Waterford 1-24
Cork 3-17

Stephen and Kieran Bennett scored 0-16 between them as Waterford recovered from a disastrous start to edge out Cork at Walsh Park.

Liam Cahill's first big game in charge of the Deise looked destined to end in defeat when Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston scored two goals inside the first two minutes, But Patrick Curran's 12th minute major proved to be a turning point as the hosts stormed back to take a 1-13 to 2-8 lead into the break.

Despite registering 17 wides in a wasteful display, Cork almost got something from the game when Kingston's second goal was followed by Damien Cahalane's third point in the closing stages. But they couldn't regain parity, with Kingston's late attempt for an equalising point drifting agonisingly wide.

With 4,235 in attendance, the visitors couldn't have asked for a better start when the excellent Kingston set up Lehane for a goal inside the first minute. Almost immediately, Kingston netted himself after Patrick Horgan had done the donkey work. 

Despite giving their opponents a two-goal head start, Waterford were undeterred and roared back into it thanks to some eye-catching performances from captain Conor Prunty, Darragh Fives, Meath native Jack Fagan and the Bennett brothers. Stephen top-scored with 0-11 (0-10 from placed balls), while older brother Kieran posted 0-5, including 0-1 from a sideline. 

Curran's goal, which followed a great run by Calum Lyons, reduced the deficit to the minimum before Stephen landed the first of six first half frees to give the Deise the lead for the first time. Damien Cahalane nudged Kieran Kingston's back in front in the 32nd minute before two more Bennett frees and a Curran effort from play helped the winners to a two-point lead at the interval.

With Austin Gleeson missing through injury, Kieran Bennett drove Waterford on from midfield with three second half points. Patrick Horgan converted six frees over the 70 minutes, but Cork were left to rue a host of missed chances as the home side held on for the win.

Waterford - S O’Keeffe; C Gleeson, C Prunty, S McNulty; C Lyons, D Fives, I Daly (0-1); J Prendergast (0-1), J Dillon; N Montgomery, J Fagan (0-2, 1sl), K Bennett (0-5, 1sl); D Hutchinson, S Bennett (0-11, 6f, 1sl), P Curran (1-3). Subs: K Power for C Lyons, S Fives for C Gleeson, M Kearney (0-1) for J Dillon, P Hogan for D Hutchinson, D Lyons for N Montgomery, T Barron for J Fagan.

Cork - A Nash; N O’Leary, R Downey, S O’Donoghue; C O’Leary, T O’Mahony, D Cahalane (0-3); B Cooper, M Coleman (0-2); S Harnedy (0-2), D Fitzgibbon (0-2), A Walsh; C Lehane (1-0), S Kingston (2-2), P Horgan (0-6f). Subs: L Meade for A Walsh, S O’Leary Hayes for N O’Leary, S Twomey for C Lehane, R O’Flynn for S Harnedy.  

Referee - J Keenan.

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