Cork survive late drama against Waterford to claim Munster minor title
Munster MHC final: Cork 1-20 Waterford 2-15
Cork held on to claim victory in the Electric Ireland Munster MHC final at a sunny FBD Semple Stadium on Friday night.
Waterford's comeback from five points down in the 62nd minute to make it a one-point game made for a dramatic finish.
Cormac Spain, who tallied 2-10, fired a brilliant goal for Waterford in the fourth minute of the seven second-half additional minutes, 1-15 to 0-19, it followed a Dylan Murphy point.
Immediately Cork sub Sam Ring went down field and raised a green flag.
Jack Power then claimed a high delivery in around the danger area and was fouled, Spain clinically fired the close-in free to the bottom corner of the net, 2-15 to 1-19.
With the result up for grabs Ring was fouled and Craig O'Sullivan sent over the free from out the field for a two-point cushion.
Waterford will have regrets, especially their first-half inefficiency.
But it was Cork who stuck to the script after victory in the round-robin as well to clinch a first title since 2021 and their 35th in total.
There was an unfortunate leg injury to Callum Coffey in the second half but in a lovely gesture he was brought onto the field afterwards with his team mates gathering around him along with the John Doyle Perpetual Cup.
Fergal McCormack's side started with four points to Waterford's one with Ruairc Donovan getting the scoreboard moving. Within a minute Spain had replied, but Cork responded well with hard-working midfielder Tom A Walsh who also received the Player of the Match award, getting in on the act.
By the 10th minute Waterford gained parity with Spain the main provider but it was Murphy's white flag that drew them level four points apiece.
Cormac Deane then pushed Cork in front as Tom C Walsh brought off a fine save from Shane Power.
Meanwhile Cork piled on the pressure, beginning with the excellent movement of a very active half-back line of Michael T Brosnan, captain Bobby Carroll and Colm Garde.
Up front they struck five points without reply.
Waterford were getting no return from their own puckouts and eight first-half wides - six for Cork - contributed to their downfall.
When Denis Fitzgerald blocked a Spain shot on goal, another opportunity went amiss.
The Déise trailed 0-11 to 0-6 at the end of the half.
Noticeably Cork's scoring was distributed between six players to Waterford's three.
They extended the lead to seven 10 minutes into the second half.
Despite the margin growing and goal chances going astray at both ends, James O'Connor's side started to work their way back.
Coffey was stretchered off and this caused a delay, however with 10 minutes remaining the score was 0-16 to 0-12.
It was the eight additional minutes that provided all the drama.
Scorers for Cork: C O'Sullivan (0-8, 0-3 frees), S Ring (1-0), T A Walsh (0-3), R Donovan, R Dineen, C Deane and E O'Shea (0-2 each), S Coughlan (0-1).
Scorers for Waterford: C Spain (2-10, 1-6 frees, 0-1 65), D Murphy (0-2), J Zeljkovic, H Quann and S Power (0-1 each).
CORK: T C Walsh (Aghada); D Heavin (Russell Rovers), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), C Lawton (Midleton); M T Brosnan (Glen Rovers), B Carroll (Dromina, Capt), C Garde (Lisgoold); T A Walsh (Carrigtwohill), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); C O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), C Deane (Killeagh), R Donovan (Fermoy); S Coughlan (Passage), C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), E O'Shea (Ballinhassig).
Subs: R Dineen (Erin's Own) for J Counihan (half-time), S Ring (Carrigtwohill) for C Coffey (41 inj), C Hanratty (Carrigaline) for E O'Shea (51), D Winters (Courcey Rovers) for S Coughlan (63).
WATERFORD: J Comerford (Ballygunner, Capt); C Lynch (Geraldines), D Murphy (St. Mary's East), D Keane (De La Salle); B Penkert (Mount Sion), H Quann (Lismore), C Power (De La Salle); J Power (Ballygunner), E Burke (Roanmore); G O'Shea (St. Mollerans), S Power (De La Salle), C Reville (Roanmore); J Shanahan (Erins Own), C Spain (Ballygunner), D Murphy (Roanmore).
Subs: J Zeljkovic (Tramore) for E Burke (half-time), T Kennedy (Mount Sion) for C Power (36), P Quann (Dungarvan) for C Reville (56).
Referee: Ciarán O'Donovan (Tipperary).
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