Déise boss heaps praise on charges

WATERFORD boss John Owens heaped praise on his understrength team after stunning Tipperary in this McGrath Cup quarter-final at Walsh Park yesterday.

The visitors started well with points from James Egan (free), Peter Acheson, and Barry Grogan. But Waterford settled and efforts from Kevin Power, Mark Ferncombe and Brian Wall (free) had them level by the 20th minute.

Scores from Egan and Seamus Grogan edged Tipperary ahead but Waterford finished the half in style and points from Power, Shane Briggs, and John Hurney had them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

After early Tipp pressure on the resumption, Waterford responded with a brace of superb points from full forward Patrick Hurney. Tipp had two late goal chance but a home defence, in which Shane Briggs was outstanding, comfortably held out.

Scorers for Waterford: K. Power (0-3); P. Hurney (0-3); E. Walsh, S. Briggs, J. Hurney, B. Wall (f), M. Ferncombe, (0-1) each.

Scorers for Tipperary: B. Grogan (0-2); J. Egan (0-2, 0-1 free); C. Sweeney (0-2, 0-1 free); B. Mulvihill (f), P. Acheson, S. Grogan (0-1) each.

WATERFORD: K. Cotter; K. Connery, T. O’Gorman, C. Phelan; E. Walsh, S. Briggs, J. Hurney; B. Phelan, T. Prendergast; W. Hennessy, K. Power, B. Wall; M. Ferncombe, P. Hurney, S. Fleming.

Subs: G. Kelly for Cotter (ht); J. Phelan for Walsh (45); J. Walsh for Connery (50); M. O’Gorman for Phelan (58); J.

Veale for Fleming (62).

TIPPERARY: P. Fitzgerald; N. Curran, P. Codd, A. Morrissey; C. McGrath, L. Egan, C. Dillon; G. Hannigan, B. Jones; P. Acheson, S. Grogan, B. Mulvihill; J. Egan, S. Hahessy, B. Grogan.

Subs: A. Matassa for Hahessy (45); C. Sweeney for J. Egan (58); D.Dwyer for S. Grogan (61).

Referee: C. Lane, Cork.