Tipp fall to Waterford in Munster League opener

Waterford 0-21

Tipperary 1-15

Tipperary fell to a three-point defeat to Waterford in the opening round of the Munster Hurling League in Mallow last night.

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Paddy Leavey (Waterford)

SCORERS - Waterford: Reuben Halloran 0-7 (6 frees, 1 65), Seán Walsh, Colin Dunford, Paudie Fitzgerald 0-2 each; Billy Nolan (free), Mark Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey, DJ Foran, Billy Power, Iarlaith Daly, Carthach Daly, Austin Gleeson 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-11 (0-6 frees, 0-1 65), Cian O’Dwyer 0-2, Alan Tynan, Conor Bowe 0-1 each.

A change of venue to Mallow, with Fraher Field waterlogged, spared new Tipperary manager Liam Cahill a return to action on Waterford soil as the Déise outscored Tipp by 0-7 to 0-4 following Cathal Barrett’s second half red card to claim the spoils.

Waterford were the better side in the opening half, effective in creating space as they raced into a five-point lead with Tipp wasteful into the strong wind.

Waterford would land eight of the first nine points, four from Reuben Halloran frees. Forde, having missed four frees wide or short, led the Tipperary revival, nailing four on the trot, two from play. Tipp eked out the goal chances, too. Paddy Creedon had an effort saved by Billy Nolan and Conor Bowe smothered after fielding a high ball on the edge of the square.

Waterford, from fewer chances, led 10-6 at the break. There was still four in it when sub Stephen Bennett was booked for some handbags with Barrett, raced in on goal. Pauric Campion fouled for a penalty. However, Rhys Shelly, on his debut between the sticks, made the save.

Halloran pointed the subsequent 65 but Forde came alive to blast 1-2 in four minutes. He caught a Johnny Ryan delivery and fended off the full-back to bury low to the net before converting two placed balls, the first after sub Jack Ryan forced Nolan into a save.

Tipp were reduced to fourteen men when Cathal Barrett received a second yellow for hauling down James Power. Forde and impressive sub Cian O’Dwyer twice more struck equalisers.

But Waterford struck for home with four points in a row heading into stoppage time; two from sub Paudie Fitzgerald, and one each from Mark Fitzgerald and Austin Gleeson. Tipp’s only reply was another Forde free as they’ll aim to rebound next Sunday when they take on Clare in Nenagh at 2.00pm.

TEAMS – Waterford: Billy Nolan (7); Shane McNulty (7), Mark Fitzgerald (7), Conor Ryan (6); Micheál Harney (7), Calum Lyons (8), Carthach Daly (7); Paddy Leavey (8), Reuben Halloran (7); Neil Montgomery (6), Colin Dunford (7), Seán Walsh (7); James Power (6), DJ Foran (6), Billy Power (6).

Subs: Iarlaith Daly (6) for McNulty (HT); Michael Kiely (6) for Foran (47); Stephen Bennett (7) for Walsh (48); Austin Gleeson (7) for B Power (66); Pádraig Fitzgerald (8) for Dunford (69); Aaron Ryan (NR) for C Daly (70+5)

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris 7); Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill 6), Michael Breen (Ballina 6), Gavin Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane 6); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh 7), Pauric Campion (Drom & Inch 7), Shane Neville (Cratloe, Clare, 6); Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens 6), Ger Browne (Cashel King Cormacs 6); Alan Tynan (Roscrea 7), Jason Forde (Silvermines 8), Joe Fogarty (Moneygall 5); Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy 7), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash 6), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields 6).

Subs: Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 6) for Fogarty (27); Cian O’Dwyer (Clonakenny 7) for Tynan (45); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers 7) for Browne (45); Jack Ryan (Clonoulty-Rossmore 6) for Creedon (45); Séamus Kennedy (St Mary’s 6) for Bowe (62); Gearóid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetouhy NR) for Kehoe (70).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Limerick)