Waterford hold out for close win over Tipperary
Waterford 2-24 Tipperary 2-20
Waterford held out for a close four point win over Tipperary in the opening round robin game at Walsh Park on Sunday. With 10,983 patrons were in attendance, conditions were wet up to the start of the game, but dry conditions prevailed throughout the entire game.
The home side started well with Neil Montgomery placing Patrick Curran for the first score inside the first minute. Stephen Bennett followed with two frees, before Jack Prendergast soloed through and pointed in the 6th minute. Tipperary’s first score was a goal by Mark Kehoe after good play by Jason Forde.
Tipperary took control and points by Barry Heffernan, Jake Morris, Jason Forde and Michael Breen had them a goal ahead 1-4 to 0-4 after 11 minutes. Both sides exchanged points with Tipp ahead 1-6 to 0-6 after 19 minutes. Points by Conor Bowe and Noel McGrath opened up a five point lead and by the 29th minute, Tipperary were 1-12 to 0-9 clear.
Stephen Bennett placed Patrick Curran for a point in the 33rd minute. Good play by Darragh Lyons led to a point by Shane McNulty as Tipperary held a narrow interval lead of 1-12 to 0-11.
WATERFORD STAY STRONG
The Deise side introduced Austin Gleeson and Jamie Barron for the second half. They thundered into the game and points by Stephen Bennett and Gleeson were followed by a Mikey Dwyer goal after good play by Stephen Bennett, Jack Prendergast and Patrick Curran, as they edged ahead 1-13 to 1-12. Callum Lyons worked well for Jamie Barron who pointed. Stephen Bennett with a free opened up a 3 point lead.
Brian Hogan with a long range free kept Tipperary in touch. Conor Prunty worked well for Patrick Curran who restored the 3 point lead. Noel McGrath pointed for Tipperary. Waterford had their 2nd goal when Jack Fagan worked well for Mikey Kiely, who combined for Dessie Hutchinson who netted, to now leave it 2-16 to 1-14.
Dan McCormack came on for Tipperary and did very well. By the 55th minute Waterford led 2-19 to 1-16. Jake Morris forced Shaun O’Brien to save well. Tipperary had their second goal by Mark Kehoe after good play by Conor Stakelum and by the 62nd minute, the lead was down to a point 2-20 to 2-19.
Austin Gleeson pointed a sideline cut. In the 68th minute Noel McGrath pointed a free, leaving it 2-21 to 2-20. Waterford finished well. Iarlaith Daly made two vital clearances. They had late points by Shane McNulty, Patrick Curran and Dessie Hutchinson as they collected two valuable points ahead of their round 2 game with Limerick this Saturday evening in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 0-10(f.), Dessie Hutchinson 1-3, Patrick Curran 0-4, Mikey Kiely 1-0, Shane McNulty 0-2, Jamie Barron 0-2, Austin Gleeson 0-2 (0-1 s/l), Jack Prendergast 0-1.
Tipperary: Mark Kehoe 2-0, Noel McGrath 0-6 (0-2f), Jason Forde 0-4(f.), Jake Morris 0-2, Michael Breen 0-2, Dan McCormack 0-2, Conor Bowe 0-1, Barry Heffernan 0-1, Conor Stakelum 0-1, Brian Hogan 0-1f.
Waterford: Shaun O’Brien (De La Salle), Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater), Conor Prunty (Abbeyside), Shane McNulty (De La Salle), Jack Fagan (do), Tadhg de Burca (ClashmoreKinsalebeg), Callum Lyons (Ballyduff Lower), Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan), Carthrach Daly (Lismore), Neil Montgomery (Abbeyside), Jack Prendergast (Lismore), Patrick Curran (Dungarvan), Mikey Kiely (Abbeyside), Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart), Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner). Subs: Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart) for Mikey Kiely, Iarlaith Daly (Lismore) for Jack Fagan, Peter Hogan (Ballygunner) for Darragh Lyons.
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).