CORK hurling boss John Meyler was loud in his praise for the full-back trio of Seán O’Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan and Niall O’Leary in the aftermath of the victory over Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

The Rebels were too slick for the Déise, but with Limerick shredding Clare yesterday there are still four teams battling for three spots in the All-Ireland series.

Tipp are virtually assured of qualification for the Munster decider ahead of hosting Limerick next Sunday. Cork travel to Ennis, but could still be knocked out if they lose and Limerick beat Tipp. Scoring difference will come into play if Cork, Limerick, and Tipp all finish on three wins apiece.

The likelihood is that would leave John Meyler’s charges in third spot, but the most simple formula is that a win puts them through.

Meyler singled out young O’Donoghue for special praise at the weekend, after the Inniscarra defender had been replaced at half-time in the previous encounter against Limerick.

“We had faith in Seán O’Donoghue as we have in other players and you just can’t jettison a player because they had a bad 35 minutes.

“Now, he was caught badly for the Graeme Mulcahy goal that day, but we just said to him this week that we had confidence in him and to go back to what you were doing.

“He sallied up the field there a few times, set up scores and he did his basic job of defending along with Niall O’Leary and Eoin Cadogan.

“I think that the three of them have done really well and they have solidified the full-back line."

He was also very satisfied with the impact that was made off the bench with Shane Kingston, Conor Lehane, and Tim O’Mahony sharing six points.

“Look, it’s a 20-, 21-man game now. It’s vital that you have those five subs and it’s more vital that when they come in they make an impact. You must have that strength in depth.”

He believes too that having the extra day now to prepare for next Sunday against Clare in Cusack Park was crucial.

“That allows you the extra day to recover and what the medical staff will do.

“Look, it was important that we won, that we got the two points and now we are going to Ennis to try and win up there, we need to get a result in that game, to be in the top three in Munster and that is our primary objective.”