Waterford edge out Tipperary after a keenly contested game in Dungarvan

An absorbing contest was in the balance until the last second but in the end, Waterford secured a two-point win over Tipperary in the 2023 TG4 Munster Senior Championship clash at Dungarvan GAA club this afternoon. 

After a cagey start Waterford opened the scoring with a green flag, when a powering run by Kate McGrath began an attack that was finished to the net by Lauren McGregor in the 9th minute. Six minutes later she added a point before Kelly Ann Hogan sent a free over the bar to put Waterford 1-2 to 0-0 up. 

 Tipp roared back into the match in the 20th minute when some Aishling Moloney trickery set up Clara English who found herself in a one-on-one situation with the keeper. She blazed over from close range but a minute later Marie Creedon set up Emma Morrissey at the edge of the square where she calmly palmed to the net. Game on with the home side just a point up after dictating the early proceedings. 

Waterford showed real character to respond again. Brid McMaugh, Katie Murray and Lauren McGregor scored from play while Kelly Ann Hogan pointed a free to give the momentum back to the Deise. With the half drifting to a close Aishling Moloney sent over two quick frees to leave it Waterford 1-6 Tipperary 1-3 at the break. 

Tipp needed a good start to the second half and Neassa Towey provided it with a punched point from an Aishling Moloney free that dropped to the edge of the square. Waterford kept their drive going and the impressive Brid McMaugh sent over a sweet strike with the right boot to leave it 1-7 to 1-4 with the home side keeping Tipp at a distance. 

In the 42nd minute Tipp worked it back to a two-point game when Niamh Martin, who came on in the first half for the injured Anna Rose Kennedy, kicked a fine point to leave it 1-7 to 1-5. The absorbing contest meant both sides had their chances but Waterford stretched their lead when Kelly Ann Hogan struck her third point from a free on 47 minutes. 

Niamh Martin was playing well for Tipp and kicked another point as she searched for a goal to leave it 1-8 to 1-6 on 51 minutes. Tipp kept clawed at the Waterford lead and with five minutes left, Aishling Moloney sent over a free to put just one point between the teams. An exciting finish to the absorbing contest meant both sides gave it everything. Waterford attacked and late on seized the day as Emma Murray sent over a point to huge applause. 

Tipp, full of character, attacked again in time added on and Emma Morrissey kicked in a dropping ball in the last second which dropped by the square to Aishling Moloney, she punched the ball but the Waterford defence held firm as the full-time whistle sounded. Afterwards Waterford manager Pat O'Sullivan said "This was a game we probably would have lost last year but this year we proved mentally and physically a lot stronger".