Tipperary remain top of Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League this evening after a convincing 5-15 to 2-15 win over Waterford at Nenagh. The Premier county looked eager and fresh, particularly in defence where Paul Kelly, Eamonn Corcoran and Paul Kelly were outstanding. Three first-half goals set Tipperary up for victory. Brian O'Meara found the net on two occasions and Liam Cahill added another just before the interval.
Waterford worked hard but they found scoring very difficult. Tipperary led them at the break by 3-04 to 0-08, but three minutes into the second half Waterford's top scorer Paul Flynn blasted a free into the back of the net. But their joy was shortlived as their opponents hit four points without reply. Waterford relied heavily on Flynn, who scored 1-09 today, but even he could not inspire them to victory against this Tipperary side. Eugene O'Neill and the very impressive Lar Corbett added two more goals to seal victory for the Premier County with a degree of comfort at McDonagh Park.
Wexford are up to second spot on the table with four points, two behind Tipperary after an impressive 2-14 to 1-09 home win against Cork at Enniscorthy this afternoon. Wexford needed a good performance against the Leesiders after a disappointing display against Waterford last time out and they certainly produced just that. They led from the opening stages right to the final whistle. Goals from Paul Codd and Paul Finn set the scene nicely for the home side in the first half. Although Cork's Seánie McGrath found the net himself inside ten minutes, the Leesiders trailed by six points at the break.
Despite having the wind in their backs in the second-half, Cork never found their rhythm and Wexford turned on the style and contained the visitors to just one score from play in the second period. In today's other Division 1B match, Derry beat Laois 1-16 to 1-12 at Dungiven.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
