February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Coming into this senior hurling tie, Waterford needed a point from their last two games. They failed in their quest here, but still face bottom club Kilkenny in their effort to reach the latter phase of this year’s competition.
It was never going to be easy coming up against a side as strong as Tipperary, who have dropped only one point in their championship race to date. That point was versus current champions Limerick a few months back when the kingpins of New York hurling played out a fantastic draw.
Waterford’s young side have battled against the odds this year, winning three of their four games played before this game. Nobody said it was going to be easy however, and facing a side such as Tipperary, which had already qualified, only meant that they had a monstrously difficult task ahead of them.
Waterford seemed up to the task, and early on hit points from the hurls of Jamesie Duggan, Mike Curtin and Ray Duggan. Tipp hit back, thanks to accurate points from Declan Ryan, Mike Kennedy and a goal from Keith Hennessy.
Throughout the first half, Waterford appeared as if they had a point to prove to all the doubters who suggested that a whitewashing was on the cards.
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Tipperary had beaten Westmeath a few weeks back by a phenomenal score, and up until half time, the game had been relatively even. So Waterford really had to concentrate on winning all through the game. If they let their guard down, Tipp would punish them severely.
Veteran Tipp midfielder John Madden hit a fine long distance point for his side, and was quickly followed on the scoresheet by Declan Ryan and Keith Hennessy with a goal.
Waterford remained undeterred and kept plugging away. Points from Dave Ryan and a fine goal from Jason Barry suggested that something of a shock was on the cards.
Entering the final 10 minutes or so, the score was level at 14 points.
The fact that Tipp had already qualified never really appeared obvious judging by their display on the field, as they continued to search for the win, with Dave Ryan hit a late point for his side.
Waterford could have grabbed their final four spot without having to worry about the game versus Kilkenny, but a late Owen Cummins point, and a goal from Madden gave Tipp the win, and left Waterford still with one point to claim before advancing to the next stage of the season.
Waterford: Kevin Martin, Conor Power, Tom Bermingham, Richie Purcell, Stuart Barry, David Ryan (0-3), Tom Maher, Jamesie Duggan (0-3), Ray Duggan (0-2), Jason Barry(1-1), Dan Sweeney, Mike Curtin (0-3), Dan Sweeney. Subs: Ollie O’Neill, Fintan O’Shea.
Tipperary: Ian Duggan, Donal Cummins, Jim Lyons, Alan Slattery, Owen Cummins (0-1), Shane Ryan, John Madden (1-1), Declan Burke, Declan Ryan (1-4), Mike Kennedy (0-3), Keith Hennessy (1-0), Kevin Kennedy, John Slattery. Subs: Davey Lonergan, David Connolly.