Jason Curry scored from two late frees to gain Waterford their first point in Division 4 of the Allianz Football League at Bansha and deny Tipperary the win that looked on the cards.
The share of the spoils was no more than the visitors deserved as they had made the running for much of the way, but once Tipp hit the front with a brace of Sean O Connor points in the 65th and 66th minutes, a home victory looked certain.
Waterford were by far the better team in the first half and helped by an Alan Dunwoody goal after 19 minutes were leading 1-08 to 0-04 after 27 minutes.
Tipperary finished the half well with points from Jack Kennedy, Peter Creedon and James Morris to trail by four points at the break, 0-07 to 1-08.
An indication of the Tipp camp's anxiety was the introduction of four first half subs, only one of which was for an injury, Shane Neville replacing Cathal Deely after 20 mins. Tipperary upped their game in the second half but didn’t draw level until a brace of Paddy Creedon points tied the game at 0-13 to 1-10.
Waterford’s Jason Curry and jack Kennedy for Tipp swapped points before Sean O'Connor twice pointed to put Tipp two clear with four minutes left to play.
Back came Waterford, however.
Curry showed great composure to land frees in the 68th and 70th minutes to earn a draw, a fitting reward for their effort on the day.
Waterford’s early play belied their Division 4 status with Jason Curry kicking two great long-range points.
He, along with William Beresford, Caolan McGrath, Liam Fennell, Dermot Ryan and Stephen Curry were their key men.
Tipperary were disappointed to again get caught late when a two points looked on the cards and their hopes of promotion have now gone.
Sean O'Connor and Paddy Creedon were the big threat up front with James Morris, Jack Kennedy, Paudie Feehan and Stephen Grogan also doing well.
Scorers: Tipperary – S O Onnor(0-8,5fs), P Creedon, J Kennedy(0-3 each), M Stokes, J Morris(0-1 each);
Waterford – J Curry (0-6,4fs), A Dunwoody(1-0),C McGrath(0-2), R McGrath, W Beresford, M Mullanny, S Whelan-Barrett, S Curry(0-1 each);
Tipperary: J Rodgers; S O Connell, J Feehan, J Morris; S Grogan, P Feehan, K Costello; C Deely, C Kennedy; M Stokes, J Kennedy (Commercials), P McGarry; J Kennedy (JK Brackens), P Creedon, S O Connor;
Subs – S Neville for Deely (20mins), R O Dowd for Costello (23mins), J Leamy for J Kennedy (Brackens,32mins), M Kehoe for C Kennedy (34mins);
Waterford: P Hunt; C McCarthy, B O Keeffe, R Browne; R McGrath, D Ryan, L Fennell; M Curry, W Beresford; C McGrath, S Whelan-Barrett, M Mullanny; S Curry, A Dunwoody, J Curry;
Subs – C O Cuirrin for Mullanny(48mins), J Booth for C Mc Grath(68mins), B Hynes for R McGrath(69mins);
Referee: D Hickey, Carlow;
