It was an emphatic win for Cork in an entertaining NHL Division 1 Group A game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh against Waterford.
As the Irish Examiner reports, both sides started briskly, swapping points in an open game - Waterford’s Kieran Bennett hitting the pick of those early scores.
It was 0-3 to 0-2 on 10 minutes when Jack O’Connor got a goal chance but blazed wide.
Freetakers Patrick Horgan of Cork and Waterford’s Stephen Bennett were on target before Tim O’Mahony made it 0-6 to 0-4 at the first water break.
Cork resumed with a flowing move that ended with a Robbie O’Flynn goal. Calum Lyons almost responded in kind but his shot whistled wide of the Cork goal. Cork swept downfield and Horgan was denied by a brave Billy Nolan stop; Horgan’s 65 made it 1-7 to 0-6 on 25 minutes.
Alan Connolly scores his second goal and @OfficialCorkGAA's fifth! pic.twitter.com/oi4j8303r5
Advertisement— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 9, 2021
Two Bennett frees helped the Waterford cause - 1-8 to 0-7 on the half hour - but Cork finished strongly with three points in a row, leading 1-12 to 0-8 at the break.
It was a stroll from then on as Cork sub Aaron Connolly added another two goals late on, with Waterford losing Calum Lyons to a straight red. Stephen Bennett did have time though for a late Waterford consolation goal.
Earlier in the day, Wexford beat Laois 4-17 to 10 points at Chadwicks Wexford Park in their opening Allianz League game.
Goals from Rory O'Connor, Michael Dwyer and Conor Hearne saw the team from the South East get past Laois.
Conor Hearne with @OfficialWexGAA 's fourth goal! pic.twitter.com/JZebObzrV5
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 9, 2021
Elsewhere, Antrim have beaten Clare on a scoreline of 1-21 to 22 in their Division One Allianz Hurling game at Corrigan Park this afternoon.
Ciaran Clarke with the goal for the hosts.
Also, at 3:45pm Cork and Waterford will play at Páirc Uí Chaoimh to kick off their league campaign.
Man of the match Ciaran Clarke @CiaranClarke2 🏆#AllianzLeagues #HonTheSaffs pic.twitter.com/FlX4RMVvl6
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) May 9, 2021
