Cork v Waterford: MSHC: Slow start and silly mistakes cost Cork as Waterford win by three points

Waterford 2-25

Cork 1-25

CORK'S Munster SHC campaign opened with defeat against Waterford at Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon.

Before a crowd of 11,973 in summer-like conditions, Cork trailed by seven points at one stage in the first half before coming back to within four of their hosts by half-time.

Mark Coleman, having moved to midfield in a swap with Tommy O’Connell, pointed within nine seconds of the restart and Shane Barrett added another before Coleman and Robert Downey set up Darragh Fitzgibbon for his fourth of the game.

Cork’s workrate was far better than it had been but Waterford refused to wilt and on 42 they had a chance of another goal as Stephen Bennett charged goalwards. Under pressure from Ger Millerick, he couldn’t get a clean connection and Patrick Collins saved. Cork immediately followed that with two Patrick Horgan frees to draw level, 1-13 to 0-16 for the first time since the opening minutes.

Cork had the momentum but again Waterford found a surge. The excellent Darragh Lyons was involved in points for Neil Montgomery and Calum Lyons and a Dessie Hutchinson free had them three in front again.

The lead oscilliated between one and three for the next ten minutes before a decisive moment as Ciarán Joyce fouled Jack Prendergast. Having consulted with a linesman, referee Michael Kennedy determined that it had been a goalscoring opportunity, with the outcome being a penalty and a black card for Joyce.

Stephen Bennett despatched the penalty for a 2-18 to 0-19 lead and that cushion looked to be enough as time wound down. 

Cork's cause wasn't helped by a questionable second yellow card for Damien Cahalane in the minutes after that.

Then, in the 69th minute, with the score 2-22 to 0-23, hope for Cork as Alan Connolly snaffled a loose ball and ran into space before firing past Shaun O’Brien.

Again, Waterford replied through sub Patrick Curran and Dessie Hutchinson – his tenth point but first from play – before two Connolly frees had two in it with injury time almost up. Unfortunately for Cork, they couldn’t claim the puckout and Curran’s second ensured victory for the hosts.

It means that Cork must now face Clare next Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with both sides having lost their openers, givng the game a must-win feel for both counties.

While Patrick Horgan put Cork ahead with a second-minute free, it was the only time they led in the game.

Straight from Shaun O’Brien’s puckout, Jamie Barron latched on to possession and he ran at the defence before crashing a shot beyond Patrick Collins. Further points followed from Jack Prendergast (two) and the outstanding Barron as the home side moved into a six-point lead inside ten minutes.

As expected, Waterford played Calum Lyons as an extra defender, allowing Tadhg de Búrca to sweep, but Cork couldn’t make the numerical advantage count at the other end.

With debutant Seán Twomey playing as a fourth half-forward, Cork left Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan inside but the first half was devoid of any real goal chances. Cork’s cause was Points from Horgan (free), Darragh Fitzgibbon – along with captain Seán O’Donoghue and Shane Barrett, Cork’s best in the first half – and Alan Connolly did bring the visitors back to within three, but overall their shooting was poor and the wides tally was at five by the 17th minute and eight by the 26th.

Waterford were able to push on again and it was 1-8 to 0-5 when they might have had another goal, Michael Kiely’s shot bouncing off Mark Coleman’s helmet and out for a 65.

Cork did improve marginally as the half closed and points from Fitzgibbon, Horgan and Conor Lehane – a good effort from the left sideline after three earlier wides – had it 1-10 to 0-10 before Calum Lyons rounded off the first-half scoring.

While they lost that four-point lead, they never trailed and they can now enjoy a week off before facing Tipperary.

Scorers for Waterford: D Hutchinson 0-10 (0-9f), J Barron, S Bennett (1-0 penalty, 0-1f) 1-3 each, C Lyons 0-3, P Curran, J Prendergast 0-2 each, N Montgomery, M Kiely 0-1 each.

Cork: P Horgan 0-7f, A Connolly 1-4 (0-2f), D Fitzgibbon 0-4, S Barrett 0-3, S Harnedy 0-2, M Coleman, C Lehane, B Hayes, R O’Flynn, G Millerick 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: S O’Brien; M Fitzgerald, C Prunty, I Daly; D Lyons, T de Búrca, K Bennett; J Barron, N Montgomery; M Kiely, K Mahony, J Prendergast; D Hutchinson, S Bennett, C Lyons.

Subs: Patrick Fitzgerald for Mahony (58) P Curran for Montgomery (63), Pádraig Fitzgerald for Kiely (70).

CORK: P Collins; G Millerick, D Cahalane, S O’Donoghue; M Coleman, C Joyce, R Downey; T O’Connell, D Fitzgibbon; S Barrett, C Lehane, S Harnedy; P Horgan, A Connolly, S Twomey.

Subs: R O’Flynn for Twomey (half-time), B Hayes for Lehane (52), L Meade for Harnedy (60), E Downey for Horgan (64), J O’Connor for Coleman (70).

Referee: M Kennedy (Tipperary).