The Waterford Under 20 hurlers lost to Tipperary by 2-21 to 1-20 in Thurles last night.
A Peter McGarry goal five minutes from time sent Brendan Cummins' side through to the semi finals at the end of the month. Kyle Shelly struck 1-10 for the Premier.
Padraig Fitzgerald shot 1-2 from play for the Déise, including a second half goal, while free taker Aaron Ryan scored ten points. Waterford welcome Kerry to Fraher Field next Wednesday night in a must win game for both sides.
Manager Gary O'Keeffe praised Mark Fitzgerald for taking the field less than two months after he suffered a broken jaw in a challenge match. "If I can say one thing about the man, he has a steely determination to play for Waterford and his club Passage. If that can bring healing powers, it has. It's phenomenal what he has done to be on that field tonight."
He felt that Tipperary's first goal from Kyle Shelly was a square ball. "From where I was standing, I would have said yes. We can't argue now. I had my words with the linesman at the time. They were fairly certain it wasn't so we just have to accept that decision."
