Tipperary fall to opening round loss to strong Waterford side in FBD Semple Stadium

Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship - Round 1

Tipperary 0-17

Waterford 1-16

By Michael Dundon

Munster and All-Ireland champions, Tipperary came up just short against a very impressive Waterford side in a lively opening round of this year’s Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship at Semple Stadium on Friday evening.

With only one of last year’s title winning side eligible this year, manager James Woodlock had to develop a completely new team and while they battled with commendable spirit all the way, and looked on course for success 11 minutes into the second half as they led by five points having been three behind at half-time, Waterford regrouped in the last quarter to shade the verdict.

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A disappointment certainly, but four teams come out of Munster for the All-Ireland series and while Tipp’s chances of making the Munster final (top two qualify) may have suffered a setback, they still have a lot to play for in their remaining games, the first of which is away to Clare this week.

Though Tipp had the first point of the game from the impressive Euan Murray, Waterford, with a distinct advantage in physique, were on top from the start. Buoyed by a fifth minute goal from Cormac Spain they were 1-3 to 0-2 ahead after 11 minutes and while Tipp improved as the half progressed, Waterford maintained their advantage to the break at which stage they led 1-7 to 0-7.

It was not a bad position for Tipp, considering their share of first-half possession but serious improvement was needed if the desired result was to be achieved. The Tipp response was thrilling as they reeled off eight points without reply at the start of the second half to go 0-15 to 1-7 clear after 41 minutes and looked winners all the way.

Jack Cahill, son of senior manager, Liam, shot three of those points, one from play, with Paul Cummins, son of U20 manager, Brendan Cummins, also getting on the scoreboard, and goalkeeper Patrick McCormack also landing a long-range point from a free. At that stage a comfortable Tipp win looked on the cards  and a chance of a goal for Tipp by Tommy O’Meara was taken off the Waterford line. 

A goal then would surely have sealed the deal but Waterford weathered the storm and, with key attacker Cormac Spain leading the way, began to eat into the Tipp lead. Three unanswered points from the 48th to 50th minutes had the deficit down to a point, (0-16 to 1-12) and Tipp were under severe pressure. Kieran Rossiter gave temporary relief with a Tipp point but Waterford were on a roll - points from Spain and sub Caoilinn Reville levelled with seven minutes to play.

The momentum was with the Decies and they had two points from Cormac Spain in the 58th and 62nd minutes to hit the front. 

In the final play of the game Tipp won a free which was lobbed into the Waterford goalmouth in pursuit of a winning goal, but, with the entire Waterford team back defending their lines, there was no way through and the vociferous Waterford gathering in the 2,520 attendance showed their delight at the final whistle.

Manager James Woodlock said afterwards that he was delighted with the way his team performed but was bitterly disappointed to lose. 

“We had goal chances in each half but did not take them. That was down to inexperience. 

I am very proud of this performance. The boys never gave up. They took everything on board that we said to them. When we went five points up, it was disappointing that we did not see the game out”, he added.

In the final analysis, Waterford’s early goal was the decider but the team showed lots of character in the manner in which they fought back after that setback. However, if they are to make the final a win over Clare this week is imperative and there with no further “wriggle room” in the remaining games. 

Thurles duo Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter excelled at midfield and centre half-forward as did Tommy O’Meara at full forward, who used his height and strength to good effect, his injury robbing Tipp of a key attacking element in the tense closing minutes. Dylan Hennessy, Patrick Hackett,  and Fred Perry also caught the eye while Jack Cahill’s free-taking was a rich source of scores.

This is a good Waterford team who should be in the shake-up for the title. They are big, strong, mobile and well able to hurl with a match-winner in Cormac Spain who shot 1-9 of their tally and was a constant threat to Tipp. 

Jamie Shanahan, Gearoid O’Shea, and Hugo Quann, Conor Lynch were others to do well for them.

Tipperary: Patrick McCormack (Moneygall); Fred Perry (Moyle Rovers), Kevin Fitzpatrick (Newport), Conor Collins (Galtee Rover); Dylan Hennessy (Mullinahone), Patrick Hackett (Toomevara), Shane Cooney (Clerihan); Kieran Rossiter (Durlas Óg, 0-2), Conor Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore); Padraic O’Shea (JK Brackens), Euan Murray(Durlas Óg, 0-4), Paul Cummins (Ballybacon Grange); Jack Cahill (Ballingarry, 0-9, 0-8f),Tommy O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Conall Morrisson (Moyle Rovers).

Subs used: Jack McGonigle (Rockwell Rovers) for O’Shea (46); Chris Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole) for Morrisson (49); Darragh Doyle (Killenaule) for O’Meara (60).

Waterford: James Comerford; Conor Lynch, Darragh Murphy, Darragh Keane; Bradley Penkert, Hugo Quann, Conor Power (0-1); Gearoid O’Shea (0-2), Pierce Quann; Eoin Burke, Jack Power, Tommy Kennedy; Cormac Spain (1-9, 0-4f), Shane Power (0-1); Jamie Shanahan (0-2).

Subs used: Caoilinn Reville (0-1) for J Shanahan (39); Andrew Power for Burke (52).

Referee: Kieran Guinan (Limerick)

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