Cork Hurling Player Ratings: Brian Hayes and Mark Coleman immense against Waterford 

Patrick Collins: Super save in the first half from Dessie Hutchinson and massive stop from Peter Hogan when the game hung in the balance. Very composed under the dropping ball too. 8.

Seán O’Donoghue: Dominant first half on Stephen Bennett, though both ended up going off injured but O'Donoghue recovered. Kevin O’Mahony caused him a few issues in the third quarter but ended the game very much on top. Notably disciplined after a first-half yellow. 7.

Damien Cahalane: Handed the number three geansaí in just his third start in three seasons. Largely marking Seán Walsh to wrestle under the dropping ball. Repelled a number of high deliveries in the closing stages. 7.

Niall O’Leary: Was the go-to option on short puck-outs while also picking up Dessie Hutchinson. Completely shut him down from play and showed his hurling class with a few sensational pick-ups in the last 10 minutes. 9.

Eoin Downey: Fine game at wing-back. Along with Mark Coleman, denied Sean Walsh a goal. Picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Cormac O'Brien. 7.

Tim O’Mahony: Started at centre-back and a very strong presence in Rob Downey’s absence. Showed all his power when driving out with possession and had four assists from clever, angled long balls. 7.

Mark Coleman: Immense display, particularly in the second half when the game was on the line. Super block on Walsh, stitched Cork’s second penalty and his reading of the Waterford puck-outs and touch stood out. 9.

Tommy O’Connell: Operated in a very deep role in the first half as Cork were hurling against a gale. Hoovered a lot of breaks in the last 20 minutes. 8.

Darragh Fitzgibbon: At midfield for throw-in but spent a good bit of time on the wing as well. Strong start, involved in three scores and then absolutely thundered into the second half with 0-2 from play and multiple possessions in the fourth quarter at midfield. 8.

Diarmuid Healy: Getting back in the groove after injury, full of movement and fouled for a pair of frees. Still not at full tilt. 6.

Shane Barrett: In and out of the game but his runs to the flanks opened acres of space for the inside line. Scored a point and fouled twice. Finished the game on a high. 7.

Hugh O’Connor: With Barry Walsh ruled out, the Newmarket man got his first start and was in the thick of the action, despite being asked to tag Jamie Barron at midfield. Nabbed two first-half points and emptied the tank. Promising. 6.

William Buckley: Lively from the off. Ended a very productive outing with 0-3 from play, along with three assists and was fouled three converted frees. Super debut season so far. 8.

Alan Connolly: Looked extremely dangerous throughout and worked very hard. Goaled in the first half but Seán Stack had whistled for a penalty which was then saved. Also hit the side-netting with a goal and set up Brian Hayes for a similar close call. Finished with 0-3 from play. 7.

Brian Hayes: Sensational first half, in which he caused chaos, getting fouled for a penalty and arrowing 0-6 from play. 

Added another point in the second half and had a wonderful stick-pass assist for Barrett’s score. 9.

SUBS:

Ger Mellerick: Came in as a blood sub for Seán O’Donoghue and did the business. 6.

Robbie O’Flynn: Worked like a Trojan for the last 20 minutes. 6.

Seamus Harnedy: Late cameo and thrilled the crowd with a trademark point. 6.

Cormac O’Brien: Steadied the ship in the last quarter. 6.

Padraig Power: Not on long enough to rate.