As it turned out, it just wasn’t their day.
Waterford flew out of the blocks in Croke Park on Sunday, with an early Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh goal setting the wheels in motion for a rampant Déise drive.
The Rebels, despite staying in contention for long stages, never looked fully at the races.
Their forward unit, which had been so slick and polished in every game up to the semi-final never really clicked.
Their record Championship scorer Patrick Horgan gave one of his best displays to date in a Cork jersey, as any ball that came near him looked destined to end up with a white flag, but apart from the Glen Rovers man, none of the other Cork forwards hit the heights they have set for themselves.
Conor Lehane was well held by Conor Gleeson, Seamus Harnedy’s was shackled by his man while Alan Cadogan and Shane Kingston threatened, but only delivered intermittently.
Luke Meade, a man who has been a breath of fresh air on the Championship so far, also struggled to get to the pace of the game.
Kieran Kingston revealed after the game that Alan Cadogan had been struggling with cellulitis in the build-up, while Luke Meade, on top of being sick, only had a pin removed from his broken finger a week before the game.
This goes a way to explaining the struggles the Rebels encountered, but one thing’s for sure is that this year really is only the beginning for the Leesiders.
Alan Cadogan and Luke Meade had been sick coming into the game, says Cork selector Pat Hartnett. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 13, 2017
There is so much youth and so much talent in that squad that provides this blip with a silver lining.
Darragh Fitzgibbon gave a tour de force in the second half from midfield, as his direct running alone took the game to the Déise. Mark Coleman displayed the type of wristy skill and composure that we have come to associate with him while Colm Spillane and others tried hard.
Talent is one thing, but it won’t get you too far without the right attitude, but with Newcestown club man Luke Meade out coaching the stars of tomorrow in a Cork Cúl camp just a day after the Croke Park heartbreak, you just know the future of Cork hurling is in good hands.
Cork Hurling Star Luke Meade back Coaching today at @sammaguiresGAA Cul Camp. Outstanding . @OfficialCorkGAA pic.twitter.com/AhvYuhhfX5
— CorkGDAJamesMcCarthy (@gda_mc) August 14, 2017
Fair play to him.
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