Late goals from Brian O’Sullivan and Gavin Crotty gave an experimental Waterford team a flattering eight point win against Cork in this challenge game at Clashmore on Monday evening.
The wet conditions that persisted throughout didn’t lend themselves to good hurling but those in attendance saw a well contested clash on a pitch that held up brilliantly considering the rain that fell throughout the day. This game was another example of the strength in depth Davy Fitzgerald has at his disposal and the tough selections to be made ahead of June 12 against Limerick.
The visitors made the brighter start with Michael Cussen blasting to the net with only a minute on the clock. Cussen ran the Waterford full back line ragged in the opening half registering 1-3. Pa Cronin and Tom Kenny lorded the midfield battle with Conor Lehane also chipping in up front. Waterford kept in touch through a Seamus Prendergast goal on 23 minutes after a mistake by goalkeeper Martin Coleman. The Rebel number one made up for his error minutes later with a fine stop from Eamonn Murphy’s shot. Adrian Power was called into action at the other end to deny Patrick Horgan from a 21 metre free. Stephen Power fired over three frees for Waterford but missed the target with three other opportunities. Denis Walsh’s side deservedly held a 1-11 to 1-7 lead at the break.
Waterford improved in the second period aided by the introduction of Kevin Moran, Michael Walsh and Maurice Shanahan. Cork meanwhile withdrew the likes of Tom Kenny and Ronan Curran which seemed to weaken their effort. Shanahan struck over four points (two from play, two from frees) before retiring injured on 52 minutes with a suspected hand injury. On 41 minutes Adrian Power again denied a Cork goal after he dived to block Cussen’s low drive. Waterford’s full back line tightened up in the second period with Aiden Kearney improving as the game wore on. The half back line of David O’Sullivan, Michael Walsh and in particular Declan Prendergast also drove the home side on. After a long injury lay off the Ardmore man looked as if he was never away.
With the sides level entering the last ten minutes Waterford finished far stronger but needed a slice of luck to seal victory. On 63 minutes Shane Fives, who worked effectively in an unfamiliar centre forward role, attempted a point but it dropped short to Donal Og Cusack. The Cloyne goalkeeper didn’t control the sliotar however and Brian O’Sullivan followed it in to the net. In injury time Gavin Crotty burst through the Cork defence to bury his shot and round off a good night’s work for Waterford.
Best for Waterford on the night were Adrian Power who is putting himself in pole position for the goalkeeper’s shirt, Declan Prendergast, Eoin McGrath for his work rate at midfield, Shane Fives for a strong second half display and Brian O’Sullivan who put in a massive effort up front. On the Cork side Eoin Dillon, William Egan, Pa Cronin and Michael Cussen were their stand out performers.
Scorers:- Waterford: B. O’Sullivan 1-3 (2f), S. Prendergast 1-1, M. Shanahan 0-4 (2f), S. Fives 0-3, S. Power 0-3 (3f), G. Crotty 1-0, E. Murphy 0-1, T. Ryan 0-1, D. O’Sullivan 0-1.
Cork: M. Cussen 1-3, P. Horgan 0-3 (2f), P. Cronin 0-2, T. Kenny 0-2, C. Lehane 0-2, K. Murphy 0-1, C. McCarthy 0-1 (1f), W. Egan 0-1.
Waterford: Adrian Power, Aiden Kearney, Liam Lawlor, Jerome Maher, David O’Sullivan, Philip Mahony, Declan Prendergast, Eoin McGrath, Gavin Crotty, Eamonn Murphy, Shane Fives, Stephen Power, Thomas Ryan, Seamus Prendergast, Brian O’Sullivan.
Subs: Michael Walsh for Mahony (H-T), Kevin Moran for Murphy (H-T), Maurice Shanahan for S. Power (H-T), Eamonn Murphy for Shanahan inj (52 mins).
Cork: Martin Coleman, Stephen McDonnell, Eoin Dillon, Conor O’Sullivan, James Nagle, Ronan Curran, William Egan, Pa Cronin, Tom Kenny, Conor Lehane, Cian McCarthy, Cathal Naughton, Luke O’Farrell, Kieran Murphy, Michael Cussen.
Subs: Bill Cooper for McCarthy inj (11 mins), Patrick Horgan for O’Farrell (31 mins), Donal Og Cusack for Coleman (H-T), John O’Callaghan for McDonnell (H-T), Brian Murphy for Curran (H-T), Gavin McLoughlin for Kenny (H-T), Brian Corry for Lehane (H-T).
Wides – Waterford: 8 Cork: 13
Man of the match: Declan Prendergast (Waterford)
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)
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