Player ratings: Bennett, Nolan and super subs inspire Waterford, McGrath and O'Donoghue lead Tipp

Waterford fought back from 11 points down at half-time to draw with Tipperary in the Munster SHC. The result keeps the championship hopes of both sides alive

Kevin Mahony scored a last-gasp equalising goal for Waterford against Tipperary in the Munster SHC. Pic: ©INPHO

Waterford 

Billy Nolan: Brilliant penalty save from Darragh McCarthy in the second half to keep the Déise’s momentum going. His quick run to the 45 and long ball in at the death was the catalyst for Kevin Mahony’s goal. Even added a free for good measure. 9

Ian Kenny: Like many of his Waterford teammates, struggled in the first half and improved in the second, but was pulled off after 47 minutes for Conor Keane. 6

Mark Fitzgerald: John McGrath proved to be a real handful at times, but Fitzgerald’s performance improved in the second half as McGrath’s influence waned. Was unfortunate to see a penalty awarded against him after he got tangled up with Tipp’s no 14 early in the second. 6

Aaron O'Neill: Worked hard around the edge of the square and tightened up big time in the second half when Waterford got a foothold. 7

Jack Fagan: Did well in the second half and clipped a point in the first, but Oisín O’Donoghue caused huge problems for Waterford’s half-back line in the opening period. 6 

Iarlaith Daly: Had plenty of possessions and showed good strength when breaking forward, did well to curb Jake Morris’s influence. Registered a couple of misses in that opening period when Waterford struggled to produce. 6

Paddy Leavey: Battled hard throughout, but was caught leaving too much space in the first half like many of the Waterford backs. Really shone through in the closing stages when the stakes rose. 7

Waterford's Calum Lyons in action against Tipperary's Seamus Kennedy. Pic: ©INPHO

Calum Lyons: Worked exceptionally hard in the first half and created chances for Waterford when few could. Finished with 0-3 and two wides, but was crucial in keeping them in the fight. Faded a little in the second and made way for Austin Gleeson. 8

Darragh Lyons: Struggled to make an impression in the first half and was replaced at the break by debutant Seán Mackey. 5

Jack Prendergast: Started the game slowly and had a few missed opportunities in the first half, but grew into the game. Was excellent in and out of possession in the second period and got a point for his efforts. 6

Jamie Barron: Worked tirelessly all evening. Took his goal brilliantly and hounded every Tipp player unfortunate enough to stray into his path. Superb performance. 9

Shane Bennett: Struggled to find any possession and was taken off after 31 minutes to be replaced by Kevin Mahony. 5

Dessie Hutchinson: Poor in the first half with a couple of sloppy wides, but the Ballygunner man turned it around with a big second-half display. Finished with 0-2 from play. 7

Seán Walsh: Looked a threat whenever he had possession and fired over a crucial point in added time when Waterford looked to be losing their way. Finished with 0-2. 7 

Stephen Bennett: Absolutely breathtaking display. Just two wides all day, Bennett was undeterred from frees in the first half and turned up the heat in the second. Every time he gathered possession he was a handful. 10

Subs:

Kevin Mahony: Outstanding second half. Unfazed by a couple of early wides and ended the game with 1-2, including the game equalising goal to salvage a draw for the Déise. 8

Late drama! The game that keeps on giving!!!

Kevin Mahony steals a goal at the death to secure a draw with Tipp! #WATVTIP pic.twitter.com/rtJZQP7Q5E

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) April 26, 2026

Seán Mackey: Excellent on his first Munster championship appearance. The 19-year-old worked tirelessly in the middle third and clipped a good point. 8

Conor Keane: Massively improved the Waterford full-back line with his introduction, won several rucks and kept the Déise from conceding a second goal. 7

Austin Gleeson: Got a big cheer on his return and rightly so. Though the Waterford stalwart couldn’t get on the scoresheet, he brought serious physicality and lifted everyone around him. 7

Tadhg de Búrca: Battled hard in the closing minutes when Peter Queally’s side needed another imposing figure. 6

Tipperary 

Rhys Shelly: Solid and composed as usual, with his puckouts on point too. 7

Michael Breen: Had a handle on Stephen Bennett early, but the game got much more ropey for the entire Tipp full-back line in the second period as Bennett floated around and took on the chance any time it arose. 6

Ronan Maher: Watertight in the first half and was certainly Tipp’s most imposing defender. Found it a little more challenging in the second but still did well, and clipped a couple of good scores. 7 

Robert Doyle: Strong opening 35 but less convincing in the second period when Waterford ran riot in the third quarter. 6

Eoghan Connolly: Strong in both halves at both ends. Defended very well in the first half and finished the game with three excellent points from play and a 65 to go with them. 8

Bryan O'Mara: Got to be the spare man early on, but Waterford adjusted and he had his hands full for the entire 70. Still, he rose to the challenge and delivered. 7

Seamus Kennedy: Was under pressure in the first half, Calum Lyons causing trouble any time he had possession. Was the first Tipperary player to make way when Craig Morgan was introduced. 6

Willie Connors: Was a physical presence and nuisance for Waterford in the first 35. Scored a point after being set up by midfield partner Tynan. Made way for Peter McGarry late on. 6

Alan Tynan: Strong opening act, but Tipp lost him for 10 minutes in the second half as the game was starting to get away from them. Returned in the 58th minute but wasn’t as impactful. 6

Oisín O'Donoghue: Outstanding first half, was without a doubt Tipperary’s most imposing forward. Constantly found space and was a headache for the Waterford defence. 9 

Tipperary's Oisin O'Donoghue shoots at goal. Pic: ©INPHO

Jake Morris: Two scores in the first half and one in the second, but struggled to get on the ball often enough to really trouble Waterford. 6

Sam O'Farrell: Started the game brightly and was a real handful. Scored one and assisted Morris and O’Donoghue for two more white flags, but his influence faded in the second half and he was replaced by Darragh Stakelum. 7

Andrew Ormond: Showed real class and control when dispatching his goal, and looked threatening in the first half, but failed to replicate that in the second. Was subbed off after 55 minutes. 7

John McGrath: Always a threat. Finished the game with four points from play and one wide. Was dangerous any time he had possession in the first but couldn’t make the same impact when Waterford tightened up. 8

Darragh McCarthy: Started the game brightly and was unerring as always from frees, but his influence faded. Didn’t manage a score in the second half and was replaced after 59 minutes. 6

Subs:

Craig Morgan: Worked hard on his introduction and was key to settling Tipp late on when they retook the lead. 6

Noel McGrath: Replaced Tynan for 10 minutes while he received treatment in the second half. 5

Darragh Stakelum: Came on with 20 minutes to go and fought hard, chipping in with a decent score to kickstart the Tipp swing. 7 

Stefan Tobin: Two nice points after coming on in the 55th minute. Brought the forward energy Tipperary had missed for much of the second period. 7

Jason Forde: Introduced in the 59th minute and put himself in some decent positions. Scored one and missed one. 7

Peter McGarry: Brought on in the 66th minute, and didn’t have enough time to meaningfully impact the game. 5