Waterford fall in the final furlong

The seven-point margin on the scoreboard at the end of yesterday's Church & General National Hurling League final might have…

The seven-point margin on the scoreboard at the end of yesterday's Church & General National Hurling League final might have been an overly-generous reflection of Cork's superiority, but Waterford could hardly complain.

Their 10 second-half wides actually exceeded Cork's total for the entire game. In the end, the match conformed to most preconceptions with Cork too consistent throughout the field and their forwards too economical for somewhat nervous opponents but Waterford were competitive and in touch for most of the contest.

As late as the 51st minute, the scores were level and Waterford had been dominating exchanges, principally through the agency of their commanding half-back line. By rights they should have been cushioned by a comfortable lead. Instead, the lights were about to go out.

Mark Landers made ground from right wing back and sent in a long, dropping ball which fell for Waterford left corner back Mark O'Sullivan. Under pressure from Sean O'Farrell, O'Sullivan lost possession and in the ensuing scramble, Alan Browne emerged with the ball in his hand and disdaining the hurley - as he often does when scoring goals - the Cork full forward kicked the ball in to the right-hand corner of the net.

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You could almost sense the deflation of Waterford. Cork outscored them 0-5 to 0-1 in the time remaining and looked impervious to their demoralised opponents' late rallies which yielded one goal chance which Ger Cunningham comfortably saved.

Despite the lop-sided conclusion, it had been a gripping match and whereas Waterford will have plenty of cause for regret, the experience will have benefited them. Contrary to some of the darker fears expressed in the county last week, they stood the test well and were not humiliated in defeat.

There will be disappointment at the misfiring displays of the two star forwards, Paul Flynn and Ken McGrath, but both are young enough to chalk it down to experience.

McGrath was hardly helped by a wallop from the ball just before half-time and had been engaged in a lively tussle with most people's man-of-the-match Brian Corcoran. The other major contributor to the semi-final defeat of Limerick, Billy O'Sullivan, was also subdued and ended up being substituted in the second half.

Gerald McCarthy has reason to be very satisfied with his defence despite the preventable nature of the two goals conceded. Tom Feeney acquitted himself well on Joe Deane, who despite winning a reasonable supply of ball, was frequently disconcerted by tight marking.

Sean Cullinane followed up his impressive semi-final job on Gary Kirby with a storming start and a fine first half, but he had a more troubled second. In front of them, the much-commended half-back partnership of Stephen Frampton, Fergal Hartley and Brian Greene had a majestic second half with Hartley in particular raising his game after a difficult opening half-hour on Fergal McCormack.

There were two basic factors underpinning Waterford's defeat. Most obviously there were the wides shot in the second half when the team had momentum and were turning the screw on Cork everywhere except on the scoreboard.

Secondly, all through the match but especially during a first half when the flow was also going quite well for them, Waterford were unable to shake off their opponents. Six times Waterford led by a point and on five such occasions Cork had equalised within a minute.

That ability to take chances, irrespective of their fortunes in general play, was one of the winners' foundations for success. The other, as is frequently the case in this type of match, was Cork's dogged defensive work which played a large part in restricting Waterford's capacity to convert possession.

Corcoran was the outstanding figure. From the heart of the defence, he rolled up his sleeves and scrapped for ball as well as performing the more elegant features of his formidable repertoire.

At one stage towards the end of the first half, the ball appeared exclusively responsive to his personal remote control and every time he took possession there followed a soaring clearance.

On either side of him, Mark Landers and Sean O hAilpin had mixed afternoons with Dan Shanahan giving O hAilpin a tricky start to the afternoon and Landers, despite some storming forays up the wing, conceding three points to Dave Bennett.

Midfield broke evenly enough but Tony Browne was again the most resourceful performer in the area.

The excellence of both defences was reflected in a low-scoring beginning. It took until the seventh minute for Paul Flynn to open the scoring. Seanie McGrath equalised and the tit-for-tat scoring got underway.

Ken McGrath was showing some astonishing touches and prodigious striking from out the field - one snap shot going wide all the way from his own 65 and another setting Anthony Kirwan up for a point.

The decisive moment in the first half was on 28 minutes when Corcoran started a move, Pat Ryan pulled and McCormack moved it into Sean O'Farrell who turned and bulldozed his way into range before cracking a shot to the net.

It was the high point of a good afternoon for the Carrigtwohill youngster who was wisely retained by Jimmy Barry Murphy and his selectors after an indifferent display against Clare. He ended the afternoon with 1-3, the points coming in dramatic contributions at the end. His hefty physique gives the team options at full forward and he and Alan Browne did in fact switch in the later stages.

Although Sean McGrath began the second half with a point, bringing his tally to the characteristic three, it was Waterford who piled on the pressure. Points from Bennett, Kirwan and Flynn tied up the match at 1-7 to 0-10.

Unfortunately for Waterford, the inability to take chances slowly drained their morale and once Browne struck for the decisive goal most people in the crowd of 32,890 could hum the rest of it.

Cork: G Cunningham; F Ryan, J Browne, D O'Sullivan; M Landers, B Corcoran, S O hAilpin; P Ryan (0-2, both frees), M Daly; S McGrath (0-3), F McCormack (0-1), K Morrison (0-2); S O'Farrell (1-3), A Browne (1-0), J Deane (0-3). Sub: B Egan for Daly (49 mins).

Waterford: B Landers; T Feeney, S Cullinane, M O'Sullivan; S Frampton, F Hartley (0-1), B Greene; T Browne, P Queally; D Shanahan (0-1), K McGrath (0-1), D Bennett (0-3); B O'Sullivan, A Kirwan (0-2), P Flynn (0- 5, four frees, one 65). Sub: M White for B O'Sullivan (51 mins).

Referee: A MacSuibhne (Dublin).