The Waterford Under 20 hurlers bowed out of the Munster championship tonight after a twelve point defeat to Cork at a sunny Páirc Uí Chaoimh (3-21 to 0-18).

Two goals from top scorer Barry Walsh and one from substitute Johnnie Murphy saw the Rebels set up a provincial semi final with Clare. Walsh ended up with 2-4.

Thomas Carey put over nine frees for the Déise while Jack Twomey hit three points from play. Ken McGrath’s side were guilty of twelve wides (eight in the first half).

In the glorious April sunshine, Cork led 1-10 to 0-9 at the break. On fifteen minutes, a Cillian Ryan sideline went straight to Barry Walsh who soloed through and batted to the net.

Waterford created three goal chances in that opening half but failed to convert any of them. The best one fell to Ben O’Sullivan who was denied by Cork goalkeeper Daniel O’Connell. Thomas Carey converted four frees for the visitors while Jack Twomey shot two from play.

Twomey added his third early in the second half. On 39 minutes, Rebel substitute Johnnie Murphy found himself completely unmarked in front of goal. Déise netminder Alex Reade blocked his initial shot but Murphy made no mistake at the second attempt. Entering the last quarter, Barry O’Flynn won a Cork penalty and Walsh buried it.