National Hurling League Semi-finals/Waterford 1-19 Cork 1-16:It was all systems go at Thurles yesterday, Cork and Waterford presenting another of what is now a substantial portfolio of high-octane contests. Sun in the sky, bounce on the field and only the relative equanimity of the losers to remind us this was still the Allianz National Hurling League.
Waterford reached a second final in four years and deserved the verdict. They had to recover from a listless opening and reel in the Munster champions in the second quarter, and then with the match on the line in the closing minutes it was Justin McCarthy's team that better held their nerve with some rapturously received late points to set up an intriguing final against the competition specialists Kilkenny.
Cork regretted losing the early initiative and manager Gerald McCarthy identified the six-minute 1-4 blitz up to the 29th minute as decisive. It followed a point from Kieran Murphy on the left wing to push Cork six ahead, 1-7 to 0-4.
A minute later Dan Shanahan, set loose by a penetrating ball from captain Michael Walsh, cut in along the end line and shot across the goal. Diarmuid O'Sullivan's attempted block was judged to have crossed the line. Although the Cork keeper, Dónal Cusack, scrambled the ball clear the umpires had no hesitation in reaching for the green flag and TV pictures indicated it was probably the correct decision.
Either way it made little difference, as Eoin Kelly reacted quickest to the loose ball and buried it in the net.
There followed a string of points from Jack Kennedy, Kelly (a free and one from play) and finally Séamus Prendergast, clearing a robust passage for himself before shooting Waterford ahead in what had been a startling transformation.
Before the match Cork had to make two changes. A calf strain kept Joe Deane out and he was replaced by Ben O'Connor, making a first appearance of the season. And at corner back a hamstring pull meant Cian O'Connor made way for Shane O'Neill.
Ben O'Connor showed little evidence of his long absence and was sharp in open play and reliable with the dead ball. And though his injury-time free to save the match flew wide, it was a long-odds effort.
Cork suffered further misfortune when Neil Ronan had to be replaced in the eighth minute after dislocating a thumb. Cathal Naughton substituted.
Yet they started brightly and in the 13th minute hit the first goal. Eoghan Murphy soloed in from the left and though Clinton Hennessy got out to block, the ball spun out for Ben O'Connor to clip it into the net for 1-3 to 0-3.
Soon afterwards Pa Cronin unleashed his third point from play in the space of 10 minutes and though Kennedy replied, a further run of scores from Jerry O'Connor, Ben O'Connor (a free) and Kieran Murphy left Cork six in front, 1-7 to 0-4.
Waterford's problem was poor finishing, as indicated by eight first-half wides. Cork on the other hand went 20 minutes before hitting their first wide.
Conditions allowed Waterford play their high-tempo game and once the lethargy of the first quarter was shaken off the attack began to move well. John Mullane was a constant threat, Eoin Kelly switched around in the forwards, as did Shanahan, while Shane Walsh gave a fine display of hard work and skill.
Waterford's menace was indicated by the statistic that showed all six forwards on target from play in the first half. There could have been more goals but Kelly was wide with a good opportunity and Cusack saved when one-on-one with Mullane.
Eventually the defence tightened and James Murray reined in Cronin after the fiery start.
Corner backs Eoin Murphy and rookie Aidan Kearney conceded just one point from play.
Ken McGrath had his hands full with Niall McCarthy but eventually got on top and pointed two massive frees for good measure.
The revival of Waterford's half backs was another factor in the turnaround, but having gone in two points ahead, 1-10 to 1-8, they stuttered in the third quarter, adding just a point as Cork edged ahead with frees from O'Connor and a McCarthy point.
It was in the final 10 minutes that proceedings caught fire.
Waterford began to find their range and long ball into the attack yielded a return. Cork brought on John Gardiner, who bombed over two frees from distance and a 65.
The last score cut the margin to a point but a minute into injury-time Séamus Prendergast lifted the roof by sweeping over a point and seconds later Shanahan, in acres of space, stopped a puck-out from going over the sideline and replicated Prendergast's strike.
Fitting grace notes for an excellent contest.
WATERFORD: C Hennessy; A Kearney, D Prendergast, E Murphy; T Browne, K McGrath (0-2, frees), J Murray; M Walsh, J Kennedy (0-2); D Shanahan (1-1), E Kelly (0-8, five frees), J Mullane (0-2); S Walsh (0-2), S Prendergast (0-2), S Molumphy.
CORK: D Cusack; B Murphy, D O'Sullivan, S O'Neill; K Hartnett, R Curran, S Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, J O'Connor (0-1); P Cronin (0-3), N McCarthy (0-2), K Murphy (0-1, free); E Murphy, N Ronan, B O'Connor (1-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 sideline). Subs: C Naughton (0-1) for Ronan (8 mins), J Gardiner (0-3, two frees, 65) for K Murphy (48 mins), J O'Callaghan for E Murphy (62 mins), K Canty for Naughton (68 mins).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).
