All-Ireland champions Tipperary maintained their 100% in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League record with a six point defeat of Waterford in round two of the Allianz Hurling League.
There was very little between the sides in the opening half with the teams level on no fewer than ten occasions.
The Munster rivals went point for point right from the off but while Tipperary had six different scorers in the opening 30 minutes, the home side were very much dependant on the accuracy of their talisman Pauric Mahony, who contributed seven first half points, six from frees.
A soft surface with the grass on the long side for hurling made fluent fare difficult to come by.
Waterford’s defence, with Noel Connors and relative newcomer Shane McNulty outstanding, made life difficult for the visiting All-Ireland champions as Padraic Maher and James Barry similarly held sway at the opposite end of the field.
A point in first half injury time from Jason Forde sent the Premier to the break leading by the minimum 0-11 to 0-10.
Now with the aid of the slight breeze Tipperary seized the initiative, hitting four of the next five points on the restart from substitute John O’Dwyer (2), Steven O’Brien and Kieran Bergin to lead 0-15 to 0-11 after 45 minutes.
When hurler of the year Austin Gleeson turned over possession at centre-field on 52 minutes, Tipp newcomer Steven O’Brien was allowed to run at goal and Tadhg de Búrca had little option but to haul the former football star down. Referee Diarmuid Kirwan immediately awarded a penalty.
John 'Bubbles' O’Dwyer assumed the responsibility but failed to convert as Waterford net-minder Ian O’Regan produced a fabulous low save to lift a heretofore rather silent home crowd.
The respite for Derek McGrath’s charges was short-lived though with John McGrath finally hitting the net for the Premier in the 59th minute after his brother Noel had initially been denied by another outstanding reflex save from O’Regan.
Tipperary now led by six, 1-16 to 0-13, and with man of the match Seamus Kennedy and Donagh Maher defending stoutly they never allowed the home side an opportunity to get back into the game.
Scorers for Tipperary: John McGrath (1-6, 0-3f), John O’Dwyer (0-5, 0-4f), Jason Forde and Steven O’Brien (0-2 each), Niall O’Meara, Brendan Maher and Kieran Bergin (0-1 each).
Scorers for Waterford: Pauric Mahony (0-9, 0-8f), Brian O’Halloran (0-2), Tom Devine, Mikey Kearney, Gavin O’Brien and Austin Gleeson (0-1 each).
Tipperary: Daragh Mooney; Donagh Maher, James Barry, Joe O’Dwyer; Seamus Kennedy, Tomás Hamill, Padraic Maher; Brendan Maher, Kieran Bergin; Dan McCormack, Jason Forde; Steven O’Brien, Aidan McCormack, John McGrath, Niall O’Meara.
Subs: John O’Dwyer for Aidan McCormack (28mins), Noel McGrath for Jason Forde (51mins), Michael Breen for Kieran Bergin (54mins), Seamus Callanan for Steven O’Brien (58mins), Michael Cahill for Joe O’Dwyer (63mins)
Waterford: Ian O’Regan; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Conor Gleeson, Tadhg de Burca, Shane McNulty; Kevin Moran, Gavin O’Brien; Tom Devine, Mikey Kearney, Pauric Mahony; Shane Bennett, Jake Dillon, Austin Gleeson.
Subs: Darragh Lyons for Shane McNulty (43mins), Stephen Bennett for Jake Dillon and Colin Dunford for Gavin O’Brien (both 48mins), Maurice Shanahan for Mikey Kearney (61mins), Brian O’Halloran for Colin Dunford (61mins).
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)
