Waterford made them fight all the way but Cork are through to the decider after this 0-23 to 1-17 victory at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Beaten finalists last year, the winners - who had no fewer than six seniors in their starting line-up - stepped on the gas in the second half when they outscored their opponents by 15 points to nine to advance to a July 4^th date with either Tipperary or Limerick as well as guaranteeing themselves an All-Ireland semi-final place on August Bank Holiday weekend.

John Paul Lucey's goal had Sean Power's outsiders ahead by three points after nine minutes, 1-2 to 0-2, before Andrew Casey and Neil Montgomery stretched their advantage to five.

Declan Dalton's free had the Rebels back within three, 1-6 to 0-6, and the same player slotted on the stroke of the short whistle to ensure that the half-time deficit was only three points. 1-8 to 0-8.

Even though Na Deise posted the first two scores upon the resumption through Lucey and Darragh Lyons, the Rebels were level by the 41^st minute courtesy of a run of points from Robbie O'Flynn (2), Dalton (free), substitute Daire Connery and captain Shane Kingston.

Jack O'Connor and Kingston replied after the resilient visitors again moved two clear with frees from Jack Prendergast and goalkeeper Billy Nolan but Mark Coleman finally fired the strongly-fancied Rebels ahead with nine minutes remaining and Connery stretched their advantage.

The losers refused to give up but Cork had their sights in now and further scores from Darragh Fitzgibbon, Dalton (scorer of eight points in total), Liam Healy and substitute Conor Cahalane saw them over the line.

Cork - G Collins; D Lowney, D Griffin, N O'Leary; E Murphy, M Coleman (0-1), B Hennessy; C O'Leary, D Fitzgibbon (0-3); R O'Flynn (0-2), D Dalton (0-8f), S Kingston (0-2); L Healy (0-2), M O'Halloran, J O'Connor (0-2). Subs: D Connery (0-2) for M O'Halloran, C Cahalane (0-1) for N O'Leary, L O'Shea for J O'Connor.

Waterford - B Nolan (0-3f); J Curran, M Daykin, D Lynch; C Prunty (0-1), J Henley, G Cullinane; A Casey (0-2), M Mahony; E Meaney, P Hogan (0-1), J Prendergast (0-4f); J P Lucey (1-2), D Lyons (0-1), N Montgomery (0-1). Subs: I Beecher for A Casey, I Daly (0-1) for N Montgomery, C Lyons (0-1) for D Lynch, H Ruddle for E Meaney.

Referee - J McCormack.

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