Holders Tipperary are back in the Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship final

Tipperary 1-24 Waterford 2-14

A third win on the trot put defending champions Tipperary through to the oneills.com Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship final, the Premier County boys seeing off the challenge of Waterford by seven points at Semple Stadium last Wednesday evening in round four of the round robin series.

Following their loss to Limerick in the opening round at Semple Stadium, Tipperary recorded great away wins over Cork and Clare to top the table in the round robin series.

It was imperative that Tipp got a result from the Waterford visit and a scoring flourish between the 5th and 16th minutes, which yielded 1-6 without reply, had them cruising, even without senior stars Sam O'Farrell, the team captain, and Darragh Mc Carthy. Both were rested after their efforts against Limerick in the senior championship the previous Sunday, with another big day away to Cork in the senior championship following four days later.

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Waterford opened impressively, going 0-3 to 0-1 ahead inside five minutes, but then Tipp clicked into gear. Paddy McCormack, Oisin O’Donoghue and Adam Daly were all key men as Tipp swept forward with purpose, picking off some delightful scores.

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McCormack hit 1-2 in the spell, Oisin O’Donoghue had three points, two from play, and Adam Daly contributed two points. In addition it was his delivery that set Paddy McCormack up for the goal after 14 minutes, as Tipp pushed 1-9 to 0-4 clear.

The visitors were struggling but they settled. Eoin Horgan in the Tipp goal had to be at his best to stop Ben O’Sullivan netting for Waterford in the 18th minute and Waterford also had the last two points of the first half, cutting the Tipp lead to seven points, 1-13 to 0-9. Two pointable frees that went astray did not help Waterford’s cause but Tipp still looked the likely winners at the break.

The third quarter saw the home county extend their advantage to 1-19 to 0-11, as they outscored Waterford six points to two, but once more Waterford got a foothold as the contest became scrappy.

Tipp lost fullback Aaron O’Halloran to injury after 38 minutes and he was missed when the Waterford surge came later.
Ben O’Sullivan sparked the Waterford push with a 46th minute goal and he followed with another six minutes later, both off high deliveries into the Tipp goalmouth. A Tom Carey pointed free left Waterford just four points behind (2-13 to 1-20) with six minutes to play.

Questions were being asked of the Tipp lads’ bottle and they responded well, hitting four points without reply through Joe Egan, Jamie Ormond (two) and Adam Daly to go eight clear after 63 minutes. Waterford had a final point from a Tom Carey free in the 64th minute but the night belonged to Tipp.

Tipperary manager Brendan Cummins confirmed afterwards that there was never any question of seniors Darragh McCarthy and Sam O’Farrell playing four days ahead of the senior clash with Cork.

“To be fair, Liam Cahill (the senior manager) let them play our last game against Clare but there was no question of them playing tonight.

“We have to mind young players and the senior team is the be-all and end-all, and we all just hope the lads do the business on Sunday,” he said.

Despite some occasional drops in intensity, Tipp’s performance was impressive and, to their credit, when Waterford threatened, they picked up the pace again to finish comfortable winners.

There were big games from Paddy McCormack, Oisin O’Donoghue and Adam Daly in particular. But the performances of Cathal O’ Reilly, Jim Ryan, Joe Egan and Jamie Ormond, when introduced, were eye-catching also.

When Waterford were moving well they had top-class displays from Ben O’Sullivan, Michael Morrissey, Jack Twomey, Aaron O’Neill and Conor Keane, while sub Pat Walsh made a big impact when introduced.

Tipperary: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams); Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross/Ballycahill), Aaron O’ Halloran (Carrick Swan), Podge O’ Dwyer (Killenaule); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Jim Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill, 0-1f), David Ryan (Arravale Rovers); Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris, 0-1), Adam Daly (Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams, 0-5); Cathal English (Fr Sheehy’s, 0-2), Conor Martin (Cappawhite), David Costigan (Moycarkey/Borris); Senan Butler (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, 0-2), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs, 0-7, 4fs), Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh, 1-4).

Subs: Nathan Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og) for O’Halloran (38 mins), Jamie Ormonde (JK Brackens, 0-2, for Butler (42 mins), Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill) for Costigan (53 mins), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom/Inch) for English (63 mins).

Waterford: Alex Reade; Daniel Lalor, Fiacra Cooney, Conor Keane; Sean Mackey, Aaron O’Neill, Cillian Ryan; Joe McDonnell, Evan Spelman; Michael Morrissey (0-2), Mark Hartley (0-3, 2fs), Jack Twomey (0-2); Conor Tobin (0-1), Gearoid Power (0-1), Ben O’Sullivan (2-2).

Subs: Joe O’Keeffe for McDonnell (h/t); Billy O’Connell for Cooney (35 mins); Tom Casey (0-3fs) for Hartley (42 mins), Pat Walsh for Power (42 mins), Adam Regan for Spelman (51 mins).

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan, Cork.