Seán O’Donoghue, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Alan Connolly were the stand-out performers in red in Walsh Park on Sunday
Pressed on his puck-outs, retaining just over half (54%), compared to Waterford’s 66%. Still produced a handful of assists from those that found their target. Both goals were well-taken, with Stephen Bennett’s flick of the wrists wrongfooting him for the penalty. Made a routine stop from another Bennett chance.
Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills)
Booked in the 19th minute for a foul on Dessie Hutchinson, which summed up an indifferent start. Once he warmed to his role, he did keep Kevin Mahony quiet. Couldn’t stop Jamie Barron’s goal but did prevent Bennett from bagging another and added a late point from distance.
Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
Another costly red card against Waterford, his third time being sent off in championship for consecutive yellows. Both cautions were unnecessary too, the first being off the ball and the second before Patrick Fitzgerald had secured possession. Stephen Bennett didn’t do excessive damage on him, but had plenty of shots.
Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra, captain)
Cork’s best defensive performer. Got off to a strong start and held Dessie Hutchinson scoreless from play until the 71st minute. Composed on the ball and bar one poor clearance, took the right options.
Mark Coleman (Blarney)
Part of a half-back line that was far too porous, but got in the way to deny Mikey Kiely a goal. He came into his own when switched to midfield. Centrally involved in five of Cork’s six points either side of half-time but gave one back with a misplaced pass.
Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr)
Conceded the penalty and black-carded for 10 minutes after taking down Jack Prendergast. Also let Jamie Barron ghost in behind him for the opening goal. Was positive on the ball but frequently pulled out of his central position by Waterford’s movement and couldn’t cover effectively.
Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
Fire-fighting in a Cork half-back line that was in a panic under long balls. Got a vital block on a Kiely shot, but the play was called back for a tap-over free. Assisted two second-half points and won a late free for Alan Connolly to convert.
Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)
Couldn’t make his usual impact in midfield against the hard-running Darragh Lyons and was switched into the half-backs to track Barron. Produced some big moments such as a never-say-die hook on Kiely but caught wrong side on the long ball to Prendergast which led to Waterford’s penalty.
Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
A rare bright spark for Cork with his superb long-range shooting taking four points from four shots inside 38 minutes before creating two more. Often galloped into space as he matched the return from play of the rest of his teammates in the first half.
Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
An unimpactful first half, which was characterised by two misses but was much sharper in the second, slotting two points. Replaced by Luke Meade on the hour mark as the third forward called ashore.
Conor Lehane (Midleton)
Dropped into pockets to pick up plenty of possession, but the radar was off as he sprayed three wides before landing his only point on the stroke of half-time. Withdrawn in the 52nd minute for Brian Hayes.
Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers)
Never got to the pitch of the game on his debut and couldn’t find the score or assist he needed to ease him in. A frustrated figure, he was booked on the half-hour and didn’t reappear for the second half, with Robbie O’Flynn introduced.
Shane Barrett (Blarney)
Had the better of his duel with Kieran Bennett and never stopped working. Won three first-half frees for Patrick Horgan to convert and had five shots of his own from play, netting three points. Some impressive scores among them, winning his own ball and surviving tough tackles.
Alan Connolly (Blackrock)
When he was fed, he scored 1-4 from five shots, including two late frees. Had a run on the rusty Conor Prunty as he took the full-back on successfully for each of his three scores from play. 7-7 in three games now but needs more supply and support from his teammates.
Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
Slotted his seven frees, as we’ve come to expect, but mixed in with three wides from play, including a costly and uncharacteristic second-half miss. Well-tagged by Iarlaith Daly and was sacrificed for defender Eoin Downey after Cork were reduced to 13 men.
Subs
Pat Ryan replaced four of his starting six forwards, with Robbie O’Flynn and Brian Hayes both picking up points off the bench but unable to turn the tide. O’Flynn took a while to get going but once he did, he also won a late free, which Connolly was instructed to tap over the bar. Luke Meade added legs around the middle, Eoin Downey was called upon to patch up the defence, and Jack O’Connor produced a hook in his three-minute cameo.
