It will be take two on Saturday at Semple Stadium when these two sides contest the first Munster final replay since 1998.
Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald was adamant that his side deserved another crack at the Rebels, but the truth is that were it not for a very dodgy decision to award a last-gasp 20-metre free the Déise would have lost last Sunday.
Not that any neutrals will be complaining after we were treated to a cracking encounter. There was criticism of the quality of fare in the first half, but aside from a few poor efforts on goal it was still a reasonably entertaining 35 minutes of hurling. Of course it was totally overshadowed by the 35 that were to follow.
Cork will no doubt feel a little disappointed that they were unable to seal the deal after looking likely winners. Manager Denis Walsh will be particularly annoyed with the fact that 37-year-old Tony Browne was allowed to be the first man to get the rebound from Eoin Kelly’s late free.
It was reported that Sean Óg Ó h’Ailpín would not be fit after being forced off with a hamstring injury last weekend, but he has been named in the starting XV. Michael Cussen is rewarded with the number 12 jersey for his fine contribution as a substitute. He replaces Jerry O’Connor, who also sustained what looked like a hamstring injury in Thurles.
Waterford will be most pleased with their never-say-die attitude coming to the fore again. Their refusal to accept defeat when it is staring them in the face has become a hallmark of Fitzgerald’s reign.
The Déise have also become accustomed to springing veterans from the bench, and last week it was Dan Shanahan and Ken McGrath’s turn to help turn the tide late on.
It’s an admirable trait, but they must be aware that there are only so many times that tactic can rescue desperate situations.
There is unlikely to be much in it again this time around, but Waterford may be side feeling slightly better about themselves at the moment.
Verdict: Waterford
