All-Ireland MHC Semi-final/ Kilkenny 0-15; Cork 2-8: Evidence for the continued well-being of the Kilkenny hurling dynasty is usually sought in the performances of the county's minor teams, and yesterday's showing at Croke Park will have proved most reassuring.
The majestic skills of Donncha Cody and Richie Power stood out as the All-Ireland minor title holders progressed into yet another under-18 final.
Cody, son of senior team manager Brian, and Power, an offspring of former county stalwart Richie, were inspirational figures as Kilkenny proved successful in the catch-up game.
The Leinster side persisted in the belief they had the beating of Cork and eventually drew level with one of Power's eight pointed frees (he hit 11 points in all) 10 minutes into the second half.
The Kikenny defence proved increasingly difficult for Cork to breach thereafter and Cody played a major role in the half-back line, initially at centre back and later at right wing back.
David Prendergast and John Tennyson challenged Cody right to the final whistle for best-defender status.
Prendergast delighted the crowd with one particular clearance in the first half when he lost his hurley in a crowded area but managed to lift the sliotar jammed between his boots and clear.
Kilkenny were down a goal and a point within five minutes of the start and struggled to get on terms against the defensive qualities of Cork captain and full back Niall Horgan, and centre back Michael Aherne, who gave Cork a three-point lead off a 65 early in the second half.
A number of astute positional switches, not least Cody's switch to wing back, made for improvement, and some spectacular moves and scores were executed by the more experienced Kilkenny attackers.
The pressure began to weigh heavily on Cork and Power brought Kilkenny to within a point with two brilliantly struck frees.
The gifted Carrickshock prospect soon regained his touch to strike not only the equaliser off a free but also, within a couple of minutes, the lead point from Cody's pass.
Cork introduced Diarmuid Doris and the Glen Rovers youth made an immediate impact. Only a great rob by Cody at he expense of a 65 denied him a goal but the sprightly Cork substitute later turned in a great run to finish to the Kilkenny net and leave only a point between the sides in the closing minute.
KILKENNY: C Grant; S Cadogan, J Tennyson, J Dalton; P O'Donovan, D Cody, D Prendergast; M Fennelly (0-1), P Hartley (0-1); D McCormack, R Power (0-11, eight frees), A Healy; R Wall, J Fitzpatrick (0-1), E Guinan (0-1). Sub: A Murphy for Healy.
CORK: E O'Sullivan; E O'Sullivan, N Horgan, S O'Neill; S Cronin, M Aherne (0-1,65), B Clifford; B Coleman, E Manning (0-1); M Harrington, K Canty (1-1), R Conway (0-2); M O'Sullivan (0-3, two frees), B Barry, A Ó hAilpín. Subs: B Beckett for McCormack (half-time), D Lucey for Cronin 45 mins, D Doris (1-0) for Conway 48 mins.
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).
