Cork minors power past Waterford as they prepare for Munster final in style

Cork: 3-19 (3-3-13) 

Waterford: 1-12 (1-2-8) 

Cork eased to a routine 13-point victory over Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 2 Round 3 clash at Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday evening. 

With their place in the provincial decider already secured, this was a workmanlike outing from Keith Ricken’s side, even with five changes from the excellent win over Kerry a week earlier.

It underlined the strength in depth within the panel. The Leesiders had the contest effectively put to bed early on, leading by 12 at the interval despite playing into a stiff wind, and they maintained full control thereafter to win by 13. Their power, pace and clinical finishing were simply too much for the visitors.

Cork will now face Kerry in the Munster final after the Kingdom overcame Clare in what was effectively a semi-final, also played on Monday evening.

Waterford enjoyed a strong wind advantage in the opening half, but they were always facing an uphill battle given the quality of the opposition. 

After two early wides, Cork opened the scoring through Joe Miskella after two minutes. Moments later, Eoghan Ahern was denied a goal when his shot cannoned off the post following a Mark Power pass.

Points from Kieran O’Shea and Alex O’Herlihy followed before Cork struck for their first goal six minutes in, Riley O’Donovan finishing neatly after a clever Jacob Barry pass. Miskella added another point before Peadar Kelly’s surging run ended with the defender calmly picking his spot to the net, leaving Cork 2-4 to 0-0 ahead after 14 minutes.

Waterford finally got off the mark a minute later through a tidy Dara Gough free, followed soon after by a fine Liam O’Grady two-pointer. Despite those scores, Cork remained firmly in control. They led 2-7 to 0-4 after 23 minutes before Gough added another two-pointer, showing Waterford’s battling qualities which persisted to the end.

O’Grady trimmed the gap to six, but Cork struck for their third goal two minutes before the break when O’Herlihy raised a green flag again assisted by Barry making it 3-7 to 0-7. Cork then kicked the last three points of the half, with Morgan Corkery among the scorers, to lead 3-10 to 0-7 at the interval.

With the wind at their backs, Cork were slow to get going after the restart. Gough tapped over a free as Waterford enjoyed a spell of possession, though without making major inroads on the scoreboard. 

A Conrad Murphy two-pointer settled Cork after a sloppy period, and goalkeeper Rory Twohig produced an excellent save to deny Jack Casey a goal.

Scores were scarce in the third quarter, but Cork remained in a commanding position. They led 3-16 to 0-9 after 46 minutes before Twohig converted a two-pointer from a free, shortly after Barry also landed a two-point effort.

Waterford responded with 1-3 without reply, substitute Eoin Lavery finishing well for their goal as they closed to 3-18 to 1-12 on 59 minutes, but the game had long since drifted beyond them. Cork substitute Kevin O’Donovan clipped over a superb point from a tight angle as the Rebels finished strongly.

Now it’s on to the Munster final against Kerry.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Herlihy 1-3, J Miskella 0-3, P Kelly, R O’Donovan 1-0 each, C Murphy (1 2pt), J Barry (1 2pt), E Ahern (0-2 f), R Twohig (1 2pt f), M Corkery, K O’Shea 0-2 each, K O’Donovan 0-1.

Waterford: D Gough 0-6 (0-4 f, 1 2pt), L O’Grady 0-3 (1 2pt), E Lavery 1-0, E Bloomer 0-2, A O’Donnell 0-1.

CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); D Coleman (Youghal), G Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), R McCormack (Midleton); C Murphy (Barryroe), E Lynch (Ballincollig), P Kelly (Naomh Abán); K O’Shea (Urhan), M Power (Charleville); E Ahern (Carrigaline), M Corkery (Nemo Rangers), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt); A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s), J Barry (Aghinagh), R O’Donovan (Barryroe).

Subs: L O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for R O’Donovan, A O’Sullivan (Glanmire) for R McCormack (both h-t), K O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa) for K O’Shea (38), D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for M Power (42), M Walsh (Bride Rovers) for J Miskella (52).

WATERFORD: R Kearney; A McManus, J Skehan, C Power; C Johnston, A O’Donnell, L O’Grady; T Meagher, T Walsh; E Bloomer, A McMaugh, J Casey; D Gough, C Smyth, R Kirwan.

Subs: S Healy for A McManus (h-t), C Kelly for A McMaugh (44), E Lavery for C Smyth (49), E Keane for C Johnston, R Cuddy for E Bloomer (both 52).

Referee: Seán Joy (Kerry).