The Big Match on WLR with thanks to George Corbett Seat
A late fightback from the Waterford footballers came up short in the Semple Stadium sunshine as Tipperary prevailed by 1-22 to 1-19 in this evening’s Munster SFC Quarter Final.
Before a crowd of 1,017, 1-8 from full forward Steven O’Brien helped the Premier into an eleven point lead with nine minutes left. The Déise never gave up as Alan Dunwoody collected a kick pass from Conor Murray and rattled the net on 63 minutes. Orange flags by Murray and James Walsh, as well as a white one from Liam Fennell, left Paul Shankey’s side just a goal adrift in injury time. Jason Curry then pulled a two point chance narrowly wide. Tipp won the subsequent kickout and wound down the clock.
The blue and gold progress to a provincial semi final against Clare. The Déise will start their Tailteann Cup campaign on the weekend of May 10/11.
O’Brien scored 1-8 in the first half on his return from injury. He smashed the ball home in the fourth minute. James Power and Alan Dunwoody had given Waterford an early two point lead but that goal put Philly Ryan’s men in the ascendancy. The 2020 Munster medallist added three two pointers with wind assistance (two frees and one from play). The Ballina man came off after 50 minutes. Cian Smith (0-6), Micheál Freaney (0-4) and Darragh Brennan (0-3) also caught the eye in the Tipp attack.
The Premier wasted four goal chances in the second half. Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Colin Foley and Paudie Hunt kept them at bay with brilliant blocks. The game still looked done and dusted when a Smith free made it 1-21 to 0-13 on the 61st minute.
The Déise lost defender Willie Beresford to an ankle injury but didn’t throw in the towel. Captain Conor Murray led the way with five points from play. Alan Dunwoody looked threatening inside and finished with 1-2. James Power worked his socks off and shot three points. Liam Fennell left everything on the pitch as he always does. Waterford outscored their opponents 1-6 to 0-1 in the last fourteen minutes but it proved too little, too late. The visitors made too many turnovers and too many unforced errors throughout the evening.
