Fitzgerald full of 'pride and joy' despite Déise defeat

Waterford will take the positives from Sunday's loss to Tipperary. 

Both managers mentioned joy upon the final whistle at Fraher Field.

Niall Fitzgerald professed not to be jumping up and down with it after a competent five-point victory. Meanwhile, Ephie Fitzgerald expressed considerable “pride and joy” at how Waterford acquitted themselves.

Over a challenging off-season, the Déise boss approached 168 players about joining his panel. During that process, they lacked sufficient numbers to fulfil challenge matches.

“I came in pretty late, but we had eight training at Christmas. Eight! We were to play MTU in a challenge match and we had to cancel because we just couldn't get numbers. We've come a long way from that,” said the Nemo Rangers clubman.

“I made 168 phone calls to guys to try and get fellas involved. Now, there are other factors as well. It's not just the fact that fellas won't play.

“Waterford is seen as a hurling county and everybody tends to want to be a Waterford hurler. I can't do anything about that. But there are players out there who would make a huge difference to our panel if they commit to us. That's something I’ll be working on going forward, hopefully.” Ultimately, six second-half points from Seán O’Connor were enough for Tipp to see off the hosts and secure a Munster semi-final berth against Cork.

Waterford are on a 13-game losing streak across the past 13 months. Fitzgerald doesn’t expect results to significantly change until they build panel strength and a bench that can compete physically.

It was therefore his side’s performance which gave Fitzgerald solace for the 160-mile round-trips to training every night. Aside from some of Tipp’s score-taking, he felt they matched the Premier in every other department.

Having been blown away on kick-outs in their 13-point league defeat, Fitzgerald felt they were “immense” and “absolutely dominated the breaks”. He was most pleased with how the players stuck with their structure and didn’t fall into the trap of going “gung ho”.

The results of their minor and U20 teams, who completed a double over Tipp last week, are encouraging for Waterford’s future progress, should they be kept on board.

“I'm around the game a long time now. When you lose a championship match, you're disappointed. But I have to say, I'm going home full of pride and full of joy,” said Fitzgerald.

“It's very difficult for us in Waterford football to keep things going, but the lads have been inspirational to me.

“People often ask me why I travel 160 miles a night for training. They're an absolute credit to be involved with.

“For what they've given me and what they've given Waterford football, I am absolutely thrilled and very, very proud to be their manager.” Both teams featured just three starters from Waterford's famous victory over Tipp in their last Dungarvan clash two years ago.

With a fuel protest closing the N25 bypass outside Fraher Field, 846 fans turned out on a day that mixed sunshine, wind, and rain.

When your home field is on the exposed Colligan Estuary, it helps to win the toss. Ephie Fitzgerald reckoned they did so for the first time all year. Choosing to play with the elements, it took them 23 minutes to get ahead against Tipp’s slow, controlled attacks.

Glen Power appeared to attempt a two-pointer, but it fell perfectly for midfielder Michael O’Brien to catch and fire low into the net for 1-1 to 0-2. Tipp soon levelled through Eoin Craddock and a Cian Smith free.

Referee Barry Tiernan made five overcarrying calls in the first half, one of which led to Stephen Curry’s lead score. They would pay for a couple of fluffed goal opportunities as two Smith frees, either side of half-time, brought Tipp level.

O’Connor’s first score of the day, a two-pointer, gave Tipp a 0-9 to 1-4 advantage. Alan Dunwoody brought it back to a one-point game, but Tipp eventually peeled away with six points without reply. O’Connor scored two each from play and frees and was denied a goal by Adam Crawford’s block.

“I'm not jumping up with joy at the performance. Far from it,” said Niall Fitzgerald. “We butchered a lot of chances, we did a lot of silly things, but we did enough and that's all that matters.” Scorers for Waterford: M O’Brien (1-0); S Curry (1 free), A Dunwoody (0-2 each); C Murray, A Murray, B Hynes (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: S O’Connor (0-6, 1tp, 2 frees); C Smith (0-4, 3 frees); J O’Neill, C King, E Craddock, M Freaney, K Butler (0-1 each).

WATERFORD: S Burns; C Ó Cuirrín, D Ó Cathasaigh, B Hynes; A Ryan, A Crawford, G Power; M O’Brien, M Curry; L Mulligan, C Murray, D Fitzgerald; D Ryan, S Curry, A Dunwoody.

Subs: D Walsh for A Ryan (50), A Murray for Fitzgerald (58), C Walsh for Dunwoody (66).

TIPPERARY: S Garland; M McFadden, E O’Connell, J O’Neill; J Morris, K Costello, C King; J Higgins, P Feehan; E Craddock, M Freaney, K Butler; C Smith, S O’Connor, D Hogan.

Subs: P Creedon for Freaney (56), M Stokes for Butler (56), M Corcoran for McFadden (56), E Moloney for King (66), M Russell for Smith (67).

Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin).