Craig O'Sullivan puts seal on Cork minor success despite Cormac Spain's heroics for Waterford
The young men in red led by five points after 62 minutes but a never-say-die Déise nearly forced extra time. Top scorer Spain hopped the ball into the net but Cork sub Sam Ring hit back straight away with a green flag at the other end.
On 66 minutes, Spain found the bottom corner from a close range free with a Paul Flynn-esque strike. It brought the Ballygunner hotshot's tally to 2-10 for the game and 5-50 in this year's championship.
Ring won a vital free at the death however and O'Sullivan celebrated as it sailed between the posts. The number 12 finished an eventful evening with eight points (five from play) and seven wides and a total of 47 points for the season.
Wing backs Michael T Brosnan and Colm Garde played starring roles for Fergal McCormack's charges. They dominated puckouts and won crucial frees. Midfielder Tom A Walsh clipped over three points from play in the first half. Substitute Ryan Dineen weighed in with two in the second period.
Callum Coffey was stretchered off for the winners in the third quarter and the game was held up for six minutes. The stricken full forward re-emerged for the trophy presentation and a chant of "There's only one Callum Coffey!' coming from the jubilant Rebels.
This was Cork's first provincial title at this grade since 2021. The 16-year wait goes on for Waterford.
SCORERS – Cork: C O'Sullivan 0-8 (3fs), S Ring 1-0, TA Walsh 0-3, R Donovan, C Deane, E O'Shea, R Dineen 0-2 each, S Coughlan 0-1. Waterford: C Spain 2-10 (1-6fs, 1 65), D Murphy 0-2, H Quann, S Power, J Zeljkovic 0-1 each.
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Irish Examiner
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