Waterford contain Cork to ignite Munster hopes

As Davy Fitzgerald crouched in celebration on the sideline and the public address roared 'up the Déise', there was no doubting that Waterford are a live force in Championship 2024.

The points weren’t secure until the end but the hosts were never led from Jamie Barron’s second-minute goal.

They still needed Stephen Bennett’s 58th-minute penalty, which saw Ciarán Joyce black-carded, and Cork were down to 13 for a spell when Damien Cahalane was sent off for a second yellow.

Alan Connolly’s late goal brought the Rebels back into contention but down three and with little more than 30 seconds left, their sideline signalled for the Blackrock man to point a late free. They wouldn’t get a chance for a goal as Patrick Curran slotted the clincher.

For these two teams who missed out on qualification last year, Waterford have the oxygen of a winning start while Cork face into a home clash with Clare which has a strong sense of do-or-die.

On a glorious day in the Sunny South East, Walsh Park was packed with 11,973 fans, including more than a fair share from across the county bounds.

Waterford entered with precious little game-time in the legs of Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly, Tadhg de Búrca, and Bennett but, when it mattered, they kept going until the very end.

Coming off a four-game league losing streak, they had the greater need for a fast start. They got it in the second minute when Shaun O’Brien’s puck-out ran on for Barron, stationed at wing-forward, to race away and blast to the net.

The Cork half-back line were too porous and lacking cover on those long puck-outs. Barron would break through again but Neil Montgomery was bottled up when play broke down. In similar circumstances, Mikey Kiely had a shot deflected off Mark Coleman and out