A preview of the Waterford v Cork match
Waterford v Cork
Sunday, Croke Park, 4.0
On TV: RTÉ 2
Hurricanes pale in comparison when Cork and Waterford get together to cross hurleys. In their seven meetings since 2002 these teams have always produced ferocious competition punctuated by glorious scores.
When the clock ticks close to the 70-minute mark the hurling can almost transcend sport.
On June 17th, a touchline point from Dan Shanahan put Waterford four points clear with six minutes to play.
An understrength Cork were supposed to wilt. Instead, Ben O'Connor nudged over two frees and Cathal Naughton posted another.
It took a courageous strike from John Mullane and then an inspirational switch of play by Eoin McGrath to let Tony Browne seemingly close it out. Refusing to surrender their Munster title lightly, Cork forced their way upfield and rattled the crossbar with the last roll of the dice.
But Cork can take solace from the return of their three suspended leaders. You can bet the month's mortgage repayment Donal Óg Cusack, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín won't allow five goals to pass. Waterford's own concession of three goals puts the momentum marginally behind Cork.
But, whatever about the teamsheet, Justin McCarthy is unlikely to alter his full-back line, where Eoin Murphy, Declan Prendergast and Aiden Kearney have proved consistent. In the Munster final they rewarded McCarthy's faith by keeping Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Barry Foley scoreless from play.
In contrast, Cork are weakened by Brian Corcoran's retirement. Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields) has been handed the number 14 jersey. Timmy McCarthy, returned to the line-up at the expense of captain Kieran Murphy (Erin's Own), is another option at full forward.
Tom Kenny is back to renew his partnership with Jerry O'Connor and will test Michael "Brick" Walsh and whoever McCarthy puts alongside the Waterford captain.
Still, Waterford are currently the best team in the land. They have beaten Cork twice (league semi-final and championship) and Kilkenny in the league final. They have added an extra dimension to their game; not once have they blinked when opponents lifted the tempo.
This improvement is best exemplified by the temperament of John Mullane and Eoin Kelly.
Kelly and Paul Flynn supply an immense arsenal of free-taking ability. Shanahan has been brilliant all summer.
Cork will build everything from their half-back line; The Rock will eventually be deployed to his old pal Shanahan; their running game and natural savvy will at times unsettle Waterford.
It will be a gripping contest but if Waterford can drag Cork into a scorefest they will edge a huge collision of these hurling giants.
CORK: D Óg Cusack; S O'Neill, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, J O'Connor; B O'Connor, T McCarthy, P Cronin; N Ronan, K Murphy (Sarsfields), J Deane.
WATERFORD: C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, J Murray; T Browne, K McGrath, A Kearney; M Walsh (capt), E Kelly; J Kennedy, S Prendergast, P Flynn; J Mullane, D Shanahan, S Molumphy.
Referee: B Gavin (Offaly)
- Gavin Cummiskey
