Tipp edge past Waterford to secure home semi-final

GAA: O’Neills.com Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 2

Tipperary2-21

Waterford1-20

Report: Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Kyle Shelly (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: 1-10 (0-9 frees, 0-1 65); Peter McGarry 1-2; Jack Leamy, Paddy Creedon 0-2 each; Cathal Quinn, John Campion, Darragh Stakelum, Ed Connolly, Colm Fogarty 0-1 each.

Waterford: Aaron Ryan 0-10 (6 frees, 3 65s); Padraig Fitzgerald 1-2; Patrick Fitzgerald 0-3 (1 free); Jack O Floinn, Seanie Callaghan, Sean Walsh, Jake Foley, Mark Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Tipperary booked a home semi-final in the Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship after seeing off Waterford on Wednesday evening.

The sides shared the first four scores before Tipp went two clear for the first time through Peter McGarry and the accurate free-taking of Kyle Shelly who top scored with 1-10.

The home side went three clear on three occasions with Ed Connolly, John Campion and Jack Leamy all adding points from play but at the other end Waterford were always a threat with Patrick & Padraig Fitzgerald impressing as the home side went in at half time 0-12 to 0-11 in front, while senior panellist Mark Fitzgerald impressed at centre field on his return from injury.

Kyle Shelly tapped home Tipp’s first goal in the 32nd minute but it was cancelled out by Padraig Fitzgerald green flag three minutes later before an Aaron Ryan free gave Waterford their only lead of the game shortly after.

However, Tipp responded well and enjoyed greater control of the game in the second half with Paddy Creedon and Jack Leamy effective, and it was Leamy’s assist which played in Peter McGarry’s for his 55th minute goal which turned the game ultimately in Tipp’s favour as they won the group and progression to a home semi-final against Cork or Limerick, while Waterford can join them if they beat Kerry next week.

TEAMS - Tipperary: Paidi Williams (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Conor O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs), Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane); Conor O’Brien (Mullinahone), James Armstrong (Thurles Sarsfields), Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs); John Campion (Drom & Inch, Capt), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields); Ed Connolly (Loughmore/Castleiney), Peter McGarry (St Mary’s), Jack Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle); Eddie Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs: Conor McKelvey (Silvermines) for O’Brien (38); Colm Fogarty (Lorrha) for Connolly (45); Sean Kenneally (Moneygall) for Ryan (48); Tony Cahill (Drom & Inch) for Creedon (59).

Waterford: Cian Troy; Jamie Power, Ronan Power, Jack O Floinn; Joe Booth, Johnny Burke, Rory Furlong; Seamus Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald; Aaron Ryan, Tireoghain Flynn, Patrick Fitzgerald; Seanie Callaghan, Sean Walsh, Padraig Fitzgerald.

Subs: Willie Beresford for Flynn (42); Jake Foley for Callaghan (49); Padraig Hynes for S Fitzgerald (58); Josh Fitzgerald for R Power (60+3).

Referee: Niall Malone (Clare)