Waterford v Cork: Player ratings from the Munster hurling opening ...
PATRICK COLLINS: Waterford pressured his first-half puck-outs but he had four assists from longer restarts. 6
SEÁN O’DONOGHUE: By a distance Cork’s best defender as they struggled early. Offered real leadership and most 50-50 battles. Shackled Dessie Hutchinson and held him to a point from play. 8
DAMIEN CAHALANE: Déise created space down the middle which they exploited for the opening goal. Sent off after two yellow cards and the dismissal, when Joyce was already sitting out, killed Cork's comeback. 5
GER MILLERICK: Slow start, and yellow carded, but settled after that. 6
ROB DOWNEY: Got into his rhythm in the second half. Came out with a good few balls and was fouled for a free on the run upfield. 6
Waterford vs Cork: Both sets of players look for possession of the ballCIARÁN JOYCE: As always, thundered out with possession at times but Waterford picked holes in the half-back line with their movement. Sent off for 10 minutes and gave away a penalty at a crucial stage. 6
MARK COLEMAN: Back from injury but wasn’t as composed in possession as usual in the first half. Better when he swapped to midfield but below his All-Star best. 6
TOMMY O’CONNELL: Quiet in the first half, as Waterford’s intensity meant they had the better of the breaks in the middle. Switched to wing-back and was one of Cork's better performers after that. 6
DARRAGH FITZGIBBON: Sniped 0-3 from play in the opening 35 minutes when the Rebel forward line failed to fire. Got another quality point in the second half. 8
SEÁN TWOMEY: A tough championship debut as the half bypassed him and he collected a yellow card due to frustration as much as anything else. 5.
CONOR LEHANE: Was able to win primary possession but had three wides to go with his point and assist in the first half. On the wing after the resumption but wasn't involved enough. 5
SEAMUS HARNEDY: Couldn’t get motoring early on, with Calum and Darragh Lyons dominating across the Waterford 65. Ended up with two points and was more impactful after the break. 6
SHANE BARRETT: A handful, scoring a brilliant first-half point and getting fouled for three frees with his hard running. Sliced over two more super second-half efforts. 7
ALAN CONNOLLY: Starved of possession initially, though he did clip a neat point on the move. In the second half, he was a huge threat, adding 1-1, the goal an absolute belter, and fouled for free. 7
PATRICK HORGAN: Accurate from frees but isolated for long spells. Hit two wides, one of which he should have popped to Connolly for a goal chance. 6
Tadhg de Burca of Waterford gathers ahead of teammate Conor Prunty and Alan Connolly of Cork during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Waterford and Cork at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Brendan Moran/SportsfileSUBS:
ROBBIE O’FLYNN: Took a long time to get up to the pace of championship after his injuries. He had a good last 10 minutes, scoring a point and winning a high delivery he was fouled under. 6
BRIAN HAYES: Clipped a point but didn't get service to make use of his aerial prowess. 6
LUKE MEADE: Added a bit of purpose to the middle third. 6
EOIN DOWNEY, JACK O'CONNOR: Late replacements.
