GAA: Cork v Waterford All-Ireland hurling semi-final key battles

Cork take on Waterford in the second All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Here are three key battles which could decide the contest...

Munster champions Cork may have comfortably beaten Waterford in their provincial semi-final clash back in June, but history is against them heading to Croke Park.

Just two teams in the last 12 years have lifted both the Munster and All-Ireland titles in the same year: Cork in 2005 and Tipperary last year.

Cork have been a side revitalised his season, however, while Waterford will hope it is third time lucky in an All-Ireland semi-final, having lost out in 2015 and 2016.

Kevin Moran v Mark Coleman

One of the key battles on Sunday will come on the wing, as Cork's youthful left wing-back Mark Coleman comes up against Waterford skipper and right half forward Kevin Moran.

At just 19-years-old, Coleman's performances for Cork have marked him out this season as one of, if not the finds of the championship.

Having just finished his Leaving Cert exams last summer (the equivalent of A-levels), Coleman made his bow for Kieran Kingston's side with barely any time left in a demolishing defeat against Wexford in July 2016.

Fast forward 12 months and Coleman has been a leading light in an exciting Cork team. The most natural of wing-backs, Coleman is superbly creative and, crucially, also clinical himself.

Man of the match the last time Cork faced Waterford in June, his sideline cuts are a thing of beauty and the combination of this technique, pace and engine have put him in pole position to pick up the Young Hurler of the Year award.

As Cork legend Sean Og O hAilpin commented last month: "Have you seen anyone strike a ball as sweetly as him? For me it's clear as day that he's skilful as hell."

Up against him at Croke Park will be Waterford stalwart Moran. Alongside Michael 'Brick' Walsh, Sky Sports columnist Jamesie O'Connor has said "nobody deserves an All-Ireland medal more than those two".

A magnificent leader, Moran was instrumental in Waterford's quarter-final victory over Wexford to get to this stage, earning the man of the match award in an outstanding display.

The 30-year-old led from the front for the first 20 minutes, coming to the fore and calling the shots as he settled his side into the contest.

His form has picked up as the season has gone on and in the absence of key man Tadhg de Burca this weekend, even more emphasis will be placed on Moran to perform.

Having lost their Munster Championship semi-final by five points to Cork this year, Moran is under no illusions of the difficulty of the challenge that awaits: "Look, they're a super team. They're worthy Munster champions, they had a hugely difficult route to win the title and they did so convincingly and deservedly.

"It will be a fascinating encounter. Both teams will be a little bit more aware of their styles of play.

"You have highs and lows but now we're back here and it's go for broke now and see where it takes you. In the aftermath last year of Kilkenny at Croke Park and then in Thurles a week later, there was disappointment that we didn't get over the line.

"But look, we'll do everything we can do so and Cork will do the same. That's what sport is all about. We all love it and can't wait for it".

Austin Gleeson v Conor Lehane

Having fluttered between the half back and half forward lines, last year's Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson has finally settled into the half-forward line for Waterford, and if they are to be victorious on Sunday, he must go well.

A player of immense talent, Gleeson can verge on unplayable at times but also has a tendency to lose his consistency and accuracy and rack up wides, which can be costly for the Deise.

His conversion rate from play in 2017 is 63 per cent, but equally Cork will be aware that when on song, he could tear them apart on his own.

Much like a lot of world class strikers in soccer, Gleeson floats in and out of games but can then strike with devastating consequences if given a sniff.

At the other end for Cork, Conor Lehane will look to outperform Gleeson and drive the Rebels to victory.

A member of Cork's agonizing 2013 All-Ireland final replay defeat to Clare, Lehane will be desperate for another crack at it and his performances this season have been inspired.

The 25-year-old forward has been in lethal form in his three outings to date and his fitness will be a relief to Cork fans after he struggled with injuries to his ankle ligaments at points throughout the summer.

Man of the match after a sensational display against defending All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the Munster Championship, Lehane demonstrated his skill both from open play and from frees.

"Even just around the place, there's a much better buzz around. It's definitely better to have a small bit of success behind you but we're not going to get any way ahead of ourselves," he said.

"Even for the semi-final, it's a game and that's that. A five-week gap is a long time without a competitive game. It's up to the lads then at training to drive it on and not leave it too slack."

After putting in performances and displaying leadership which belie his age, Lehane's searing pace and deadly finishing could prove the difference, particularly if Gleeson can't match him at the other end.

Anthony Nash v Stephen O'Keeffe

Where the two sides are perhaps matched closest is in the sticks, with goalkeepers Anthony Nash and Stephen O'Keeffe both enjoying fantastic seasons, and vital for Sunday's encounter.

Nash's puck outs have been a central part of the Cork game-plan, and in no match were they more effective than the Munster Championship final against Clare, when his delivery annihilated the Banner County.

Cork's transformation from 2016 qualifier losers to All-Ireland contenders has had much to do with the skill and speed of Nash's puck outs, and should he provide a similar impact on Sunday, Waterford will find it tough going to live with Cork.

"We're very early in our team process. We've the good young fellas coming through and there's a good mix," Nash told RTE Sport on Friday.

"For Waterford, it's their third semi-final in a row so it's going to be a bit of a different expectation on them than us.

"People from Cork all year have given us support while their expectations may have been low. It'll be two teams going hell for leather and hopefully we come out the right side of it."

While Nash has been instrumental to the Cork game-plan, however, it is Waterford stopper O'Keeffe who may yet be awarded an All-Star for his marvellous 2017 form.

The 26-year-old has been as solid as they come in goal and pulled off a string of superlative saves in Waterford's run to the semi-final.

While his side lost against Cork in the Munster semi-final, he pulled off two miraculous stops to deny Alan Cadogan and Seamus Harnedy when goals seemed certain.

Against Kilkenny in July, O'Keeffe denied Conor Fogarty with another magnificent save and it went a long way to helping the Deise knock out Brian Cody's men in extra time.

In terms of shot stopping, there's been nobody to touch him this year, and Cork will have to pull off something utterly sensational if they are to see the green flag waving on Sunday.