Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship:

Tipperary 1-24 (27)

Waterford 2-14 (20)

Despite a spirited second half display, Waterford lost out to Tipperary by seven points at Semple Stadium – all but ending their fading hopes of provincial progression.

Lismore’s Ben O’Sullivan fired two second half goals but a ten-minute spell before then had seen the hosts fire 1-7 without response to effectively end any Waterford challenge.

Waterford started the brighter and went into an early two point lead as Mark Hartley split the posts impressively from the middle of the park with just fifteen minutes played – before Ben O’Sullivan and Hartley again found the radar either side of a well-taken score from Senan Butler.

Despite how early it was, that was essentially as good as it got – Brendan Cummins’ side responding with 1-7 in succession. A great turn and score from the impressive Paddy McCormack saw him open his personal account before Butler levelled proceedings and McCormack then moved the Premier in front when found in acres.

Oisin O’Donoghue then shrugged off his man and made no mistake before Adam Daly was afforded far too much space to join the scorers’ list.

The next two scores then went the way of O’Donoghue as the Cashel King Cormacs man began to make his mark before McCormack caught a long ball and drove at the defence before firing into the top left corner on 14 minutes. Even then, you got the sense that it was Tipperary’s game to lose.

Waterford responded admirably with fine points from Conor Tobin, O’Sullivan and Jack Twomey either side of another Daly effort – but Tipperary ended the half in the ascendancy.

Jim Ryan and Hartley traded dead balls before two fine points from Cathal English either side of another trademark McCormack score made it 1-13 to 0-7.

Gearoid Power and Michael Morrissey did their utmost to reduce arrears but Waterford still trailed by seven at the break.

The Premier went eleven ahead early in the second period as Daly notched another before Morrissey fired his second – but Daly, O’Donoghue (2) and McCormack were proving almost unplayable as the Deise couldn’t get to grips with them.

Jack Twomey floated over a superb point from a sideline cut in one of few Waterford highlights by this point – but they were afforded some slim hope on 46 minutes when Lismore man O’Sullivan drove home having followed in the loose sliotar and pulling to the net.

That brought affairs back to an eight point game, before substitute Tom Carey and O’Donoghue traded frees and moments later on 52 minutes – O’Sullivan was on hand to bat home his second goal following a fine catch from Pat Walsh to tee him up.

A free from Carey shortened the gap to four on 53 minutes but that was as good as it got – Adam Regan’s goal effort was well shut down by the Premier rearguard and they went upfield to score another four points on the spin via Joe Egan, Daly and substitute Jamie Ormond (2) to solidify an admittedly deserved seven-point victory.

Waterford’s wait for a win at this grade goes on – next up for Ken McGrath’s men is Cork away next Wednesday.

Waterford: Alex Reade; Daniel Lalor, Fiacra Cooney, Conor Keane; Sean Mackey, Aaron O’Neill, Cillian Ryan; Joe McDonnell, Evan Spellman; Michael Morrissey (0-02), Mark Hartley (0-03; 0-02f), Jack Twomey (0-02; 0-01 sdl); Conor Tobin (0-01), Gearoid Power (0-01), Ben O’Sullivan (2-02)

Subs: Billy O’Connell for Fiacra Cooney (36); Pat Walsh for Gearoid Power (42); Tom Carey (0-03; 0-03f) for Mark Hartley (42); Adam Regan for Evan Spellman (51)

Tipperary: Eoin Horgan; Cathal O’Reilly, Aaron O’Halloran, Podge O’Dwyer; Adam Ryan, Jim Ryan (0-01; 0-01f), David Ryan; Joe Egan (0-01), Adam Daly (0-05); Cathal English (0-02), Conor Martin, David Costigan; Senan Butler (0-02), Oisin O’Donoghue (0-07; 0-03f), Paddy McCormack (1-04).

Subs: Mason Cawley for Aaron O’Halloran (38); Jamie Ormond (0-02) for Senan Butler (42); Robbie Ryan for David Costigan (53); Cormac Fitzpatrick for Cathal English (60)

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)

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