Browne returns, but Tipp pip Déise

Tony Browne appears to have ended any lingering doubts surrounding his intercounty future after appearing for Waterford as a second half substitute in a challenge against Tipperary last night.

Browne, who will be 40 in July, made his first appearance of 2013 for the Déise as neighbours Tipp scored a three-point win in a high-scoring encounter at Davin Park, Carrick-on-Suir.

Browne, however, will struggle to break into a strong-looking Waterford half-back line as Jamie Nagle, Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and captain Kevin Moran performed capably last evening.

In attack, Seamus Prendergast built on a solid League campaign with a haul of 1-3 against Eamon O’Shea’s Tipp.

And Prendergast’s second half goal put Waterford three points clear, 1-16 to 1-13, in a see-saw encounter.

But Tipperary were back level when sub Shane Bourke netted with 12 minutes left and the sides were level twice more before the finish.

Late points from Johnny Ryan, Noel McGrath and Brian O’Meara sealed victory for Tipp in a useful workout that served as part of the Maurice Davin commemoration events.

A bumper crowd, estimated in the region of 2,500, watched Waterford edge a point clear by half-time – 0-13 to 1-9.

Tipp netted through Pa Bourke in the 20th minute to move 1-6 to 0-7 in front but Michael Ryan’s Waterford finished the half strongly as Prendergast impressed close to goal.

Before throw-in, spectators observed a minute’s silence in memory of former GAA president Paddy Buggy, who died this week.

Scorers for Tipperary: P Bourke 1-3 (0-1 65), S Bourke 1-0, E Kelly and J Ryan 0-3 each, S McGrath, J O’Brien, B O’Meara, B Maher & S Callanan (1f), 0-2 each, N McGrath & C O’Brien 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: S Prendergast 1-3, P Mahony 0-5 (2f), M Shanahan 0-4 (3f), R Barry 0-4, D Fives 0-3, J Dillon & J Barron 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; J O’Keeffe, D Maher, M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, C O’Brien; S McGrath, J Woodlock; P Bourke, J O’Brien, J Ryan; B O’Meara, E Kelly, M Heffernan.

Subs: B Cummins for Gleeson, S Callanan for Kelly, B Maher for S McGrath, J Barry for O’Mahony, P Curran for D Maher, K Bergin for C O’Brien (all half-time), S Bourke for Heffernan (49), N McGrath for Woodlock (49).

WATERFORD: I O’Regan; N Connors, L Lawlor, S Fives; J Nagle, M Walsh, K Moran; S O’Sullivan, D Fives; M Shanahan, S Prendergast, R Barry; J Dillon, P Mahony, J Barron.

Subs: B Coughlan for Connors, S O’Keeffe for O’Regan (both half-time), E Barrett for D Fives (44), M O’Neill for Dillon (48), T Browne for Walsh (50), D Twomey for O’Sullivan (55), M Wyse for S Fives (55), K Fitzgerald for Shanahan (58).

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).