Cork 3-17 Wexford 0-18:JIMMY BARRY-MURPHY'S second coming as Cork hurling manager began in earnest with an impressive eight-point win over understrength Waterford at a packed Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night. The legend's return has created a buzz on Leeside and the official attendance of 7,356 was one of the biggest since the ground was redeveloped almost 20 years ago.
The introduction of a couple of teenagers helped increase the feel-good factor and both Conor Lehane and Darren Sweetnam made significant contributions to Cork’s opening league success.
Midleton’s Lehane, a first year UCC student, was sensational, scoring seven points from play in a man-of-the-match performance, highlighted by an array of outstanding scores. Leaving Cert student Sweetnam showed his promise at midfield and scored a point before being replaced after 50 minutes.
“It wouldn’t haven taken a genius to pick Conor in our team because everyone in Cork knows he is a major talent. I thought he was excellent, not only in scoring, but in his overall contribution,” Barry-Murphy said afterwards.
Three goals in nine first-half minutes decided the contest as Cork swept 12 points in front at one stage approaching half-time.
The experienced Ben O’Connor and Pa Cronin combined for Paudie O’Sullivan to score the first of his pair after 20 minutes to make it 1-6 to 0-3 and a couple in quick succession rocked Waterford, who couldn’t cope with Cork’s pace up front.
Lehane turned provider for Cathal Naughton’s goal in the 24th minute and the visitors’ defence was caught again, when a long free from goalkeeper and captain Donal Óg Cusack dropped for O’Sullivan to score from close range to make it 3-8 to 0-5.
Waterford appeared to be heading for a right drubbing at this juncture, but they improved considerably, though that much-needed goal rarely looked like materialising as Cork’s defence remained defiant all through.
A couple of late points from Martin O’Neill and Paudie Mahony reduced the margin to 3-8 to 0-7 at half-time and Waterford were the dominant team in the third quarter due to Kevin Moran’s influence at centre back and Stephen Molumphy and Paul O’Brien’s impact at midfield.
The visitors reduced the deficit to five points, 3-10 to 0-14 after 51 minutes, but Cork were still able to add to their tally, notably, when corner back Brian Murphy picked out Cronin for a super point. Lehane came into his own in the closing quarter, when he scored four points, including a couple of spectacular efforts from close to the left touchline before being replaced near the end to a huge ovation.
“ Winning your home games is a huge factor in this league, but we will be very hard on the players for our poor start to both halves. You must take into account that Waterford had a number of defections before the start and we will definitely have to improve before playing Dublin in Croke Park,” said a pleased Barry-Murphy.
CORK: D Óg Cusack; B Murphy, S McDonnell, S O’Neill; J Gardiner, R Cashman, W Egan; S Óg Ó hAilpín (0-1), D Sweetnam (0-1); C Lehane (0-7), P Cronin (0-1), C Naughton (1-1); P Horgan (0-4, one free), P O’Sullivan (2-1), B O’Connor (0-1). Subs: T Kenny for D Sweetnam (50 mins), L McLoughlin for Gardiner (55 mins), L Farrell for Naughton (65 mins), B Corry for Lehane (68 mins).
WATERFORD: I O’Regan; Philip Mahony, D Fives, S Daniels; J Nagle (0-1), K Moran (0-1), D Prendergast; S Molumphy, P O’Brien (0-1); S Prendergast (0-1), M Walsh, Paudie Mahony (0-4, three frees); M O’Neill (0-5, three frees), S Walsh, S Casey (0-1. Subs: E McGrath (0-1) for S Walsh (ht), P Prendergast for D Prendergast and G O’Brien (0-2) for O’Neill (58 mins), T Ryan (0-1) for Casey (61 mins), T Twomey for S Prendergast (67 mins).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).
