Cork progressed to the Munster minor football final at a gloomy Fraher Field after a spell of seven points in a row during the second half held off a persistent Waterford.
A lethal inside forward line of Shane Kingston, Michael Hurley and Damien Buckley posted nine points between them. Goalkeeper Colm O’Driscoll put in an eye catching hour with three important saves, including a diving denial of Conor Gleeson from the penalty spot in the first half. Gleeson and Jack Mullaney kept plugging away for Oran Curran’s hosts right to the finish.
Cork galloped 1-2 to 0-0 away inside seven minutes. Maidhc Ó Duinnín started with a pair of points before goalkeeper Colm O’Driscoll stopped Conor Gleeson. Michael Hurley pounced on a slip by marker Jack Guiry and fed Sean O’Donoghue. He skipped the ball along the surface to the far corner beyond Colm O’Driscoll.
Waterford gathered themselves after that uncertain start. The elusive Conor Gleeson led the improvement. He opened their account on 12 minutes and provided Conor Murray for a second. The Cork inside trio also carried a threat as Damien Buckley and Michael Hurley got off the mark.
Aaron Donnelly was fouled for a Waterford penalty on 22 minutes. Conor Gleeson stepped forward but Colm O’Driscoll dived to his right to push away the attempt. The full forward made amends with a free and a superb solo score as he ducked and dived between defenders (1-4 to 0-4). Cork finished the half with points from Kingston and Buckley (free).
Waterford shortened to three on the resumption. Joe Allen struck a free and Jack Mullaney polished off a team move. Seven unanswered points from the visitors dampened home enthusiasm. Shane Kingston scored three including a glorious curling effort. Michael Hurley added two with Sean O’Donoghue and Seamus Ronanyne also involved in a point scoring exhibition. It proved to be a decisive purple patch.
Conor Gleeson persisted until the finish but his efforts were in vain. Allen and Gleeson slotted late points before a superb consolation three pointer. Jack Mullaney smashed a goal to the roof of the rigging with a minute remaining after an incisive burst from substitute Michael Sweeney. Too little too late however as Gary Murphy rounded off the Rebels’ win.
Scorers for Cork: S O’Donoghue 1-1, S Kingston 0-4, M Hurley 0-3 (1f), D Buckley (1f), M Ó Duinnín 0-2 each , S Ronayne, G Murphy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: J Mullaney 1-1, C Gleeson 0-4 (2fs), J Allen 0-2 (2fs), C Murray 0-1.
Cork: C O’Driscoll; S Powter, K Flahive, T Bushe; C O’Donovan, D Meaney, C Kiely; S O’Leary, B Coakley; S O’Donoghue, M Ó Duinnín, S Ronayne; S Kingston, M Hurley, D Buckley.
Subs: M Collins for Coakley (36), D O’Neill for O’Donoghue (45), M Cottrell for Ó Duinnín (55), M Lordan for O’Donovan (57), G Murphy for Buckley (60), A Hassett for Lordan (60).
Waterford: C Brown; C O’Neill, J Guiry, M Cronin; D Lyons, E O’Halloran, M Shine; C Curran, C Prunty; J Mullaney, C Murray, D Guiry; J Allen, C Gleeson, A Donnelly.
Subs: J Elstead for Shine (47), M Sweeney for D Guiry (47), P Whyte for O’Halloran (62), P Tobin for Sweeney (62).
Referee: E Walsh (Kerry)
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