Davy Fitzgerald started his second coming as Waterford hurling manager with a 0-21 to 1-15 win over Tipperary in the Munster League on a miserable Tuesday night in Mallow.
Late points from Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald and Austin Gleeson squeezed the Déise past the fourteen man Premier in an exciting finish.
It was a night where the newcomers shone bright. Reueben Halloran hit over seven placed balls, Sean Walsh struck two from play while Padraig Fitzgerald came off the bench to shoot two spectacular points late on. Jason Forde fired 1-11 for Tipp who saw defender Cathal Barrett dismissed on two yellows.
The game was moved from Dungarvan to Mallow earlier in the day as Fraher Field failed a pitch inspection. Waterford played with the wind and rain and led five nil after twelve minutes. They made the dressing rooms 10-6 clear.
Colin Dunford claimed the first score of 2023. Reuben Halloran nailed five out of five from frees while Sean Walsh added two from play. Goalkeeper Billy Nolan walloped over a huge free from his own half, saved from Paddy Creedon and dealt with five dropping balls.
Jason Forde got the scoreboard moving for Tipp on 13 minutes. He accounted for five of their six first half singles. Liam Cahill's men were guilty of five wides and five balls short.
The showers got heavier as the teams emerged for the second period. The noise levels went up when Stephen Bennett entered the fray and clashed with his opposite number. A flare-up in front of the stand resulted in yellow cards for Bennett and Cathal Barrett. On 51 minutes, Bennett burst through the middle and was brought down by Dan McCormack for a penalty. Rhys Shelly saved Bennett's bullet. Halloran pointed the subsequent 65 to make it 14-9.
Off the next attack, Jason Forde drilled a low shot under Billy Nolan. The Tipp fans found their voice as Jack Ryan forced a save from Nolan. Forde levelled the match from a free (0-14 to 1-11). Barrett got his marching orders on two yellows with twelve minutes left. Halloran converted the free but Forde replied with a point that wouldn't have looked out of place in June or July.
Points from Iarlaith Daly and Paddy Leavey pushed Waterford ahead but Forde and Cian O'Dwyer pegged them back. Bennett hit the side netting as Austin Gleeson got a few minutes into the legs. Padraig Fitzgerald fired over with his first touch off the bench. His second was a spectacular effort in injury time in front of the stand. The young Kilrossanty man was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a high tackle on Shane Neville. A Gleeson point secured victory.
