Tipperary hang on for win over Waterford but exit Tailteann Cup

Tailteann Cup Group 2 Round 3

TIPPERARY  0-17  WATERFORD 1-13

Tipperary concluded their Tailteann Cup campaign with the narrowest of wins over Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, winning by 0-17 to 1-13, and in the process recording their first-ever win in this new competition for weaker counties now in its second year.
While the victory lifted Tipperary into third place in Group 2, the margin of victory was nowhere near what was required for them to stay in the competition and other results on Saturday and Sunday were to confirm that.
It draws the curtain down on a very disappointing year for Tipperary football with Waterford the only county they could manage to beat - and three times at that - McGrath Cup, Munster Championship and Tailteann Cup. The only other result that wasn't a defeat was an away draw to Longford in the league.
But as disappointing as the final outcome of the weekend was, it was a much improved performance from Tipperary than witnessed two weeks previously against Down at FBD Semple Stadium. Tipp can go away now for the summer and dust themselves down and hopefully return for a more fruitful 2024 which will begin in January in Division 4.
After a bright start in the opening half in which they led by seven points at one stage, Tipperary were left hanging on at the end of the 70 minutes as Waterford tried to force an equaliser against their arch-rivals. Few neutrals would have denied them a share of the spoils for a committed effort in a game that saw them with three clear goal chances, one converted, one resulting in a point, and the other superbly saved by the Tipperary goalkeeper, Michael O'Reilly. Tipperary, on the other hand, failed to create a single goal chance all day. But Tipperary just about held on - and deserved - to after weathering a couple of mini rallies throughout the second half.
David Power’s side enjoyed much the better of the first half, certainly in terms of possession, and if the target was to win by 16 points, they were almost half-way there on the half-hour mark when leading by seven points, 0-9 to 0-2. However, it was the five minute period just before the interval that pulled Waterford right back into the contest and the Deise would have been pleased enough to be only three down at the break.
After nine minutes Tipp were 0-3 to 0-0 up, after two points from Jack Kennedy and another from corner-forward Teddy Doyle, capitalising on a poor Waterford kick-out.
A quick counter attack by Waterford then carved open the Tipperary defence and Darragh Corcoran looked like he was about to hit the back of the net only for a superb low save from Michael O’Reilly to deny him in the 11th minute.
Two further points from play from Jack Kennedy stretched the Premier advantage to five before Waterford finally got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute with a Darragh Corcoran free.
By the 23rd minute Tipp were 0-8 to 0-1 up and in complete control, the added points coming from Jack Kennedy (free) and a pair inside a minute from the midfield partnership of Mark Russell and Conal Kennedy.
Waterford’s first point from play arrived in the 28th minute from Jason Gleeson but it could easily have been a goal with a little bit more composure from the their attack. That score was quickly nullified by a point from Tipp captain Shane O’Connell for a seven points advantage at 0-9 to 0-2 at 30 minutes.
But Waterford were to finish the first half the better and got themselves right back in the game with a superb goal scored by Conor Murray who came through like a train to take a Jason Gleeson over the top hand pass before blasting past the Tipperary keeper.
Waterford then added two frees in the dying minutes from Darragh Corcoran and Jason Curry before Jack Kennedy hit back with an important free for Tipperary to leave the half-time scoreline at 0-10 to 1-4.
The three points interval advantage that Tipp had enjoyed, 0-10 to 1-4, was wiped out by the eighth minute of the second period with Waterford scoring four of the first five post-interval scores from play to make it 0-11 to 1-8. These four scores came from Darragh Corcoran and Michael Curry within 90 seconds of the restart, and from Jordan O’Sullivan and Conor Murray. Sandwiched in between was fine point from Tipp debutant Darragh Brennan who put in a noteworthy full 70 minutes.
Crucially though, Waterford were never able to get their noses in front at any stage and Tipperary steadied themselves once again after that early second half burst with three points from play from Conal Kennedy, Darragh Brennan and Teddy Doyle to lead at the three quarters stage, 0-14 to 1-8.
Waterford, with Rathgormack’s Conor Murray always a threat and Darragh Corcoran accurate on the frees, kept at it with scores and Tipp had Jack Kennedy to thank once again, as it has been all year, as he pointed two further frees, keeping Tipp 0-16 to 1-10 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.
Influential Conal Kennedy then received a black card for Tipp in the 62nd minute, giving Waterford a numerical advantage down the stretch.
A Jason Curry free followed by a fine left footed point from Waterford substitute Donal Fitzgerald made it a one point game with two minutes of normal time remaining and the game very much in the melting pot.

In time added-on Kevin Fahey found himself in space and took his point to double Tipp’s lead before Darragh Corcoran finished the day’s scoring with a free three minutes into added time.
Waterford had possession for the last minute or so trying to create a match-levelling point, but credit to the Tipperary defence they held on for an important psychological win, if nothing else.
While overall it has been a very disappointing year for Tipperary there were some positives in this performance that they can take into the summer recess.

Man of the match Jack Kennedy was immense throughout and his eight points contribution was the difference between the sides. There were also good performances from his brother Conal who was breaking defensive lines especially in the second half, something that again was in short supply throughout the national league and championship. And there were fine starting debuts also for James Morris at wing-back and Darragh Brennan at corner-forward, the latter kicking two fine second half points when Tipperary were under a lot of pressure.

TIPPERARY:

Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials), Shane O’Connell (Capt., Golden/Kilfeacle, 0-1), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials, 0-1), Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials), Mark Russell (Aherlow, 0-1), Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials, 0-2), Emmet Moloney (Drom/Inch), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials, 0-8, 0-5F), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Teddy Doyle (Ballina, 0-2), Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers), Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen, 0-2).

Subs: Paudie Feehan (Killenaule) for Colman Kennedy (42 mins); Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers) for Quirke (48); Mikey O’Shea (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone) for Doyle (57); Keith Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane) for Boland (62); Willie Eviston (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Moloney (67).

WATERFORD:

Paudie Hunt (Rathgormack), Liam Fennell (Stradbally), Darach Ó Cathasaigh (An Rinn), Eoghan McGrath-Butler (De La Salle), Dermot Ryan (capt., The Nire), Brian Looby (Ballinacourty), Jordan O’Sullivan (Portlaw, 0-1), Michael Curry (Rathgormack, 0-1), Brian Lynch (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), Conor Murray (Rathgormack, 1-3), Darragh Corcoran (St Saviour’s, 0-4, 0-3F), Jason Curry (Rathgormack, 0-2F), Michael Kiely (Dungarvan), Jason Gleeson (Rathgormack, 0-1), Sean Whelan-Barrett (Ballinacourty).

Subs: Tom O’Connell (Brickey Rovers) for Whelan-Barrett (48 mins); Donal Fitzgerald (Kilrossanty, 0-1) for O’Sullivan (53); John Devine (Modeligo) for Gleeson (57); Caoimhin Walsh (Kilrossanty) for O Cathasaigh (70+1).

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).