castlemartyr), Mark Coleman (capt – Blarney – 0-2), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville – 0-2), Luke Meade (Newcestown – 0-1), Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own), Seamus Harnedy (St. Ita’s – 0-5), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Alan Connolly (Blackrock – 2-0), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers - 0-4f), Conor Lehane (Midleton - 0-5 (0-2f)). Subs: Shane Kingston (Douglas – 0-2) for Shane Barrett, Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum) for Patrick Horgan, Conor Cahalane (St. Finbarr’s) for Robbie O’Flynn, Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Luke Meade, Brian Roche (Bride Rovers) for Conor Lehane.
Waterford: Shaun O’Brien (De La Salle), Shane McNulty (do), Conor Prunty (capt - Abbeyside), Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater), Calum Lyons (Ballyduff Lower), Tadhg de Burca (Clashmore-Kinsalebeg), Jack Fagan (De La Salle), Carthach Daly (Lismore), Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater), Jack Prendergast (Lismore – 0-1), Patrick Curran (Dungarvan - 0-3 (0-1f)), Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion - 0-4 (0-1f)), Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner), Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart - 0-7 (0-6f)), Mikey Kiely (Abbeyside – 1-0). Subs: Peter Hogan (Ballygunner – 0-1) for Carthach Daly, Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan) for Jamie Barron, Neil Montgomery (Abbeyside – 0-2) for Mikey Kiely, Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart – 0-1) for Stephen Bennett, Colin Dunford (Colligan) for Patrick Curran.
Referee: James Owens (Wexford).