Tipp fall to Waterford in hurling season opener

GAA: Coop Superstores Munster Hurling League

Waterford 1-22

Tipperary 1-20

Report: Liam Hogan at Fraher Field

Photos: Bridget Delaney

IT’S hard to imagine how a two-point defeat seemed like a victory, but Tipperary manager Liam Cahill must have felt as much after he witnessed his team turn a nine-point deficit into a one-point lead before two jury time points secured victory for Waterford, after the team produced an entertaining contest at a frosty but sunny Fraher Field last Sunday afternoon.

In a game of two halves, Liam Cahill’s team, which had five players of championship experience such as Barry Hogan, Michael Breen, Alan Tynan, Conor Bowe and Sean Ryan, unable to keep up with an all action Waterford side that had nine seasoned campaigners, including Shaun O’Brien in goal plus Mark Fitzgerald and Kieran Bennett in defence plus Patrick Fitzgerald, Jack Prendergast and Michael Kiely in attack with Jack Prendergast’s goal in the 24th minute which paved the way for the homeside to take a 1-12 to 0-8 half time lead.

It was a difficult opening thirty-five minutes for Tipp, who kept in touch with a more business like Waterford side as scores were level for the fourth time at 0-7 each after twenty-two minutes. Both Andrew Ormond and Mikey O’Shea had scored a point each but it was Sean Ryan who led the way with five, including three from frees in that period. However, Tipp needed much more as Sean Hayes, Joe Fogarty and Cian O’Dwyer, despite making valiant attempts, were no way able to prise open the Waterford defence who had Kieran Bennett the master in his sweeper role ably assisted by Martin Power and PJ Fanning plus Tom Barron and Seamus Fitzgerald in midfield as John Campion and Alan Tynan struggled.

But for the prominence of Michael Breen and Conor Bowe, the Tipp defence finally gave way as they conceded 1-5 in the last ten minutes of the half with Padraig Fitzgerald the chief scorer. If the deficit was not bad enough, there was Robert Byrne’s dismissal in the 25th minute, which came prior to the Waterford goal which put them 1-8 to 0-7 in front.

With Barry Heffernan, Brian McGrath and Bryan O’Mara introduced at half time, one hoped for some improvement in the Tipp side but that improvement would have to wait a while as Waterford continued to profit as the lead increased to eight by the 42nd minute after Cillian Bonnar, son of (former Tipp star and manager Colm Bonnar) made it 1-14 to 0-9. Joe Fogarty replied for Tipp but Waterford looked as if they could score at will and Shane Walsh looked set to rattle the Tipp net but for a timely save by goalkeeper Barry Hogan. There was more as Padraig Prendergast, Waterford’s most influential player up to then, plus Tom Barron scored to move the homeside nine in front, 1-16 to 0-10 and as a result it looked game, set and match, we thought.

TIPP HIT BACK

Not so. Because the next twenty-five minutes was all Tipp. Playing only four up front, the fourteen men stormed into the game with Brian McGrath, Bryan O’Mara and newcomer Danny Slattery helping to shore up the backline. Alan Tynan came more into the game as substitutes Cathal Quinn and Sean Kenneally added value to the attack and as a result they outscored the Deise 1-10 to 0-3 with the goal coming from Sean Ryan scoring the goal after Mark Kehoe (just on as a sub) made the assist to trail 1-15 to 1-17 after fifty five minutes.

Sean Ryan’s coolness was vital as he scored 1-6 (0-5f) in that final rally while Alan Tynan and Kenneally also scored. Long range efforts, including Barry Hogan’s long range free that drifted wide, while Cian O’Dwyer was unlucky when his effort dropped short after he lost control of his hurl as he went for glory form half way before Cathal Quinn’s persistence helped put Tipp in front for the first time 1-20 to 1-19 after seventy minutes before injury time scores by substitutes Reuben Halloran and Seanie Callaghan helped Waterford over the line.

YELLOW CARDS

Perhaps there is a bit of bias involved, but in my opinion, yellow cards continue to be issued on an unfair basis by present day referees. Take last Sunday’s example before half time when Michael Kiely and Michael Breen were both yellow-carded. Kiely could have no complaints with a red, not to mind a yellow, but one wonders why Michael Been received a card. As happens in most games, the first yellow is often soft and then comes the second later in the game which results in dismissal. Had it happened to the Ballina man it would have been rough justice with Kiely still on the field. This yellow card saga has to be revisited.

It’s easy to talk about refereeing while sitting on the fence. Officiating as a referee is a difficult task any time any year. For Simon Stokes it was a first test of inter county and overall he did an okay job. His attempt to keep the play flowing worked most of the time. However, the Cork official, just like other referees, are under extreme pressure. To add to their troubles, they have the difficult decision whether to pull or not pull on the handpass.

Then there is the matter of the so- called handpass. Referees are simply going to have to get tougher on the issue. In the 64th minute, Tipp trailed 1-18 to 1-17 but were hurling with confidence. Sean Kenneally had won hard earned possession near half way and on route to goal, he was tackled before he was penalised for throwing the ball. No problem if he did actually throw the ball, but in observing the game I felt there were a few dubious throws allowed go free. Had Kennealy been allowed to continue, Tipp could have scored and brought scores level and such was their dominance that they might have won the game.

Consistency is required. Time for referees to get tough.

Player of the Match: Padraig Prendergast (Waterford).

Waterford: Shane O’Brien (7); Conor Prunty (7), Mark Fitzgerald (7), Brian Looby (6); P J Fanning (7) 0-1, Kieran Bennett (8), Martin Power (7); Tom Barron (7), Seamus Fitzgerald (7); Jack Prendergast (1-3, 7), Patrick Curran (Capt 0-2, 7), Padraig Fitzgerald (0-10, 6f) 8); Cillian Bonnar (0-1, 6), Sean Walsh (6), Michael Kiely (0-1, 7).

Subs: Seanie Callaghan (0-1, 7) for Bonnar (53); Willie Hahessy (6) for Looby (60); Reuben Halloran (0-1, 7) for Walsh (61).

Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan, 8, Capt); Danny Slattery (Clonoulty/Rossmore, 7), Michael Breen (Ballina 7), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs 7); Conor Whelan (Mullinahone 6), Robert Byrne (Portroe 6), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy 7); John Campion (Drom & Inch 7), Alan Tynan (Roscrea 0-2, 7); Cian O’Dwyer (Clonakenny 0-1, 7) 0-1, Joe Fogarty (Moneygall 0-1, 7), Sean Hayes (Kiladangan 6); Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens 0-1, 6), Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone 0-1, 6), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons, 1-12 (0-9f) 8).

Subs: Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og 6) for Campion (HT); Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill 7) for Whelan (HT); Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 7) for Hayes (HT inj); Brian McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 7) for O’Shea (HT); Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs, 0-1, 7) for Morgan (39 inj); Sean Kenneally (Moneygall 0-1, 7) for Ormond (49); Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7) for Fogarty (54); Billy Seymour (Kiladangan 7) for O’Dwyer (61).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Cork).