Waterford recorded an amazing 3-19 to 1-20 win over Cork after extra time at resplendent Pairc Ui Rinn.

An attendance of 3,671 spectators were treated to a fantastic encounter of hurling as Na Deise fought back to book a final meeting with Limerick.

The sides were proving very difficult to separate until DJ Foran struck for a third Waterford goal in the second period of added time.

The Rebels got off to a dream start when Michael Cahalane planted the ball in the Waterford net after just 40 seconds and his midfield partner Rickard Cahalane quickly added a point to leave the Decies reeling early on.

Things went from bad to worse for Waterford as Stephen Bennett - in his third year as a minor - saw his penalty saved by the Cork defence after the Rebels had clipped over their second point: 1-2 to no score.

After Waterford got up and running through a Patrick Curran free, Michael Cahalane, Pa O'Callaghan and Cathal McCormack all replied for the Leesiders: 1-5 to 0-1.

Anthony Spillane and O'Callaghan tagged on further Cork points but Curran's frees ensured that the Decies weren't completely out of it at the break, 1-7 to 0-4.

Amazingly, Waterford goals from Colm Roche and Stephen Bennett within two minutes of the restart turned the match on its head as the Decies move in front, 2-5 to 1-7.

Spillane equalised but Bennett edged the visitors back in front only for O'Callaghan to tie it up again from a free.

Three points in as many minutes from Curran saw Waterford assume a 2-9 to 1-10 lead. The next four points were shared but Mark O'Connor's second point inside a few minutes edged Cork closer, 1-13 to 2-11.

Spillane tied the scores up and, after another exchange of points, it was still level with two minutes left, 1-15 to 2-12.

The sides could not be separated in the regulation hour and extra time would be needed… Foran proved to be the hero for the visitors, who finished strongly with a flurry of points.

Waterford - G Power; W Hahessy, K Daly, C Leamy; T Devine, A Gleeson, Shane Bennett; C Curran, M Kearney; P Curran (0-12), C Roche (1-3), M Harney; A Farrell, Stephen Bennett (1-1), C Gleeson (0-1). Subs: DJ Foran (1-0) for Farrell, M O'Brien for Kearney, C Breathnach (0-1) for C Curran, S Hogan for Roche, P O'Connor (0-1) for Harney.

Cork - P Collins; D Quinn, K Histon, S O'Brien; K O'Connor, C Twomey, A O'Callaghan; M O'Connor (0-3), R Cahalane (0-1); P Kelleher, K O'Neill, C Cormack (0-1); M Cahalane (1-1), A Spillane (0-4), P O'Callaghan (0-10). Subs: C Kelleher for O'Brien, B Dunne for C Kelleher, A Ward for Dunne, D Hannon for M O'Connor.

Ref - F Horgan. Tweet

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