Tipp held by Waterford in Football League opener

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 4 Round 1

Waterford0-10

Tipperary0-10

Report: Shane Brophy in Dungarvan

MATCH DIGEST

SCORERS – Waterford: Darragh Corcoran 0-5 (4 frees); Dermot Ryan 0-2 (1 free, 1 45); Brian Lynch, Conor Murray, Dylan Guiry 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Conor Sweeney 0-7 (6 frees); Mikey O’Shea, Eanna McBride, Colman Kennedy 0-1 each.

Tipperary can be relieved to have earned a share of the spoils from this opening round National Football League Division 4 clash with Waterford on Sunday.

While it was Waterford who got the equalising score from a Dermot Ryan free five minutes into added time, it was what they deserved having shown the greater drive throughout an error-strewn affair.

Tipperary named five players making their National League debuts with Willie Eviston, Eanna McBride and former Kerry underage recruit Sean O’Connell coming in the defence while Mullinahone duo Martin Kehoe and Mikey O’Shea started in the forwards.

However, it was an old reliable in captain Conor Sweeney who got the opening score on four minutes and quickly added another free. Waterford were level by the eleventh minute with points from play from Conor Murray and Darragh Corcoran.

Mikey O’Shea got Tipp’s first score from play before he won a free which Sweeney converted, although the chance also saw Jason Lonergan hit the post.

Waterford were creating problems for themselves with loose passing and Conor Sweeney was the beneficiary with his first from play in 22 minutes. Dermot Ryan did superbly well to clear the ball off the line as Tipp threatened a goal but it was the home side that went up the other end where Dylan Guiry pointed following the only time Tipp lost a kickout in the opening half.

Eanna McBride restored Tipp’s two point advantage but sloppy play in added time allowed Darragh Corcoran (free) and Dermot Ryan (45) to bring Waterford level at half time at 0-6 apiece.

Conor Sweeney nudged Tipp ahead after the restart but points from Brian Lynch and a Corcoran free had Waterford in front for the first time on 48 minutes. Colman Kennedy responded for Tipp before Corcoran restored the home sides advantage with Conor Sweeney bringing the sides level on the hour mark.

His sixth pointed free on 67 minutes looked set to give Tipperary the win, particularly when Waterford’s Liam Fennell was sent off for a strong challenge on Sweeney. However, seven minutes of injury time were signalled and after Tipp failed to extend their lead when Evan Comerford’s 45 fell short, a foul on Dermot Ryan allowed Darragh Corcoran earn Waterford a deserved draw.

TEAMS – Waterford: Aaron Beresford; Liam Fennell, Darach O Cathasaigh, Dave Meehan; Dermot Ryan, Brian Looby, Jack Flavin; Brian Lynch, Michael Curry; Conor Murray, David Hallihan, Tom O’Connell; Stephen Curry, Dylan Guiry, Darragh Corcoran.

Subs: James Walsh for O’Connell (53); Conor Curran for Flavin (65); James O’Leary for Hallihan (67); Sean Boyce for Meehan (70).

Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Shane O’Connell, Willie Eviston, Colm O’Shaughnessy; Bill Maher, Sean O’Connell, Eanna McBride; Conal Kennedy, Stephen Quirke; Martin Kehoe, Kevin Fahey, Colman Kennedy; Mikey O’Shea, Conor Sweeney, Jason Lonergan.

Subs: Shane Foley for Kehoe (34); Luke Boland for McBride (HT); Sean O’Connor for Lonergan (47); Robbie Kiely for Sean O’Connell (47); Paudie Feehan for Quirke (65).

Referee: David Murnane (Cork)