Waterford finished their Tailteann Cup campaign with a narrow loss to Tipperary at Pairc Ui Chaoimh this afternoon on a final scoreline of 0-17 to 1-13.
TIPPERARY 0-17
WATERFORD 1-13
Tailteann Cup Group 2 Round 3
After a bright start in the first half in which they led by seven at one stage, Tipperary were left hanging on at the end of the 70 minutes as Waterford tried to force the equaliser and few would have denied them a share of the spoils for their committed effort against a county they haven’t beaten in the championship since 1988.
The three points half-time lead 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 points from play to make it 0-11 to 1-8. But Waterford were never able to get their noses in front at any stage and Tipperary steadied themselves again with three points from play from Conal Kennedy, Darragh Brennan and Teddy Doyle to lead at the three quarters stage.
But Waterford with Conor Murray always a threat and Darragh Corcoran accurate on the frees kept in it and it was Jack Kennedy once again, as it has been all year, that Tipperary relied on for some late pointed frees with Kevin Fahey also kicking in with the last Tipp point of the game before Darragh Corcoran finished the scoring with a free three minutes into added time.
While it has been a very disappointing year for Tipperary with Waterford the only side they have beaten, three times now since January, there were some positives today that they can take into the summer recess now.
Jack Kennedy was immense throughout and his eight points contribution was the difference between the sides. But there were also good performances from his brother Conal who was breaking lines especially in the second half, something that again has been in short supply throughout the league and championship. And there were fine starting debuts also for James Morris and Darragh Brennan, the latter kicking two fine second half points when Tipperary were under pressure.
Tipperary had had 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.
The stand out player of the opening half was Jack Kennedy who kicked six points, three from play and three from out-of-the-hand frees.
After nine minutes Tipp were 0-3 to 0-0 up, two from the Clonmel Commercials centre-forward and another from corner-forward Teddy Doyle, capitalising on a poor Waterford kick-out.
A quick counter attack by Waterford 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 20th 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 came in the 28th minute from Jason Gleeson but it could easily have been a goal. It was quickly nullified by a deserved 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 half the better and got themselves back into 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 another free for Tipperary.
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).
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, 0-1), 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).
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).