Gaelic Games

Cork run amok early on to rout holders Waterford

Rebels enjoyed a half-time advantage of 15 points in Mallow

Andrew O’Sullivan got the first of Cork’s three goals in the McGrath Cup game against Waterford in Mallow. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Andrew O’Sullivan got the first of Cork’s three goals in the McGrath Cup game against Waterford in Mallow. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Thu Jan 14 2016 - 21:50

Cork 3-19 Waterford 1-5

Cork qualified to meet Clare in the final of the McGrath Cup after routing the holders Waterford in Mallow on Thursday night.

They had the game in the bag by half-time, when holding a commanding 15-point advantage after Cork’s forwards ran amok.

The home side got the ideal start with an eighth-minute goal following an impressive move, started by Ian Maguire and carried on by Tomás Clancy and James Loughrey for Andrew O’Sullivan to fist home.

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And within three minutes they grabbed a second, when Daniel Goulding’s high delivery was flicked to the net by full forward Peter Kelleher.

A couple of Ruairi Deane points stretched Cork’s lead to eight points inside 13 minutes before Waterford settled with two Paul Whyte points in quick succession.

However, a fortunate second Kelleher goal in the 24th minute – his high shot dipping under the crossbar – made the holders’ task even more difficult as Cork led by 3-10 to 0-4 at the break.

Shaun Corcoran pulled a goal back on the resumption but Waterford played with 14 men for the closing quarter following a black card to Maurice O’Gorman after using all six substitutes.

CORK: B O'Connell; C O'Driscoll, J O'Sullivan, K Histon; T Clancy, J Loughrey, B Daly (0-1); I Maguire, A O'Sullivan (1-0); R Deane (0-2), L Connolly (0-1), M Collins (0-2); D Goulding, (0-6, one free), P Kelleher (2-0), B Hurley (0-4, two frees).

Subs: J Davis (0-1) for Histon and B Coughlan (0-1) for Connolly (half-time), S Hickey (0-1) for Maguire (48 mins), K O'Hanlon for Deane (58 mins), L Harrington for Loughrey (60 mins), M Collins for O'Driscoll (62 mins).

WATERFORD: S Barron; T O Hullachain, T O'Gorman, B Looby; M Curry, J McGrath, R O Ceallaigh; C Prunty, T Prendergast; M O'Halloran (0-1), D Breathnach, D Allen; D Power, P Whyte (0-3), S Corcoran (1-1, free).

Subs: D Whitty for Barron, M O'Gorman for O Ceallaigh, L Lawlor for Breathnach, G Crotty for Power, JJ Hutchinson for Allen (all half-time), L O Currain for Lawlor (inj, 40 mins).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary)