More frustration for Tipperary footballers as Waterford snatch a draw

Tipperary 0-16 Waterford 1-13

Waterford and Tipperary shared the spoils in this National Football League Division 4 clash at Canon Hayes Park, Bansha on Sunday, thanks to two late points from the boot of Waterford corner forward Jason Curry.

This result gave the Deise their first point in this year’s league but they still prop up the table, and are on inferior score difference to London.

Going into added time, it looked like Tipp had done enough to secure both points. However, as in the London game in round 3, which also ended in a draw, they were caught late on, having come back into the game to overcome a seven-point deficit at the 26th minute.

Tipperary had two changes from the team announced on Friday night. John Rodgers replaced Evan Comerford between the posts while Darragh Brennan replaced Darragh O’Leary on the subs’ bench.

This game had been moved to the West Tipp venue earlier in the week due to the unavailability of Semple Stadium and the ground was in good order, considering that the Croke Cup All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Hurling semi-final was also played there 24 hours previously.

In a game played before a small crowd Waterford, aided by the wind for the first period, got off to the better start with points from Sean Whelan Barrett, Michael Mullaney and Stephen Curry inside the opening three minutes. Sean O’Connor opened the home side’s account from a placed ball after eight minutes, following a foul on Peter McGarry. Two further points from O’Connor had the sides level for the first time by the quarter-hour mark.

The visitors then hit a purple patch between the 17th and 26th minutes when they outscored the home side by 1-5 to 0-1, with the goal coming from Alan Dunwoody. Tipp recovered well and hit three points before the break, cutting the deficit to four on the score Waterford 1-8, Tipperary 0-7.

In their previous league games, Waterford have been vulnerable at the start of the second half. Tipperary, now aided by the breeze, seemed to sense this and showed the greater intensity after the break, as they kicked the opening three points to cut the deficit to the minimum.

Waterford stemmed the flow with Caolan Mac Craith slotting over two good points in the space of ninety seconds around the 49th minute.

Again, Tipperary opened up the Deise defence and were on level terms by the 58th minute following a point from Clonmel Commercials’ Jack Kennedy and two in quick succession from Paddy Creedon. Jason Curry eased the Deise back in front from a placed ball but again Tipperary responded with another Jack Kennedy point and two from top scorer Sean O’Connor to go two clear with four minutes of normal time remaining.

A converted free from Jason Curry on 68 minutes left the minimum between the sides, and one minute into added time Curry proved the Waterford savour as he converted his fourth point of the afternoon to tie the game and leave the teams level at the final whistle.

Tipp got off to a slow start in this vital league game and trailed the visitors by three before Sean O’Connor opened their account after eight minutes when Peter McGarry was pulled down, having intercepted a Waterford attempted clearance.

Four minutes later O’Connor doubled his tally after being put through by Paddy Creedon and then followed up with another converted free after the Waterford ‘keeper was judged to have over-carried.

Waterford then hit back with a long range point from Dermot Ryan and this was followed by a Stephen Curry minor before Alan Dunwoody crashed a low shot to the bottom corner of the goal, following a good move down the stand side. Waterford were now on a roll and Willie Beresford, Robbie McGrath and Jason Curry, from a free, all added points, with the home side’s only reply coming from a converted free from Sean O’Connor.

Tipp, to their credit, weathered the storm and finished the half on a high, reducing the deficit to four following points from Jack Kennedy (Commercials), Paddy Creedon and James Morris.

After the break, Tipp upped their game considerably and Sean O’Connor converted two placed balls either side of a Shane Neville minor, when he finished off a good move involving Martin Kehoe.

Waterford responded with a couple of good attacks and Caolan Mac Craith split the posts on two occasion in the space of ninety seconds, pushing their advantage out to three after 49 minutes.

Tipperary really came into the game in the final quarter and were on level terms for the second time by the 58th minute after Jack Kennedy (Commercials) and Paddy Creedon (two) found their range. Jason Curry and Jack Kennedy again exchanged points before top scorer Sean O’Connor gave Tipp a two- point advantage with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Tipperary looked like they had weathered the storm but two late points from the boot of Jason Curry tied the game.
The loss of this point has all but put paid to Tipp’s chances of promotion and Division 4 football again looks more likely for 2025.

Scorers: Tipperary: Sean O’Connor (0-8, 6 frees), Paddy Creedon (0-3), Jack Kennedy (Commercials, 0-3), Shane Neville (0-1), James Morris (0-1).

Waterford: Jason Curry (0-4 frees), Alan Dunwoody (1-0), Stephen Curry (0-2), Caolan Mac Craith (0-2), Robbie McGrath (0-1), Willie Beresford (0-1), Dermot Ryan (0-1), Michael Mullaney (0-1), Sean Whelan Barrett (0-1).

Tipperary: Jack Rodgers, Shane O’Connell, Jimmy Feehan, James Morris, Stephen Grogan, Paudie Feehan (captain), Kieran Costello, Cathal Deely, Conal Kennedy, Mark Stokes, Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Peter McGarry, Jack Kennedy (JK Brackens), Paddy Creedon, Sean O’Connor.

Subs: Shane Neville for Cathal Deely (inj, 21), Rory O’Dowd for Kieran Costello (23), Jack Leamy for Jack Kennedy (JK Brackens) (31), Martin Kehoe for Conal Kennedy (33).

Waterford: Paudie Hunt, Conor McCarthy, Billy O’Keeffe, Ross Browne, Robbie McGrath, Dermot Ryan, Liam Fennell, Michael Curry, Willie Beresford, Caolan Mac Craith, Sean Whelan Barrett, Michael Mullaney, Stephen Curry, Alan Dunwoody, Jason Curry (captain).

Subs: Conor Ó Cuirrín for Michael Mullaney (51), Billy Hynes for Robbie McGrath (69), Joe Booth for Caolan Mac Craith (69).

Referee: David Hickey (Carlow).