Cork 1-15
Waterford 1-14

by Thomas Keane

Cork pulled out all the stops at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field to keep their TG4 All-Ireland hopes alive as they beat Waterford thanks to a grandstand finish.

Cork, the reigning Lidl Division One league champions, looked set to bow out when they trailed by five points with seven minutes remaining but they staged a remarkable comeback to snatch victory at the death.

Waterford went in at the break with a 1-8 to 0-4 lead on the scoreboard. While Cork in the opening moments of this game had much of the ball, they were unable to break down a tight Waterford defence.

Waterford were first on the board when after a fine team movement which saw them bring the ball up the entire length of the field Kellyann Hogan fired over after four minutes.

Further scores from Clare Walsh, Brid McMaugh and another from Hogan followed for Waterford before Cork struck their first on nine minutes when Katie Quirke pointed from a free.

Lauren McGregor put the hosts four in front before Quirke got her second of the game, again from a free.

Karen McGrath and Clare Walsh played a one-two before McGrath having broke forward from her half back position palmed the ball to the net midway through the opening half.

Lauren McGregor picked up a yellow card nine minutes from the break but Cork were unable to make their numerical advantage tell as while Amee Corcoran and Emma Cleary hit points from play, scores at the other end from Brid McMaugh and Kellyann Hogan from free’s put Waterford comfortably in front at the break.

Cork started the second half brightly with points from Quirke and Leah Hallinan, but a brace from Kellyann Hogan by the 40-minute restored a seven-point advantage for Waterford.

Points from Rachel O’Regan and Sadbh McGoldrick for Cork brought them closer with the game in its final quarter. A Quirke free brought the gap down to four with 14 minutes remaining.

Katelyn Gardner had to get a huge touch on a Áine Terry O’Sullivan effort as Cork piled on the pressure. Karen McGrath did all the hard work herself before splitting the post to put Waterford four in front but picked up a head injury for her troubles.

Emma Cleary was set up by Melissa Duggan with seven minutes remaining but she ballooned her effort well over the crossbar to leave four between the sides.

Cork were handed a lifeline with just over two and a half minutes to play when they were awarded a penalty when Quirke was fouled inside the box by a combination of Cora Murray and Áine O’Neill. Quirke took the spot kick herself sending goalkeeper Gardner the wrong way.

Áine Terry O’Sullivan pointed with the aid of the upright and Rachel O’Regan followed up to draw the sides level with 62 seconds remaining and with Cork piling on the pressure Gardner had to save low down from O’Sullivan putting the ball out for a ’45. From the 45 metre line the ball was worked to Quirke who fired over with five second remaining to give her side what looked at one stage an unlikely victory.

Scorers: Cork: K Quirke 1-5 (1-0 pen, 4f), R O’Regan 0-3, A Terry O’Sullivan, E Cleary 0-2 each, L Hallinan, S McGoldrick, A Corcoran 0-1 each.

Waterford: K Hogan 0-8 (5f), K McGrath 1-1, B McMaugh 0-2, K Murray, C Walsh, L McGregor 0-1 each.

CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, S Kelly, D Kiniry; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; M O’Callaghan, K Redmond; R Leahy, L Hallihan, E Cleary; G Murphy, K Quirke, A O’Sullivan. Subs: R O’Regan for R Leahy (28), S Callanan for D Kiniry (HT), A Ring for G Murphy (44), K O’Driscoll for M Duggan (54).

WATERFORD: K Gardner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; L Cusack, K McGrath, R Browne; E Power, Á O’Neill; M Daly, K Hogan, K Murray; C Walsh, B McMaugh, L McGregor. Subs: A McGrath for L Cusack (44), C Fennell for B McMaugh (48), L Ni hArta for K McGrath (49) H McGrath for C Walsh (57).

Referee: R McBride (Dublin).

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