The form guide suggests that Waterford are making up ground however. Backed up by two bubbly attacking performances and eight dual stars, they are eager to perform on the main stage. 8-16 in two games, provided by eight different contributors, demonstrates the positive manner they go about their business. The 6-23 shipped at the other end is another by-product. They generated eight goal chances against Clare and nailed six. Manager Oran Curran sees no reason to deviate for the arrival of the Rebels. “We have no reason to fear Cork. They can play football like that and bang in six goals. I’m sure that Cork were here as well tonight and they will be wondering how to stop a couple of them lads.”
The hosts will again look to the headliners of Conor Gleeson and Joe Allen as the outlet for kick passes inside. Midfielder Conor Prunty also likes to bomb forward into the red zone. Darragh Lyons will drift away from number fifteen and the half forwards may step back slightly to afford the top two room to manoeuvre.
They sustained a high tempo for sixty minutes to survive the Clare challenge. Their comfort in possession and fluency up front moved the Banner backs around. Even after Clare hunted down a nine point deficit, they worked the ball patiently for Joe Allen to calmly put the game to sleep. The Dungarvan striker started the shootout when he trashed a dipping shot to the roof of the net only 12 seconds in. The Conor Gleeson and Joe Allen partnership has combined for 4-11 in two outings. Despite plenty of advance warning for opposing defences to heed, Waterford have managed to open up space and get in regular contact with their front two. They display an unselfish side too. Allen was involved in the build-up to two green flags, including the killer kick pass for Prunty’s second. Gleeson played the final ball for three goals. A wide count of four last time around (none in the second half) shows that they are attempting to find the best placed shooter.
An improved training programme along with communication between the hurling and football camps laid the foundations. Curran wasn’t prepared to oversee another undercooked minor side take to the field. Gary Hurney’s arrival as coach also boosted the sessions and his words are clearly sinking in. Even after letting the momentum slip against Tipperary through a late concession, positive energy continued to surge through the camp. This Déise team aim to entertain. Curran wants them to maintain that stance. “They don’t know anything better. Leave them play football." They are liberated to let their gifts shine but play as a unit at the same time. Curran hopes for a more vocal turnout than the dismal 277 last Tuesday.
Cork savaged Limerick (6-15 to 1-7) three weeks ago on home soil. The full forward trio of Damien Buckley, Michael Hurley and Shane Kingston collated 4-11. Middle man Hurley sticks out as the star attraction. “He’s an exceptional player, he has the potential to play at the highest level,” manager Donal O’Sullivan told the Irish Examiner following the lop-sided quarter final. The midfield pairing of Sean O’Leary and Brian Coakley means another step up in class for Cormac Curran and Conor Prunty to cope with. After missing out in Munster for the last three seasons, O’Sullivan set out his aims at the start of the campaign. “At the end of the day, this Cork team want to leave their own mark, they want to impress, they want to achieve. Cork football needs to be successful at this age group. Our ambition is to try and get to the latter stages of the competition.”
Both managements vote for unchanged line-ups to show their confidence and satisfaction in the displays to date. History and tradition points against an upset but Waterford have ignored these impositions so far. In this rare opening to a Munster final, they are unlikely to break with routine and lock the backdoor. The Clare inside line managed 1-7 with centre forward Keelan Sexton poaching 2-5 in addition and still lost out. On that basis, Waterford’s brave call to play ball may be about their best shot to make an exception to the rule of the Reds.
Munster Minor Football Semi Final
Waterford v Cork (7.30 at Fraher Field)
Referee: Eddie Walsh (Kerry)
Waterford: C Brown; C O’Neill, J Guiry, M Cronin; M Shine, E O’Halloran, J Mullaney; C Curran, C Prunty; D Guiry, C Murray, A Donnelly; J Allen, C Gleeson, D Lyons
Cork: C O’Driscoll; C O’Donovan, K Flahive, S Powter ; T Bushe, D Meaney, C Kiely; S O’Leary, B Coakley; S O’Donoghue, M Ó Duinnín, S Ronayne; S Kingston, M Hurley, D Buckley
Odds: Waterford 15/2 Draw 16/1 Cork 1/20
Story So Far
Quarter Final
Tipperary 2-11 Waterford 2-7
Semi Final Play-Off
Waterford 6-9 Clare 4-12
Scorers
Conor Gleeson 2-6 (3fs)
Joe Allen 2-5 (2fs)
Conor Prunty 2-0
Aaron Donnelly 1-0
Dylan Guiry 1-0
Jack Mullaney 0-2
Michael Sweeney 0-2
Cormac Curran 0-1
Quarter Final
Cork 6-15 Limerick 1-7
Scorers
Michael Hurley 2-4 (1f)
Damien Buckley 2-2 (2fs)
Shane Kingston 0-5
Sean O’Donoghue 1-1
Christopher Moynihan 1-0
Brian Coakley 0-1
Maidc Ó Duinnín 0-1
Seamus Ronayne 0-1
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