Tipp held by Waterford in Football League

For the third game in a row, Tipperary were caught late when in a winning position as Waterford came from two points down to level, thereby securing their first point of their National Football League Division 4 campaign on Sunday.

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 4 Round 5

Tipperary 0-16

Waterford 1-13

Report: Michael Dundon in Bansha

Photos: Bridget Delaney

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sean O’Connor (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Sean O’Connor 0-8 (5 frees); Paddy Creedon, Jack Kennedy (CC) 0-3 each; James Morris, Mark Stokes 0-1 each.

Waterford: Jason Curry 0-6 (4 frees); Alan Dunwoody 1-0; Caolan McGrath 0-2; Sean Whelan-Barrett, Robbie McGrath, William Beresford, Michael Mullaney, Stephen Curry 0-1 each.

Despite a below par first half showing, Tipperary had hauled themselves back to parity in the second half and into a two point winning position after 66 minutes, but with a second win in the campaign in their sights, they coughed up two frees to Waterford in the 68th & 70th minutes, both of which were converted to leave frustrated Tipp fans once more looking at what might have been.

Tipperary really have no cause for complaint, although a Sean O’Connor effort which looked a point was waved wide in the 54th minute, much to the dismay of the home contingent. Waterford were well worth their share of the spoils. Indeed, for a long time, they looked much more likely to go away with both points from a game Tipp were confidently tipped to emerge victorious.

Tipp had a dreadful first half, littered with errors and lacking in energy. Waterford called the shots and with Jason Curry a huge threat, kicking some delightful long-range points they hit a purple patch from the 16th to the 27th minute when they registered 1-5 without reply to go 1-8 to 0-4 clear. Their goal came after nineteen minutes from Alan Dunwoody who punished poor Tipp defending.

Indicative of management’s dismay at the performance was the introduction of four subs inside 32 minutes, only one of which was for an injury, Shane Neville replacing Cathal Deely. The moves were productive in that Tipp finished the half well, points from Jack Kennedy, Paddy Creedon and James Morris leaving them 0-7 to 1-8 adrift at the break and reasonably, if flatteringly placed, to mount a second half recovery.

A good restart was imperative if Tipp were to redeem the situation and they swung over three points per Sean O’Connor (2) and Mark Stokes without reply from Waterford in the first twelve minutes.

The ball was definitely in Tipp’s court now, but Waterford responded well with a brace of points from Caolan McGrath. Indicative of the Waterford mindset at that stage, they brought on Conor O Cuirrin who was listed to play at fullback but did not start, sacrificing forward Michael Mullaney in a bid to close off the Tipp path to goal.

Tipp kept going forward. Jack Kennedy pointed and Paddy Creedon shot a brace in two minutes to level at 0-13 to 1-10 after 58 minutes. The expectation was that Tipp would now drive on to secure full points, but Waterford hit back for a Jason Curry point to lead. Tipp then had three points without reply from Sean O’Connor (2) and Jack Kennedy to be 0-16 to 1-11 clear with four minutes to play.

A home win looked certain but in those closing minutes Tipp were twice penalised inside their own half and Jason Curry calmly slotted over the points to level and leave disgruntled Tipp supporters yet again lamenting points dropped from winning positions.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Jack Rodgers (Naas 6); Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle 7), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 7), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials 7); Stephen Grogan (Cahir 7), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule 7), Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields 5); Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials 6), Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 6); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 7), Peter McGarry (Clonmel Commercials 6); Jack Kennedy (JK Brackens 6), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 8).

Subs: Shane Neville (Cratloe 6) for Deely (20 inj); Rory O’Dowd (Clonmel Commercials 6) for Costello (23), Jack Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle 6) for J Kennedy (Brackens 32); Martin Kehoe (Mullinahone 7) for C Kennedy (34).

Waterford: Paudie Hunt (6); Conor McCarthy (6), Billy O’Keeffe (6), Ross Browne (6); Robbie McGrath (6), Dermot Ryan (7), Liam Fennell (7); Micheal Curry (6), William Beresford (7); Caolan McGrath (7), Sean Whelan-Barrett (6), Michael Mullaney (6); Stephen Curry (6), Alan Dunwoody (6), Jason Curry (8).

Subs: Conor O Cuirrin (6) for Mullaney (48), Joe Booth for C McGrath (68), Billy Hynes for R McGrath (69).

Referee: David Hickey (Carlow).