Waterford IT 1-20
Cork IT 0-19
(after extra-time)

In what can only be described as a thrilling semi-final encounter in Limerick today, Waterford IT finished with four points to spare over Cork IT.

A repeat of last year's final, the last four clash lived up to all the pre-match expectations and the holders outscored their opponents by eight points to four in extra-time to book their place in tomorrow night's final.

It was cruel luck on Cork IT who opened the scoring through Cian Buckley in the second minute but the sides couldn't be separated during an entertaining first-half and they went in level at the break on 0-7 apiece.

Pat Mulcahy's charges enjoyed the brighter start to the second-half, however, and four points without reply from Bubbles O'Dwyer (free), John Cronin, Aidan Walsh and Buckley placed them in the driving seat.

Austin Gleeson pulled a point back for the Colm Bonnar coached outfit and the sides were level again in the 44th minute when the young Deise star fielded a long delivery from Martin O'Neill before striking for the game's only goal.

In a thrilling climax, Pauric Mahony edged Waterford in front entering the final 10 minutes before Bill Cooper replied for the team in red and white hoops.

With two minutes left on the clock, Mahony sent over his fifth point of the day but, soon after at the other end of the field, Buckley pointed to send the tie into extra-time as it finished Cork IT 0-15, Waterford IT 1-12 at the end of normal time.

Waterford IT - D Stapleton; T Fox, G Teehan, J Maher; T Hamill, M O'Neill, O McGrath; J Langton, S Roche; H Kehoe, P Mahony (0-8, 5f, 1'65), A Gleeson (1-6, 0-1sl); G O'Brien (0-4), L McGrath, J Dillon (0-1). Subs: J Hayes (0-1) for L McGrath, S O'Neill for O McGrath, G Malone for G O'Brien, E Ryan for H Kehoe, P Campion for J Dillon.

Cork IT - G Minihane; S Murphy, A Dennehy, T Lawrence; J Herlihy, M Ellis, C Buckley (0-3); Aidan Walsh (0-2), W Murphy; N McNamara (0-2), J Cronin (0-2), B Cooper (0-2); J O'Dwyer (0-5, 3f, 1'65), C Hammersley, K Kavanagh (0-1). Subs: M Russell for W Murphy, P White for N McNamara, J Coughlan for K Kavanagh, D Lordan (0-2, 1f) for C Hammersley.

Referee - F Horgan.

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