A hard-fought 2-25 to 1-22 victory over Waterford secured Cork's provincial final berth against Limerick and qualified Pat Ryan's side for the 2025 All-Ireland series.
The Cork manager has repeatedly stated that getting out of Munster was his number one priority and it was mission accomplished in front of a 42,181 attendance.
Before Waterford’s visit, Cork had thrown away a 12-point lead to draw with Clare, laboured to victory over 14-man Tipperary and lost by 16 points to Limerick.
Now, a second Munster SHC win has setup another showdown with Limerick back at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Cork will relish an opportunity to atone for their previous visit.
As for Waterford, despite a productive provincial campaign, Peter Queally's side will not see competitive action until 2026.
That’s the price the Déise and All-Ireland champions Clare have paid for failing to finish amongst Munster’s top three.
Level seven times during a high-octane opening half, it was Waterford who enjoyed the better start. Backed by a strong wind, the Déise led 0-5 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.
Jack Prendergast, Billy Nolan (free), Seán Walsh, Patrick Fitzgerald and Mark Fitzgerald were on target with a Patrick Horgan free representing Cork’s solitary response.
Settling to their task, Mark Coleman, Alan Connolly and Horgan (free) moved the hosts within a point of their opponents. Michael Kiely and Séamus Harnedy exchanged scores before a Horgan free levelled matters, 0-06 apiece after 18 minutes.
Both sides fed off the sometimes-frenzied atmosphere with the score tied 0-10 to 0-10 after half an hour. A cracking end to the half saw Jamie Barron and Harnedy score at either end before a long-range Kieran Bennett effort edged Waterford back in front.
Cork changed ends 0-13 to 0-12 ahead however, thanks to an Alan Connolly brace.
The Rebels restarted in the best possible fashion with a flowing move ending with Brian Hayes finding the net.
A brilliant start to the second half for Cork as Darragh Fitzgibbon scores the game's first goal against Waterford
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025
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Horgan added a free and Cork enjoyed a five-point lead. Sean Walsh and Patrick Fitzgerald reduced the deficit prior to Alan Connolly rasping a goal attempt inches wide from a narrow angle.
A brace of Stephen Bennett frees made it a one-point game. Séamus Harnedy and Horgan (free) efforts pushed Cork 1-16 to 0-16 in front heading into the final quarter.
Then Cork took control, with Patrick Horgan finishing off another flowing move by arrowing to the net. Brian Hayes and Shane Barrett added points to push the Rebels 2-18 to 0-16 ahead.
Waterford weren’t dead yet and Stephen Bennett turned and walloped into the net a minute before striking an upright with a subsequent attempt.
Jack Prendergast’s point left a goal in it with less than 10 minutes to go.
Waterford aren't giving in as Stephen Bennett lashes in their first goal to slash Cork's lead
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025
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Darragh Fitzgibbon floated over a beauty ahead of a late flurry of scores that saw Waterford move within a goal, 2-21 to 1-21, before Cork kicked for home.
Late Diarmuid Healy, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Cormac O’Brien and Conor Lehane scores cemented Cork’s victory and another shot at Limerick in two weeks' time.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Seán O’Donoghue, Eoin Downey, Ger Millerick; Mark Coleman (0-1), Ciarán Joyce, Cormac O'Brien (0-1); Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-2, 0-1f); Brian Roche, Shane Barrett (0-3, captain), Séamus Harnedy (0-3); Patrick Horgan (1-8, 0-8f), Alan Connolly (0-3), Brian Hayes (1-1).
Subs: Diarmuid Healy for B Roche (47), Luke Meade for T O’Mahony (60), Shane Kingston (0-1) for A Connolly (62), Damien Cahalane for G Millerick (63, temp), Conor Lehane for P Horgan (73), Tommy O’Connell for C O’Brien (75).
Waterford: Billy Nolan (0-1, 0-1f); Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Kieran Bennett (0-1), Mark Fitzgerald (0-1), Tadgh de Burca; Paddy Leavey, Darragh Lyons; Jack Prendergast (0-2), Jamie Barron (0-1), Michael Kiely (0-2); Patrick Fitzgerald (0-3), Seàn Walsh (0-3), Stephen Bennett.
Subs: Dessie Hutchinson (0-1) for P Leavey (41), Kevin Mahony for P Fitzgerald (51), Shane Bennett (1-7, 0-6f) for Lyons (52, injured), Austin Gleeson for Walsh (60).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
