Cork’s hurlers can do no bloody wrong at the moment.
The Rebel’s minor side lit the touch paper last Sunday with a 17-point destruction of Clare. The Seniors followed suit with a youth-backed destruction of the Banner to turn Semple Stadium red.
The Under-21’s were in no mood to buck the trend on Thursday night when they completed a last-minute comeback to condemn Waterford to an agonising one-point defeat in their Munster semi-final meeting in Walsh Park.
It just goes to prove the old adage that winning breeds winning. Cork hurling is on a high at the moment and many of these under-21’s have been at the spearhead of this revival.
It struck as the type of game that a Cork side of last year wouldn’t have had the belief to go on and win, but with the confidence that is now oozing throughout the county, even a two-point deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time couldn’t deter them.
Charleville’s senior star Darragh Fitzgibbon was given his marching orders for an incident with Waterford ‘keeper Billy Nolan in the dying moments, and this looked like it would kill off the Rebel charge.
Their energetic substitute Jack O’Connor marauded up the field and won a very debatable penalty in the 65th minute, however.
The finish from man-of-the-match Declan Dalton was undoubted class considering the pressure.
It even had Offaly dead-ball specialist Shane Dooley waxing lyrical.
Balls on that @OfficialCorkGAA no.11 like a Bengali Tiger! Keeper came out to edge of box too! Some strike! @GAA_BEO
— Shane Dooley (@shanedoole) July 13, 2017
Dalton showed all kinds of class on the Walsh Park sod, notching 1-12, which included two sidelines, and his brilliance throughout the 65 minutes overshadowed the senior panellists on show.
The Leesiders lead by two points at half-time, with senior star Darragh Fitzgibbon oozing class and energy in the midfield section for John Meyler’s side.
The half-time interval wasn’t without controversy, however, with the PA announcing a car causing obstruction outside the ground. Bizarrely, the car emerged as being that of referee Fergal Horgan’s.
PA in Walsh Park announces car causing an obstruction. Apparently, it's the referee's. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) July 13, 2017
Waterford’s senior stars took control of the game after the break with Shane Bennett showing finesse and composure to net a goal that looked like it was to be the matchwinner. This goal was followed by two long rangers from Dungarvan sharpshooter Patrick Curran and the home crowd could smell victory.
WATCH THIS absolute dinger by @WaterfordGAA's Shane Bennett! https://t.co/UR4sMMj0jU via @officialgaa
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 13, 2017
Cork snatched it at the death and they had that man Dalton and his balls of steel to thank.
WATCH NOW! We have the best bits of the @BordGaisEnergy @WaterfordGAA v @OfficialCorkGAA U21 action over on #GAANOW https://t.co/GD4UKzahih
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 13, 2017
There’s no stopping the Leesiders.
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