Tipp under 20's survive with extra time win over Waterford

Scoring 3-4 in the first period of extra time saw Tipperary progress to the Munster Under 20 Hurling final after, holding on to their title by the tips of the fingernails.

GAA: Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Waterford3-16

Tipperary 5-18 (AET)

Report: Liam Hogan at Fraher Field, Dungarvan

The victory came from nowhere as a Tipperary side who played the opening 52 minutes like a sheep blinded by the lights as a well organised and a powerfully built Waterford side would dominate the game and were unlucky not to hold out for a win.

The game was four minutes old when Waterford struck gold as Michael Kiely eased past Conor Whelan and blast a low one past Aaron Browne. Kiely was to become a thorn in Tipperary’s side, and he had the opportunity to double his tally when Waterford won a penalty, but Browne was equal to the shot and Tipp cleared.

Waterford, helped by the slight breeze, were full value for money as Kiely, Kevin Mahony, James Power, Pat Leevy controlled matters but they should have been much further ahead than five points but accuracy from frees and play would let them down and the wides would reach seven after twenty minutes and nine by half time.

Kevin McCarthy was Tipp’s best player and after the first water break which saw Waterford lead 1-4 to 0-2 when his fifty-metre solo run saw him link up with Kian O’Kelly who in turn turned provider for Andrew Ormond to score a great goal after side stepping his marker.

Waterford went four in front before two Devon Ryan frees cut the margin to two approaching half time. The loss of Ray McCormack, through injury was going to be felt but at half time it was Waterford 1-8 Tipperary 1-6.

By the 35th minute points by Kiely and Gavin Fives edged Waterford four to the good. Both defences were Conor Ryan and Iarlaith Daly (fresh from the senior final on Sunday) stood firm. Their only downfall was the needless concession of frees and three Devon Ryan placed balls brought Tipp with the minimum after forty minutes. Both Cormac Power and Conor Bowe exchanged points before Kiely and another Mahony free had Waterford three in front at the second water break.

A brilliant point by sub James Devaney kept Tipp in the frame. By now Eoghan Connolly and Keith Ryan along with Devaney and McCarthy continued to move things along. How any hopes of a win seemed to disappear when Michael Kiely blasted a penalty to the net. Waterford led 2-13 to 1-11 with eight minutes remaining.

It was all or nothing for Tipp now as Devon Ryan pointed a free in the 53rd minute. The remaining minutes were devoid of any scores and reaching the hour mark six minutes of additional time appeared on the bord. Tipp continued to fight and Devin Ryan might have scored a goal from close range, but he rushed his shot, and it was deflected over the bar by the Waterford keeper.

There was another four minutes and one final move saw a Johnny Ryan clearance find Sean Hayes who looped in from the right and picked out Max Hackett who had gathered speed as he collected the ball and with a lot to do, he squeeze past a Waterford defender before shooting low for an equalising goal and forcing extra time.

Relieved to have a second chance, Tipperary availed of the strengthening breeze. It just took ninety seconds for Conor Bowe and James Devaney to move Tipp two in front. Waterford’s attempt to narrow the gap failed as Kevin Mahony (free) and Johnny Burke from play were off target. Tipp continued to press on and an attempt for a point by Devaney failed to make the distance but dropped on the edge of the small square where Waterford goalkeeper Dean Beecher and Tadgh Foley, under pressure from Kian O’Kelly, failed to deal with the situation and the ball broke to the unmarked Devon Ryan who one handed the ball low to the net.

Two minutes later Ryan increased the Tipp lead with an angled free. There was more. A poorly executed puckout saw Devaney intercept, set off on a solo run before laying of the ball to Conor Bowe lashed the ball to the net. Nine points to the good there was only one team and with the pressure off they came again with Devon Ryan doubling his goal tally before Conor Bowe added a point to see Tipp 5-18 to 2-14 in front at the final changeover.

Backed by an even stronger breeze, Waterford came in search of bridging the thirteen-point gap. They had to wait five minutes before Alan Kirwan fired over a point. One minute later Tipperary’s Sean Hayes was sent off for a straight red card. This put Tipp under pressure and when Cormac Power secured Waterford’s third goal after Paddy Leevy and Kevin Mahony were involved in the build up.

Weather conditions were getting worse as Waterford continued in their pursuit of another goal but had to be happy with a Cian Wadding point. There was no coming back for the Deise. Tipp were through to the Munster final for the third year in a row where Cork again will be their opponents on Wednesday 23rd December at 7.30pm in Pairc Ui Chaoimh

SCORERS for Tipperary: Devin Ryan 2-10 (0-8 frees); Conor Bowe 1-3; Andrew Ormond 1-1; Max Hackett 1-0; Kevin Maher, Kevin McCarthy, Gearoid O’Connor, James Devaney 0-1 each.

Waterford: Michael Kiely 2-2 (1-0 pen); Kevin Mahony 0-5 (4 frees); Cormac Power 1-1; James Power 0-2; Sam Fitzgerald, Rueben O’Halloran, Gavin Fives, Johnny Burke, Alan Kirwan, Cian Wadding 0-1 each.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Aaron Browne (Knockavilla Kickhams); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Conor Whelan (Carrick Davins), Eanna McBride (J K Brackens); Eoghan Connolly (Cashel), Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh); Kevin Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara); Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy), Devon Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams); Andrew Ormond (J K Brackens), Kian O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons).

Subs: Keith Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane) for McCormack (29 inj); Sean Hayes (Kiladangan) for S Ryan (42); James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh) for O’Connor (45); Max Hackett (Moycarkey/Borris) for Purcell (52); Darragh Flannery (Kiladangan) for McBride (3 ET); Stephen Kirwan (Burgess) for O’Kelly (70); Conor O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs) for D Ryan (13 ET).

Waterford: Dean Beecher; Conor Ryan, Tadgh Foley, Sam Fitzgerald; Rory Furlong, Iarlaith Daly, Luke O’Brien; Paddy Leevy, Cian Wadding; James Power, Gavin Fives, Rueben O’Halloran; Kevin Mahony, Michael Kiely, Alan Kirwan.

Subs: Johnny Burke for O’Halloran (38); Cormac Power for Daly (44 inj); Oisin O Ceallaigh for Kirwan (52 inj); Eoghan O’Reilly for Power (55); Eamonn O Crotaigh for Fitzgerald (60 inj); PJ Fanning for Fives (ET); James Power for Kiely (17 ET inj); Rueben O’Halloran for O’Reilly (HT ET); Alan Kirwan for O Ceallaigh (HT ET).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Limerick)