Tipperary 5-18
Waterford 3-16
(After extra-time)
Despite leading the whole way up until the final few moments of normal time, Waterford suffered defeat against Tipperary in last night's Munster Under-20 hurling semi-final.
The All-Ireland champions came from five points down with five minutes to play to defeat the Deise after extra time in Fraher Field.
In a thrilling contest, Waterford led at halftime 1-8 to 1-6 but ought to have been further in front at the break having shot eight wides in the opening period.
Michael Kiely scored a goal for the Deise after four minutes - the Abbeyside player was in devastating form throughout.
Tipperary responded with a goal of their own through Andrew Ormond on 16 minutes, Kiely also missed a penalty for the Deise in that opening period.
Kiely and Gavin Fives opened the second half scoring for Waterford, Tipperary responding through Gearoid O'Connor and the impressive Devin Ryan. And when Michael Kiely was pulled down midway through the second half, his penalty rattled the net on this occasion, and Waterford were 5 points to the good and in a commanding position.
But Tipperary didn't give up being the All-Ireland champions that they are, Devon Ryan reeled back the deficit before Cormac Power with a brilliant long range score put Waterford a goal in front 2-14 to 1-14 entering injury time.
Max Hackett though had the final say, he was at the end of a fine team move and he billowed the net to make it to 2-14 to 2-14 the sides level after 66 minutes of action.
And so extra time followed. That first period was where the game was sewn up as Tipperary hit three goals, two of them coming from Devon Ryan and Conor Bowe with the other as they led 5-17 to 2-14 at the end of the first period of extra time.
Credit to Waterford they died with their boots on and Cormac Power, the Ballygunner club man, got Waterford's third goal. Injuries to Sam Fitzgerald, Iarlaith Daly and Michael Kiely didn't help Waterford's cause but they certainly battled to the bitter end. It's Tipperary who march through to face Cork in next week's Bord Gáis Energy Munster U20 hurling final with Cork.
Scorers for Waterford: Michael Kiely 2-2 (1-0 pen), Cormac Power 1-1, Kevin Mahony 0-4 (4fs), Alan Kirwan, James Power 0-2 each, Sam Fitzgerald, Gavin Fives, Cian Wadding, Johnny Burke, Rueben Halloran 0-1 each.
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