Sport

Barry Murphy wins battle of managerial wits

GERALD McCARTHY was the only Corkman not to be smiling at the end of this one sided tie at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday

Mon Mar 31 1997 - 01:00

GERALD McCARTHY was the only Corkman not to be smiling at the end of this one sided tie at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday. The Waterford coach now knows the full extent of the challenge facing his side with the championship just around the corner.

Cork were full value for this surprisingly easy victory, which leaves them joint top with Dublin, and their Parnell Park meeting in a fortnight should reveal that bit more to Jimmy Barry Murphy and company, who had to call up John O'Driscoll at full back in place of the injured Pat Mulcahy.

Waterford were rocked by a blistering opening by Cork, who scored five points on the trot. The visitors' charitable defence then gifted Cork a soft 12th minute goal and there was simply no way back after that. A second goal mid way through the second half had the crowd rushing for the exits.

Waterford's opening score took all of 11 minutes to come, Barry Walsh obliging, but Cork retaliated from the puck out to claim the important first goal. A harmless ball from Alan Browne didn't seem to pose too much threat until Mark O'Sullivan and goalkeeper Ray Whitty fumbled between them and Sean McGrath took full advantage.

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Waterford came more into the game in the second quarter with centre forward Ken McGrath enjoying some promising moments against Brian Corcoran and right half back Tony Browne hurtling in to the action after a slow start. Paul Elynn's accuracy from frees kept Waterford in touch, but Cork still held a comfortable 1-8 to 0-5 interval lead.

However, McGrath killed the contest with his second goal. Again the bustling play of full forward Browne played a major role in the build up as he placed McGrath with a clever pass. Cork's top scorer did the rest, leaving goalkeeper Whitty helpless with a close range shot.

After 45 minutes, Cork led by 2-9 to 0-7 and the league points were safely in the bag.

Whitty, at least, had the satisfaction of denying McGrath his hat trick when confronted by the Corkman in the closing stages. McGrath attempted to lob the ball over the goalkeeper's head, but Whitty did brilliantly to turn the ball away for a 65.