Waterford 1-07 Tipperary 1-15
Tipperary are through to the Munster SF semi-final after a comfortable eight-point victory over Waterford at Fraher Field.
Twelve months ago the Premier inflicted a 22-point hammering on their hosts and while the margin was significantly less this time the result in front of an official attendance of 1,753 was rarely in doubt.
Waterford the 5/1 underdogs however did begin the game brightly hitting the opening three scores of the game, all from the boot of their talisman Paul Whyte. The home side were retaining possession impressively at this stage and their packed defence made life difficult for their more vaunted opposition.
Michael Quinlivan eventually opened the account for the visitors in Dungarvan with a point from play after seven minutes. The impressive George Hannigan and Quinlivan again had the Premier level after 14 minutes.
Liam Kearns side were fortunate not to concede a goal in the opening half when their goalkeeper Evan Comerford twice denied Paul Whyte from close range after 15 and 19 minutes. The Déise man ought to have done better although he did convert the 45 which resulted from Comerford’s second important save.
Tipperary, the Division three side outscored their hosts 0-05 to 0-02 over the remaining minutes of the opening half to lead 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time. All of Tipperary’s first half scores coming from play.
Two long range frees from Kevin O’Halloran and a fine point from Tipp captain Peter Acheson saw the visitors lead swell to five points, 0-11 to 0-6 after 42 minutes. Disaster struck for the home side after 47 minutes when a long ball from Kevin O’Halloran was fisted by Michael Quinlivan against the cross-bar only to hit the misfortunate Waterford corner back Maurice O’Gorman who could only look on in horror as the ball trickled over the goal line for an own goal.
Further points from Michael Quinlivan, Peter Acheson and Brian Fox had Tipperary out of sight by the 54th minute leading 1-14 to 0-06.
While hope of victory had evaporated for the home side they continued to play attempting to reduce their deficit. Paul Whyte benefited from a knock down off substitute Joey Veal to slip a low shot to the Tipperary net after 58 minutes. Moments later Déise captain Tommy Prendergast too found his range after a couple of earlier misses to land a point and bring his side onto the 1-07 mark.
Fittingly though it was Clonmel Commercials star Michael Quinlivan who shot a spectacular point from the side-line in injury time to close out a 1-15 to 1-07 victory for Tipperary who will face Cork in the Munster semi-final.
Mission accomplished for Liam Kearns and his Tipperary side but on the evidence of this game where they were lethargic for long spells, particularly in the opening half, the Premier will have to improve considerably if they are to trouble Cork in the next round.
Waterford must now wait for the opening draw in the qualifiers to see who they will meet in the All-Ireland series.
Tipperary: Evan Comerford, Colm O’Shaughnessy (0-01), Alan Campbell, Ciáran McDonald, Bill Maher, Martin Dunne (0-01), Shane Leahy, Alan Moloney, Georage Hannigan (0-03), Josh Keane, Peter Acheson (0-03), Brian Fox (0-01), Kevin O’Halloran (0-02f), Michael Quinlivan (0-04), Philip Austin.
Subs: Jimmy Feehan for Shane Leahy (45mins), Ian Fahey for Philip Austin (54mins), Billy Hewitt for Alan Moloney (62mins), Mark Hanley for Colm O’Shaughnessy (69mins), Donnagh Leahy for Brian Fox (72mins).
Waterford: Stephen Enright, Tadhg ÓhUallcháin, Thomas O’Gorman (1-0 og), Maurice O’Gorman, James McGrath, Stephen Prendergast, Ray Ó Ceallaigh, Tommy Prendergast (0-1), Craig Guiry, Michael Curry, Paul Whyte (1-05, 0-03f, 0-01’45), Patrick Hurney, Gavin Crotty (0-1), J.J. Hutchinson, Lorcan Ó Corraoin.
Subs: Conor Murray for JJ Hutchinson (HT), Joey Veale for Gavin Crotty (50mins), Michael O’Halloran for James McGrath, Brian Looby for Michael Curry (56mins).
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
