Tipp hit rock bottom in loss to Waterford
Tipperary football fell to its lowest point yet as they fell to a more determined Waterford side in this Munster Senior Championship quarter final on Sunday.
GAA: Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Waterford2-7
Tipperary1-5
Report: Shane Brophy at Fraher Field, Dungarvan
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Stephen Curry (Waterford)
SCORERS – Waterford: Tom O’Connell 2-3 (0-3 frees); Stephen Curry 0-3; Jason Curry 0-1 free.
Tipperary: Mark Stokes 1-0; Stephen Grogan, Riain Quigley, Peter McGarry, Teddy Doyle, Conor Sweeney 0-1 each.
Leading 1-2 to 0-1 at half-time having played against the very strong wind, Tipp looked to be in a good position to kick on for victory but all the composure they showed on the ball in the opening half evaporated as Waterford fought back to win comfortably in the end with two Tom O’Connell goals late on proving to be the key scores.
Tipp got off to the perfect start with a Mark Stokes goal in the third minute. Waterford were very passive in their set-up, allowing Tipp to move the ball at their ease despite playing into the teeth of the breeze with Riain Quigley and Stephen Grogan pointing with Stephen Curry registering the home sides opening score in the 31st minute.
Waterford brought more intensity to proceedings in the second half and attacked right from the throw-in, and while they missed with their first opportunity, it signalled their intent. They found it much easier to get shots away and by the 49th minute were level (0-5 to 1-2) with Stephen Curry adding two more from play while Tom O’Connell landed two frees.
A Peter McGarry long range point was Tipp’s first score of the half on 51 minutes but Waterford were on the front foot with O’Connell landing another free. A rare flowing move by Tipp on 61 minutes which led to a Teddy Doyle point edged the visitors back in front before Waterford struck for their first goal six minutes later as Tom O’Connell fisted to the net after a good surge by Alan Dunwoody.
Jason Curry landed a long range free before O’Connell reacted quickest to a Conor O Cuirrin shot off the post to score his sides second goal deep in added time with a late repose from the returning Conor Sweeney the only response from a bitterly disappointing Tipp side who must now regroup for the Tailteann Cup next month.
TEAMS – Waterford: Paudie Hunt; Ross Browne, Caoimhin Walsh, Conor McCarthy; Sean Whelan-Barrett, Billy O’Keeffe, Robbie McGrath; Michael Curry, Jason Curry; Caolan Mac Craith, Donie Fitzgerald, William Beresford; Stephen Curry, Tom O’Connell, James Power.
Subs: Conor O Cuirrin for McCarthy (56 inj); Alan Dunwoody for Mac Craith (63); James Walsh for Fitzgerald (70+1).
Tipperary: Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan/Kilcash); Tadhg Condon (Clonmel Commercials), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule); Stephen Grogan (Cahir), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials), Conor Cadell (JK Brackens); Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields), Conall Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials); Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan), Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials); Riain Quigley (Moyle Rovers), Peter McGarry (Clonmel Commercials).
Subs: Emmett Moloney (Portlaoise) for Deely (42); Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) for Quigley (42); Shane Neville (Cratloe) for O’Shaughnessy (52); Shane O’Connell (Golden Kilfeacle) for Condon (54); Teddy Doyle (Ballina) for Stokes (59).
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
Attendance: 1,071