Callanan strikes and Tipp light up

Tipperary 2-13 Waterford 0-16

In a tight first-half Waterford’s hard-running and tough-tackling, wind-aided or not, made them look superior and they were worth far more than the slim 0-8 to 0-5 lead they carried into the break.

A powerful half-back/midfield axis paved the way for Déise dominance during this period with Jamie Nagle, Brick Walsh and Phillip Mahony, who marked his return from his year-long travels with two fine long-range points from play, well on top around the 40. And Kevin Moran and Shane O’Sullivan more than held their own against Brendan Maher and James Woodlock.