Tipp minors show glimpses in progressing past Waterford
GAA: Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Playoff 2
Waterford 2-6
Tipperary 2-11
No wins in the grade for over two years and then two come a long in a week as the Tipperary minor footballers extended their season by another two weeks at least.
Off the back of their first playoff round win over Limerick, Tipperary would have been expected to get past Waterford last evening at picture-esque Leamybrien, at the foot of the Comeragh mountains, and they did that more comprehensively than the five point margin indicates.
While Waterford are the weakest of the footballing counties in Munster, there was still enough to suggest Tipperary have developed over the last three weeks. There is a noticeable fluency to their play when they get on the ball as players become more comfortable playing with eachother at this level as a number of players bed into positions, particularly at midfield where Keith Ryan and Kevin Hayes provided the platform in the second quarter from where Tipp built a decisive seven point half time advantage, 1-9 to 1-2.
This was despite the concession of a tenth minute goal as James Ryan was allowed run in from the wing unchallenged and fire past Callan Scully. It gave the home side a 1-1 to 0-2 lead at that stages after Sean O'Connor and Johnny Ryan had kicked early points for Tipp.
From there to half time, dominating possession, Tipp moved the ball quickly and intelligently, looking to play it in early to Sean O'Connor and Kyle Shelly who were a presence in the full forward line. Shelly in particular who forced a good save in the twelfth minute out of Niall McSweeney, who would deny him again just on half time. Shelly also won some crucial frees which led to points for free-takers O'Connor and Christy English.
Tipp's first goal was on the fortunate side after good link up play by Keith Ryan and the hard running Max Hackett led to Kyle Shelly getting possession and turning to shoot for a point, his shot dipped just under the crossbar for a handy three-pointer in the 27th minute.
Tipp powered on for the remainder of the half with Eddie Daly, Keith Ryan and Christy English (free) landing points for a seven point advantage although it could have been more with eight first half wides.
Waterford's James Power landed two frees early in the second half to bring Waterford back within five and when goalkeeper McSweeney denied Devon Ryan, it looked as if the missed chances could come back to haunt Tipp.
Luck didn't appear to be on their side either on 40 minutes when Sean O'Connor's initial goal shot hit the post but it rebounded into the path of Devon Ryan who forced it over the line to establish an eight point lead. It could have been more within seconds as a short kickout went straight to Christy English but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced clear.
Max Hackett's well finished point in the 45th minute would be Tipp's last from play as they were sloppy in the final quarter, outscored 1-2 to 0-1 (English free) with Aaron Ryan getting scrappy second goal for the home side in the 58th minute, despite being down to fourteen men with Liam Fennell red carded for two bookings in the space of sixty seconds.
While the performance was patchy, it was enough to get past Waterford and gave glimpses of what Tipperary can do if they put it together as their attention turns to a semi-final against Clare in Thurles on Wednesday, 9th May.
Full report and reaction in next weeks Guardian
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Niall McSweeney (Waterford).
SCORERS - Waterford: James Power 1-4 (0-3 frees), Aaron Ryan 1-1, Liam Fennell 0-1.
Tipperary: Christy English 0-5 (4 frees), Kyle Shelly, Devon Ryan 1-0 each, Sean O'Connor 0-2 (1 free); Johnny Ryan, Keith Ryan, Max Hackett, Eddie Daly 0-1 each.
TEAMS – Waterford: Niall McSweeney (9); Sean Lennon (6), Tom Walsh (Capt 6), Sean Boyce (6); Liam Fennell (7), Colin Foley (6), Aidan Behan (7); Conor Browne (6), Larry Walsh (6); Henry Griffin (7), James Power (8), Sean Ronayne (6); Aaron Ryan (7), Micheal O Floinn (6), Niall O'Keeffe (6).
Subs: Ronan Elliffe (7) for Browne (37), Tomas Mooney (6) for Boyce (42), Padraig Fitzgerald (6) for O'Keeffe (57).
Tipperary: Callan Scully (Nenagh Éire Óg 6); Tommy McDonagh (Cahir 6), Shane Lowe (Moyne-Templetuohy 7), Christy McDonagh (Cahir 7); Mark O’Meara (Grangemockler-Ballyneale, Capt 7), Gavin Meagher (Inane Rovers 6), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers 7); Kevin Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris 7), Keith Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane 7); Max Hackett (Moycarkey-Borris 8), Devon Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams 7), Eddie Daly (Knockavilla Kickhams 7); Christy English (Ballyporeen 7), Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris 8), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 7).
Subs: Conor Power (Ballina 6) for Daly (45), Rhys Byron (Galtee Rovers 6) for Hayes (48), Jamie Holloway (Carrick Swan 6) for English (55), Dylan Farrelly (Clerihan NR) for D Ryan (58), Conor Whelan (Mullinahone NR) for J Ryan (58), Kieran Costello (Durlas Óg NR) for Hackett (60+1).
Referee: Alan Long (Cork).