Second half goals prove decisive for Tipperary minors

Tipperary manager James Woodlock made eight changes from the team that beat Limerick, but their strength in depth was apparent throughout. Pic: Inpho

Munster MHC: Waterford 1-17 (20) Tipperary 3-17 (26) 

Clinical finishing proved the difference for Tipperary as they saw off a spirited Waterford effort in the final round of this year’s Munster Minor Hurling Championship at Fraher Field.

A brace from Rían McGrath and another from Josh Moroney were decisive as the visitors claimed a fourth victory on the spin.

Tipperary manager James Woodlock made eight changes from the team that beat Limerick, but their strength in depth was apparent throughout.

Jack O’Sullivan fired Waterford into an early lead but that was quickly cancelled out by John O’Meara, before a golden goal chance was spurned by Rian McGrath.

Dylan Murphy and Ollie Roche (2) then exchanged frees as the Premier edged in front, before an excellent catch and strike from Donncha Flannery had it 0-3 apiece. 

A 65 from Murphy and a point from McGrath levelled matters for a fourth occasion, before Sean Burke and Dara Sullivan also got their names on the scoreboard.

The game burst into life on 19 minutes, as great work from Conor Kennedy saw him tee up McGrath and the Kiladangan forward sent a rocket to the top left corner past Mikey Ware. 

That was the start of an unanswered 1-4 from the visitors as two from the impressive Josh Moroney, alongside Éanna Tucker and John O’Meara efforts established a seven-point lead approaching the break.

Mikey Moloney temporarily stopped the rot before Colm Ryan broke out of defence and found the target, but Waterford found a goal of their own in first-half added time, Butlerstown forward Cian Delaney showing great control and composure to bury a half-chance to the far corner. Moroney’s third made it 1-11 to 1-6 in favour of Tipperary and finely poised at the interval.

Another free from Roche resumed the scoring for the Premier, before a fine score by Emmet Walsh for Waterford. John O’Meara’s strike was responded to by Jack O’Sullivan, Adam Cummins and a beauty from Delaney as the gap reduced to three.

Murphy and Moroney were accurate from frees, before three successive wides and a misplayed pass when in on goal threatened to derail Déise momentum. Roche and Murphy traded dead balls, before Delaney reduced arrears to two entering the final quarter.

A third goal looked increasingly crucial and so it proved on 46 minutes, O’Meara breaking free and squaring for McGrath to blast home his second green flag.

Two Murphy frees kept Waterford within a goal, before Moroney and Delaney kept their tallies growing. Ollie Roche from play kept the lead at four with as many minutes left.

A Murphy free had it back to three as three minutes added time were called, and as the Déise committed men forward - who better than man-of-the-match Moroney to break through and fire a decisive fourth goal, to maintain Tipperary’s 100% win record this season.

Scorers for Waterford: C Delaney (1-4); D Murphy (0-7); D Flannery, D Sullivan, M Moloney, E Walsh, J O’Sullivan and A Cummins (0-1 each). Scorers for Tipperary: R McGrath (2-2); J Moroney (1-4; 0-2f); O Roche (0-5; 0-4f); J O’Meara (0-3); S Burke, E Tucker and C Ryan (0-1 each). 

Waterford: M Ware (Geraldines); L Fitzgerald (Passage), D Murphy (St Mary’s East), D Sullivan (Abbeyside / Ballinacourty); J Walsh (Mount Sion), A Power (Ballygunner), E Walsh (Stradbally); S Coffey (Sliabh GCua / St Mary’s), A Cummins (Lismore); C Delaney (Butlerstown), J O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), M Moloney (Ballygunner); C Crowley (Ballygunner), D Murphy (Roanmore), D Flannery (Mount Sion).

Subs: J Mullally (De La Salle) for Coffey (HT); R Molumphy (Ballyduff Upper) for Moroney (48); F Geoghegan (St. Molleran’s) for O’Sullivan (54).

Tipperary: E Connolly (Carrick Swan); C O’Mahony (Thurles Sarsfields), C Ryan (Newport), C Collins (Galtee Rovers St Pecaun’s); C Gantley (Cappawhite), J Finn (Golden Kilfeacle), C Tobin (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone); B Roche (Kilsheelan Kilcash), E Tucker (Nenagh Éire Óg); C Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore), J O’Meara (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), J Moroney (Ballina); O Roche (Newport), R McGrath (Kiladangan), S Burke (JK Brackens).

Subs: KJ Dunne (Toomevara) for Kennedy (44); B Fuller (St. Mary’s) for B Roche (48); A Norton (Gortnahoe Glengoole) for Tucker (49); O Pearl (Lattin Cullen) for McGrath (54); E Condon (St. Mary’s) for Finn (57).

Referee: N Fahy (Cork).