 Under McCarthy's training regime Cork marched through the provincial championship and trounced Waterford in the final by 5–31 to 3–6.This victory allowed Cork to advance to the All-Ireland final seven weeks later where they were firm favourites to take the title.The game did not go Cork's way as two goals by Kilkenny's Christy Heffernan in a forty-second spell was followed by a third goal by Ger Fennelly.