By JOHN DAVIS of InCork
WATERFORD 2-17
CORK 2-14
WHEN Paul Flynn stepped up towards a 70m free nearly two minutes into injury-time at Walsh Park yesterday with the scores level, you couldn't possibly imagine that this magnificent hurling league clash could throw up any further drama.
A huge crowd of 17,000 had packed the venue, delaying the start by five minutes and Waterford had held a four-point lead before Neil Ronan's goal had sensationally pulled the All-Ireland champions back into it with five minutes left.
PENALTY
With 90 seconds of proper time remaining, Michael White won a penalty which Flynn pointed to give Waterford a one-point lead.
And when Alan Browne levelled it a minute later, the huge home crowd would have happily settled for a draw.
A minute later the Waterford fans practically got down on their knees and begged Dickie Murphy to blow it up when Neil Ronan put Brendan Colman through on goal, but somehow Stephen Frampton got back to do a Denis Hickie on him, blocking him miraculously in the small square to deny Cork glory.
And then, just when you thought your stomach couldn't stand another twist, Murphy awarded Flynn a free in midfield (which, incidentally, mystified Cork manager Jimmy Barry Murphy) and Waterford's emotionally drained fans could barely watch.
All Flynn needed to do was point it, but it was a terribly long shot and his free-taking was hit-and-miss all day. Instead, the Waterford captain dropped it into the goalmouth and after some wild flaking, it was somehow scrambled over the goal-line by substitute Barry Walsh's boot.
Waterford went wild as the whistle sounded on the next puck-out. It was a phenomenal climax to an incredible game.
Their manager Gerald McCarthy tried to stay calm afterwards, but his delight was impossible to hide.
Not only had his team beaten the side which had knocked them out of Munster last year (and indeed beaten them in their last five league encounters), but they'd stretched their unbeaten league run to four games.
And for good measure, Waterford had virtually guaranteed themselves of a League semi-final place, even with two games against Laois and Tipperary still to come.
``Tremendous, a great win,'' grinned McCarthy after putting one over on his great friend and former clubmate Jimmy Barry Murphy. ``To be honest, I'd have settled for a draw at the end, but the lads battled away.
``They did it against Kilkenny and Wexford too, came back into it when it looked over. I think it's confidence that's growing in them, winning gives it to you and when you have confidence, well, you're able to stick in when things go against you.''
Waterford certainly pulled this one out of the fire but, unlike their comeback against Kilkenny, they should never have let things get so close after dominating understrength Cork until the final quarter.
They led by 1-8 to 0-9 at half-time, but had wasted innumerable chances they hit seven wides (to Cork's three) in the first half, and added another four wides within six minutes of the restart.
They went three points clear after 11 minutes when Michael White split the defence with a flying solo, forcing a save from Donal Óg Cusack. But the rebound fell straight into the path of Dave Bennett who goaled.
White, who switched corners several times, had an excellent game, capped by two excellent points in the second half.
Cork were forced to move All-Star Brian Corcoran on to him for the final quarter, but it was not as if the Hurler of the Year didn't have his own troubles. Earlier, Corcoran was given a real test by Waterford's other star forward Ken McGrath.
MEMORABLE
McGrath ended up with a whopping five points from play, with three of those coming in the second half by which time Cork had switched another All-Star Diarmuid O'Sullivan onto him. One of those points, in the 65th minute following a solo run, was particularly memorable.
However, the best point of all was scored by Flynn who sent over a mind-boggling score after 22 minutes when he doubled on a bouncing hand-pass from White from 55m.
Maddeningly, Flynn then missed a free from ten metres closer within a minute and Cork, kept in the game by Ben O'Connor and free-taker Alan Browne up to then, suddenly got stuck in.
Three marvellous points by Mark Landers, O'Connor and the mercurial Seanie McGrath put Cork ahead for the first time.
However, Waterford regained the lead and were 1-8 to 0-9 ahead at half-time, courtesy of a brilliant '65 into the wind from Flynn and a long-range point from Dave Bennett.
And the lead could have been greater had Cork's Derek Barrett not made a phenomenal goal-saving clearance off the line following Anthony Kirwan's flick.
On the restart, points by White, Flynn and a trademark long-range effort from the tireless Tony Browne (making his first start since the Munster semi-final), saw the home side looking comfortable, particularly with wind advantage.
But as soon as Cork introduced All-Ireland winners Joe Deane, Wayne Sherlock and the man who tormented Waterford last June, Mickey O'Connell, they got immediate returns.
The deficit was cut to a point when Sherlock pounced on a Browne error, and passed to Seanie McGrath who goaled in the 52nd minute.
Ken McGrath steadied Waterford with a point and they were four ahead before the frenzied finale. Cork substitute Niall Ronan cut the deficit to a point again with a goal which was created by fellow substitute Pat Ryan.
Then Derek Barrett cut another sideline ball into Brendan Colman who coolly scored to level matters with three minutes left.
A draw looked inevitable, especially after Flynn's point from a penalty (awarded after Barrett pulled White's jersey) was cancelled out by Browne. However, Walsh's golden boot finally gave Waterford a famous victory.
MAN OF THE MATCH Ken McGrath (Waterford).
SCORERS Waterford: P Flynn 0-6 (2f, 1 penalty, 1 '65), K McGrath 0-5, D Bennett 1-1, B Walsh 1-0, M White 0-2, T Browne, D Shanahan and A Kirwan 0-1 each. Cork: S McGrath 1-2, A Browne 0-5 (all frees), N Ronan 1-0, B O'Connor 0-3, M Landers, B Colman, K Murray 0-1 each, M O'Connell 0-1 (side-line cut).
WATERFORD B Landers; T Feeney, J O'Connor, S Cullinane; S Frampton, P Queally, B Flannery; T Browne, J Brenner; D Shanahan, K McGrath, P Flynn (Capt); M White, A Kirwan, D Bennett. Subs: B Walsh for Bennett (62 mins), F Hartley for Cullinane (68 mins).
CORK D Óg Cusack; F Ryan (Capt), D O'Sullivan, J Browne; J Sheehan, B Corcoran, D Barrett; T McCarthy, M Landers; B Colman, F McCormack, A Browne; S McGrath, K Murray, B O'Connor. Subs: W Sherlock for Sheehan (45 mins), J Deane for Murray (46 mins), M O'Connell for McCormack (50 mins), P Ryan for Landers (62 mins), N Ronan for McCarthy (65 mins).
REF D Murphy (Wexford).