Waterford 2-9
Tipperary 1-7

by Michael Heverin

Two goals from the outstanding Lauren McGregor in the first four minutes set Waterford on their way to victory over Tipperary in the TG4 Munster Senior Championship at Fethard Town Park on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors couldn’t have asked for a better start and with Katie Murray adding a point between the goals, they built up an early lead that they never surrendered.

A battling performance from Tipperary brought them back in contention and they got to within three points of Waterford, 2-7 to 1-7, with seven minutes left on the clock.

However, Waterford finished stronger, with late points from Katie Murray and a fisted effort from Kellyann Hogan pushing them over the line.

Hogan was a constant threat at the heart of the attack, with two points from play and three from frees.

The concession of 2-1 so early in the contest was a huge blow to Tipperary’s hopes but they will take some satisfaction in that they outscored their Division 1 opponents by 1-7 to 0-8 over the remaining 56 minutes

There was a minute's silence before the game, in memory of former Moyle Rovers player, Bronagh English, who was tragically killed in an accident during the week.

After the concession of the early 2-1, Tipperary were struggling to get the ball out of their own half, playing into the stiff breeze. They had their chances but unfortunately were off target from play and placed balls. 

Tipperary had to wait until the 21st minute for their first score, a fine point from Aisling Moloney, which was followed soon after with an Aoibhe O'Shea point following great work in the build-up from Kirsty Crotty-Ryan and Moloney.

Waterford had their first point in over 24 minutes with a fine point from Kelly-Anne Hogan. Clare Walsh made it 2-3 to 0-2 in the 29th minute.

However, one of the best moves of the game saw Tipperary get through for a stunning goal, Moloney feeding Maria Curley, who finished from close range. The final action of the half was a point from Waterford's Brid McMaugh to leave the halftime score 2-4 to 1-2.

It was a more even contest in the second half. Aided by the stiff breeze, and with some outstanding play from Moloney, Ava Ryan and Maria Curley, Tipperary gave the home support plenty to cheer. With Waterford down to fourteen players following a yellow card for Emma Murray, Moloney pointed three frees, with Kirsty Crotty Ryan hitting a monster score.

But Kellyann Hogan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Waterford as they just managed to stay in front for a hard-earned win.

Scorers – Waterford: L McGregor 2-0, K Hogan 0-5 (3f), K Murray 0-2, B McMaugh, C Walsh 0-1 each

Tipperary: A Moloney 0-5 (3f), M Curley 1-0, K Crotty Ryan, A O’Shea 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: G Corcoran; A Murray, R Casey, C Murray; K McGrath, H Power, Á O’Neill; E Murray, E Power; B McMaugh, K Hogan, L Ni Harta; K Murray, C Walsh, L McGregor. Subs: C Fennell for Walsh (51), A Brazil for Ni Harta (52), A Power for O’Neill (54).

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; N Martin, L Morrissey, E Cronin; K Cashman; M Curley, B Condon; A.R. Kennedy, C Kennedy; H Spillane, A Ryan, A O’Shea; C Condon, K Crotty Ryan, A Moloney. Subs: S English for Cashman (ht), A Fennessy for C Condon (ht), A McGuigan for Spillane (42), S O’Carroll for B Condon (50).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).

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