Jack Garrett kicked five points as the Tipperary minors defeated Waterford 1-14 to 0-9 in the Kilrossanty sunshine on Tuesday evening.
The speedy number seven was a menace from start to finish. The Waterford defence finally got a breather when the Arravale Rovers man came off with cramp three minutes from the end.
After a famous win for the seniors on Sunday, the stand was packed in Lemybrien on a bright April evening. The home crowd found their voice nine minutes into the second half when Paul Power's charges closed within a point. Tipp led 8-3 at the break but frees from Paddy McCarthy and Joe Brennan along with two Luke Hennessy singles left just one between them.
A powerful Premier outfit pulled away with 1-6 in the space of fifteen minutes. Garrett and Ciaran Kelly got two points each. Déise netminder Conor Drohan made a double save before Tipp sub Alex Coppinger reacted quickest, when a free struck the post, and fired home. Midfield duo Dylan Cotter and Oran Gahan also drove the blue and gold forward.
Paddy McCarthy could emulate Brickey Rangers club mate Tom O'Connell and star for the Waterford seniors in years to come. The number fourteen was denied an early goal by Tipp shot stopper Mark Conroy. McCarthy landed the subsequent 45 over the green and gold spot. A lovely effort from wing back Paddy Spellman, off the outside of his left, made it two points apiece after ten minutes.
Waterford suffered a setback when Liam Kavanagh got black carded for halting a Tipp counter attack, much to the frustration of the locals. The fifteen men capitalised with three unanswered points via Sean Griffin, Jack Garrett and Dylan Cotter.
With Waterford back to their full complement, McCarthy converted a 40 metre free out of his hands. The visitors finished the half with three on the trot however as Garrett, Cian Collins and Jamal Yousif all raised white flags (0-8 to 0-3). Seven wides to nil was another sign of Tipp's superiority.
A fisted point from Luke Hennessy followed by one with his right boot brought the deficit down to one by the 39th minute. That was as good as it got for the Déise.
Tipp can look forward to a Phase 1 final against Clare at the end of the month. Waterford welcome Limerick to Lemybrien next Tuesday. Win, lose or draw, Paul Power's side will advance to the tier three All Ireland series.
