Waterford produce fightback to torment Tipperary 

Tempers flare between both teams during the second half. Pic: James Lawlor

Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League: Tipperary 1-18 (21) Waterford 1-18 (21) 

Waterford denied Tipperary an opening day victory in the Munster Senior Hurling League as the Déise recovered from eight points down to snatch a late draw in an entertaining affair at Fethard Town Park.

Paddy Creedon’s first half goal looked to have the Premier in cruise control but the Déise produced a fine comeback from seven behind in the last ten minutes - a Charlie Treen goal late on ensuring Waterford left the happier of the two sides.

The game had been originally scheduled to take place at the Clonmel Sportsfield at 2pm, but due to a frozen pitch - fans instead had to flock to Fethard for a 3.15pm throw-in.

The All-Ireland champions had to recover from three points down early on as the Déise made a bright start - a long range free from Billy Nolan got them motoring before a fine effort from Joe Booth and another from Sean Walsh sent a signal of early intent.

Tipperary responded impressively as Darragh Stakelum opened his account before a belter from Brian McGrath and another Stakelum strike levelled the scores. 

Charlie Treen swivelled and scored to restore Waterford’s advantage but two quick fire frees from Paddy McCormack and McGrath put Liam Cahill’s men ahead on 12 minutes.

The Munster rivals were level again soon after as debutant James Power fired over before a McCormack free and another effort from Treen - but it was the game’s opening goal that allowed Tipperary to surge ahead.

Josh Keller found space to fire over before on 20 minutes, Paddy Creedon capitalised on a Jack Fagan slip and bore down on the Waterford goal, belting under Nolan to raise the first green flag. 

Two McCormack frees either side of a brilliant Joe Caesar strike suddenly had Tipp seven ahead approaching the break, before a Reuben Halloran free and an Alan Tynan effort left it 1-11 to 0-7 at the interval.

Substitute Jack Leamy moved the Premier eight in front on the resumption before two Halloran dead balls kept the Déise ticking over as they searched for openings. 

Leamy pushed the gap out to seven again on 40 minutes before Joe Booth’s second was instantly cancelled out as Robert Doyle got on the end of a superb move which emphasised why Liam McCarthy resides in Tipperary.

Waterford refused to lie down however, Conor Keane got in on the scoring act before another Halloran strike reduced arrears to five. Another Leamy dead ball helped Tipp breathe easier, and a Creedon point put them seven to the good down the home straight. 

They were also thankful for the interventions of their goalkeeper Barry Hogan as the Kiladangan man stood tall to deny Treen on 45 minutes.

Peter Queally’s men were determined to give their all though, another Halloran white flag and a superb Marc Ó Mathuna effort kept feint hopes alive, and Halloran kept punishing any instances of ill discipline - the De La Salle forward notched three successive frees to make it 1-17 to 0-17 with 59 minutes on the clock.

A Déise goal would’ve thrown the cat rightly amongst the pigeons and it arrived on the hour mark, a long low ball saw James Power race out in front of his man and he offloaded to the marauding Charlie Treen who clinically finished past Barry Hogan to level the game for the fifth time.

Despite being eight behind, Waterford now had ambitions of a morale boosting comeback win, another expertly taken Treen effort looked to have secured such - but there was still time for a Leamy free to ensure a share of the spoils in Fethard.

Scorers for Tipperary: P McCormack and J Leamy (0-4, 4f each); Paddy Creedon (1-1); Darragh Stakelum (0-2); Brian McGrath (0-2, 1f); R Doyle, J Caesar, J Keller, A Tynan and A Ormond (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: R Halloran (0-8, 6f); C Treen (1-3); J Booth (0-2); B Nolan (0-1, 1f); M O’Mathuna, J Power, C Keane, S Walsh (0-1 each).

Tipperary: Barry Hogan; C Martin, R Doyle, M Breen; J Caesar, B McGrath, B O’Mara; J Keller, A Tynan; O O’Donoghue, P McGarry, D Stakelum; A Ormond, P Creedon, P McCormack.

Subs: J Leamy for McCormack (HT); A Ryan for Breen (HT); J Fogarty for McGarry (HT); J Egan for A Tynan (35); W Connors for O’Mara (45); A Daly for D Stakelum (48). 

Waterford: B Nolan; D Lalor, J Fagan, C Keane; S Mackey, M Fitzgerald, B Lynch; S Fitzgerald, T O’Connell; J Booth, R Halloran, J Twomey; C Treen, S Walsh, J Power.

Subs: M O’Mathuna for Twomey (8, inj); D Lyons for O’Connell (35); P Curran for Walsh (50); J Lacey for S Mackey (60). 

Referee: C O’Regan (Cork)