All-Ireland SHC Semi-final/Cork v Waterford: Considering the conditions underfoot, yesterday was a dream advertisement for the game of hurling. It was fantastic viewing for the neutral but desperately disappointing for Waterford. I feel genuine sympathy for their supporters and players alike, but this is what Cork do. They survive.

Both sets of players deserve massive credit for coping with the surface but even more so I must commend Offaly referee Brian Gavin's performance. That was some of the most intelligent adjudicating of a hurling contest I have ever seen. He could so easily have ruined the game by blowing up at every turn but he let the action flow.

I couldn't understand why some Waterford players pursued Gavin off the pitch afterwards. Besides one dodgy non-call, when Diarmuid O'Sullivan fouled John Mullane, they could have very little grievance. The last-gasp free by Ken McGrath was even a little generous - for a soft foul on Tony Browne.

A draw would have been a fair result. Hurling could've done with another meeting of Cork and Waterford but in the end it came down to fractions.

Eoin Kelly missing a late free is an obvious regret. He had been hitting them well all day but, with Paul Flynn on the pitch, the duties should have switched to the more reliable striker. Flynn as captain should have taken on the responsibility himself. In contrast, Joe Deane sought out the difficult jobs 60 yards out. He landed some frees from the very limit of his natural range.

Clinton Hennessy was guilty of one poor short puck-out in the last 15 minutes when Waterford needed possession to be driven downfield. His short pass to Ken McGrath went over the sideline, and another delivery from McGrath missed Tony Browne and also went out of play.

Deane pointed a free from one of these but, more importantly, it cost Waterford precious seconds to mount another attack.

Then there was Ronan Curran's performance down the home straight. He just decided to shut up shop along the Cork half-back line with some breathtaking catches. Cork dominated midfield and it was a surprise that Michael Walsh wasn't switched there sooner.

Cork manager John Allen's decision to replace the impressive Neil Ronan with 19-year-old Cathal Naughton with 15 minutes remaining was inspired. It was on a par, for courage under fire, with last year's semi-final victory over Clare when Allen pulled Brian Corcoran and Ronan Curran.

Naughton's 1-1 proved the winning of the game.

There were other little battles that went Cork's way. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín beat Dan Shanahan hands down. Waterford were never going to pull clear with their best forward this season being held to one point, which was a gift from Seán Óg anyway.

Niall McCarthy broke enough ball to be given the nod in his duel with Ken McGrath, although Ken still had a fine game. However, the real powerhouse in the Waterford half-back line was Tony Browne although crucially he tired in the final stages.

All these little differences are why Cork must be considered a great team. Their inner drive is why they find themselves just one victory off a three-in-a-row.

Considering the weather, I couldn't praise both goalkeepers enough but Donal Óg Cusack fully deserved the man of the match award (Curran, Corcoran and Timmy McCarthy also deserve honourable mentions).

Under enormous pressure, Donal Óg had the presence of mind to bring down Ken McGrath's last-gasp free, which the majority of goalkeepers would have let fly over the bar. Goalkeepers are warned never to bat down in traffic. It denies a point but, equally, you may deliver a goal on a plate. Donal Óg had the ability to bat the ball 15 yards out to the corner, where Brian Corcoran appeared under Hill 16 scrapping for possession like a man possessed. It was the difference between victory, defeat or a draw yet Cusack made the decision in an instant.

While the rain ensured a slippy surface, the Croke Park authorities have a genuine problem regarding the pitch. When a player turns quickly he is guaranteed to lose his footing. For top level sport, this is simply unacceptable.