Mark O'Brien shot 1-9 as John Meyler's Cork minors coasted to a fifteen point victory over Waterford on a cool Thursday evening in Fraher Field (3-18 to 0-12).
The deadly Douglas forward dictated the game from number eleven. He has returned 2-21 in three outings for the Rebels. Adam Lee (1-1), Jack Hegarty (1-1) and Luke Murphy (0-3) also caught the eye. It could have been worse for Waterford as Cork created seven green flag chances in total. Two wins out of three for the young men in red.
The home side never got to grips with the Rebel attack. They were also guilty of ten wides and seven balls short. Caoillin Reville was the one player who stood up to Cork with three first half points.
It's now eight straight minor defeats for the Déise since 2022. James O'Connor's charges still have a chance to snatch fourth place and qualify for the All Ireland series however if they defeat Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds next Thursday.
2013 was the last time Waterford beat Cork at this grade. That team contained Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran and the Bennett brothers. The Rebels have won the last seven meetings.
This one was never in doubt as Meyler's men led by ten after 21 minutes. Mark O'Brien (free) and Shane Power swapped early points before the Rebels raided 1-3 without reply. On seven minutes, a slip from Jack Twomey allowed Michael Brosnan solo through. He offloaded to Adam Lee who smashed a low shot to the net. Two goals in two games for the Cloyne corner forward. O'Brien's second free made it 1-4 to 0-1 with just eight minutes on the clock.
Mark Hartley hit over a much needed free for the hosts. O'Connor's side missed five chances in the first quarter (four wide and one short). Leo Hennessy beat three Waterford defenders before he laid off to Lee who volleyed the sliotar left and wide. Caoillin Reville got a point back.
Brosnan assisted Cork's second major in the sixteenth minute as Jack Hegarty rattled the roof of the net. Only last ditch defending from Twomey thwarted a third when Lee advanced with intent. Goalkeeper Billy Murphy then saved with his legs after O'Brien won a turnover and knifed through the defence.
At the other end, Shane Power got the better of two Cork defenders but his shot didn't trouble Josh Goulding. A white flag from Tommy Kennedy, Waterford's first in twelve minutes, gave the locals something to clap. Mark O'Brien responded immediately. On his first start of the season, Caoillin Reville revelled the challenge and struck back to back points. Another from Mark Hartley left Waterford seven in arrears at the break (2-8 to 0-7).
The chasers missed two point opportunities before Luke Murphy extended Cork's lead. O'Brien escaped with a yellow card for swinging back on Jack Power. The elusive number eleven continued to torment the Déise defence. He knocked over a point off the hurley as they reestablished a double digit cushion. On 44 minutes, the Douglas attacker darted forward again and Billy Murphy couldn't keep out his fierce shot (3-13 to 0-8). A disallowed point from Luke Murphy was a small mercy for Waterford as both sides emptied the benches.
