Déise out of luck as O’Brien fires Tipp

THE importance of Ronan O’Brien’s scrambled goal in the final minute of the opening half only assumed its real significance at the end of this game as Tipperary held on for the narrowest of victories over luckless Waterford in an exciting Munster IHC semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Another Cork/Tipp showdown then in the provincial decider, but Tipp will know that the Gods smiled radiantly on them in this semi final, in which Waterford had more than enough of the play and chances to have at least grabbed a draw.

Fitting though that O’Brien’s goal should be the all-important score because he was easily the most effective Tipperary forward on view, and without his flair for taking and making scores, it’s doubtful if they would have been celebrating at the hour’s end.