Under-21 Hurling Provincial finals Cork 1-20, Waterford 0-10:Senior panellist Cathal Naughton proved the scoring inspiration for Cork, whose all-round superiority proved too much for a Waterford side making its first Munster under-21 final appearance since 1994.
Naughton, a substitute during last Sunday's epic All-Ireland quarter-final between the same counties at Croke Park, guided Cork to a comfortable win, their 18th provincial title at this level.
In all sectors of play, Cork proved stronger; their greater strength in possession and sharper attacking instincts proved too much for Waterford, who managed only four points from play. From the assured handling of goalkeeper Ken O'Halloran, the exquisite touch of centre back Eoghan Cadogan and the attacking quality provided by Naughton, the result was, in reality, never in doubt.
Cork settled very quickly in front of a 6,000-plus attendance and led by four points after 15 minutes. Having denied Pat Horgan a third-minute goal when stooping low to his left, there was little Waterford goalkeeper Darren Ryan could do about Cathal Naughton's blistering strike on the quarter hour.
Running onto a clever hand pass from full forward Eoghan Murphy, Naughton rifled the ball into the roof of the net as Cork's early dominance began to tell on the scoreboard. Two minutes later, the visitors stretched their advantage to five points with Naughton bringing his first half contribution to 1-2.
But, in an opening half hour Waterford gathered some momentum thanks to late points from Richie Foley and Pa Kearney. But by full-time, that five-point deficit was to prove as close as Waterford would get to the eventual winners.
After the interval, Cork fired over three early scores without reply through Adrian Mannix, Naughton and the commanding Cadogan, signalling the end of the Waterford challenge despite some reliable free-taking from Waterford's Mark Gorman.
CORK:K O'Halloran; J O'Callaghan, E Dillon, C O'Driscoll; S O'Neill, E Cadogan (0-2, 1 free), A Ryan; L Desmond (0-3), A Mannix (0-3); P Cronin(0-2f), K Canty (0-1), C Naughton (1-4); P Horgan (0-2), E Murphy (0-1), C O'Neill (0-2). Subs: J Halbert for Horgan (51 mins), M Walsh for P Cronin (58 mins), S White for S O'Neill (60 mins), B Corry for C O'Neill (60 mins).
WATERFORD:D Ryan; J Maher, J Kindregan, T Power; C Ryan, M Gaffney, R Foley (0-1); J O'Farrell, M Gorman (0-6, 5 frees, 1 65); M Fives, K Moran (0-1), S Walsh; S Casey, R O'Keeffe, P Kearney (0-2). Subs: P Hurney for M Gaffney (38 mins), K Landers for R O'Keeffe (57 mins).
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary)
