N.Y. GAA Tipp hurlers to face Limerick in senior final

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Tipperary 6-13, Waterford 1-11

The brave hopes and dreams of Waterford came crashing down around them as current champions Tipperary cruised to a crushing defeat in this senior hurling championship semi final at Gaelic Park on Sunday.

The end result of the game was rather predictable. It was expected that Tipperary would clinch the game, but not by such a high margin.

Waterford clearly took the game very seriously, bringing over sanctioned inter county stars Adrian Fitzpatrick and Noel Furlong. Tipp went into an early lead, taking full advantage of some nervous Waterford defending to record a Brian O’Meara goal and point.

Waterford managed to claw back and level the tie, but within minutes, Ray Duggan had fired another goal to give Tipperary a lead which they would never relinquish.

Fintan O’Shea managed to hit a couple of efforts over the bar, but even before the first half was over, it seemed as if Waterford’s attacking was all part of a damage limitation exercise.

Trailing by six points going into the break, the Decies never really looked strong enough.

The second half opened with Tipp storming forward at every opportunity. No fewer than four Tipp players — Paul Hogan, Liam Cahill, John Madden and Ray Duggan — managed to clinch goals.

At the end of the 70 minutes, it was Tipperary which held the 17-point advantage. Tipperary now face Limerick in the senior hurling final.

Tipperary: Ian Duggan, Tomas Keane, Jimmy Lyons, Alan Slattery (0-1), Owen Cummins, Declan O’Meara, John Madden (1-3), Mark Comerford, Ray Duggan (1-2), Mike Kennedy, Brian O’Meara (1-3), Liam Cahill (1-3), Paul Hogan (2-1). Subs: Tony O’Brien, Donal Cummins.

Waterford: Noel Kelly, Tom Bermingham, Tom Morrissey, Tomas Maher, Dave Ryan (0-4), Rory Hussey, Noel Furlong, Adrian Fitzpatrick (0-1), Kevin Martin, Fintan O’Shea (0-6), Sean Cotter, Donncha Crotty, Ken Geary (1-0). Subs: Mike Shea, Eugene Brophy, Brian Delaney.