Cork 3-17 Waterford 2-12 A Brendan Barry-inspired Cork side pulled away in the closing quarter after Waterford forced them to battle all the way at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night.

Barry finished with a personal tally of 2-4. Ronan Conway's 44th-minute goal was also heavily influential even if Waterford had strong claims for a free out.

Mark Gorman scored Waterford's second goal a couple of minutes later to level matters for the seventh time, but the reigning champions scored seven points without reply in the closing 10 minutes for a flattering eight-point victory.

Cork got the ideal start with a third-minute goal from Barry, following a probing ball by midfielder Mark Harrington.

Waterford cancelled it out after 15 minutes. Tommy Power's superb sideline cut eluded Cork goalkeeper Ken O'Halloran, whose vision was seemingly affected by the sun.

But Barry's second goal three minutes later, following a determined run and powerful shot, restored Cork's lead, 2-1 to 1-2.

The teams were level at the interval. Waterford drew level a minute before the break with a Power point, 2-3 to 1-6, though they had it all to do on the resumption.

Cork made good use of the strong breeze and that proved the main difference between the sides.

CORK: K O'Halloran; C Murphy (0-1), E Dillon, E O'Sullivan; E Cadogan (0-1), A Ryan, S Cronin; C Naughton, M Harrington (0-1); R Conway (1-1), K Canty (0-1), P O'Brien; M O'Sullivan (0-6, frees), P Cronin (0-2), B Barry (2-4). Subs: M Walsh for Ryan (49 mins), G O'Leary for O'Brien (52 mins), D Dorris for Canty (56 mins).

Waterford: D Ryan; J O'Farrell, J Kindergan, M O'Brien; R Foley (0-1), K Moran, W Hutchinson; S O'Sullivan (0-5, one free, one 65), D Russell; J Shanahan, L Lawlor, T Power (1-1); M O'Gorman (1-2), M Fives, G O'Connor (0-1). Subs: D Hickey (0-1) for O'Farrell (29 mins), M Gaffney (0-1) for Shanahan (half-time), P Kearney for Lawlor (42 mins), M Kearney for Power (54 mins).

Referee: B White (Tipperary).