Good afternoon everybody, you’re very welcome along to our minute-by-minute coverage of today’s Munster Hurling Championship second round clash between Tipperary and Waterford at Semple Stadium.
The Premier County set out their stall in impressive fashion a week ago, bucking the trend of Munster sides enjoying consistent form on home turf by departing Paric Uí Chaoimh with an impressive 1-24 to 2-28 away win against Cork.
That performance on Leeside has whetted supporters’ appetites that this could be the first year since 2016 that Tipp go all the way and lift Liam MacCarthy at the end of the summer.
There’s a long way to go yet but another win today against Waterford would do wonders for Tipperary’s confidence as they hope to close in on a first Munster final spot in three years, when they went all the way against the Déise back in 2016.
Waterford’s Munster hopes are seriously on the line today. Pauric Fanning’s men suffered a disappointing, narrow 0-22 to 1-20 defeat at home to Clare a week ago at Walsh Park, meaning they face an uphill battle approaching round two today.
Throw-in at Semple Stadium is coming up in an hour’s time at 2.00pm, with today’s game live on RTÉ 2 if you happen to be near a TV.
Here are today’s teams:
Tipperary
1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross Ballycahill)
3. James Barry (Upperchurch Drombane)
4. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfield)
5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
6. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfield)
7. Alan Flynn (Kildangan)
8. Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
9. Michael Breen (Ballina)
10. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha)
12. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane McDonaghs)
13. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
14. Seamus Callanan (Drom Inch) (C)
15. John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
Waterford
1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2. Calum Lyons (Ballyduff Lower)
3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside)
4. Noel Connors (Passage)
5. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)
6. Tadhg De Burca (Clashmore)
7. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
8. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)
9. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater)
10. Thomas Ryan (Tullow)
11. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
12. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
13. Jack Predndergast (Lismore)
14. Patrick Curran (Dungarvan)
15. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
Derek McGrath and Michael Ryan discuss the controversial 2018 draw between @tipperarygaa and @waterfordgaa, that 'Ghost Goal' and today's crucial rematch at Semple Stadium. Watch live on @rte2 from 1pm #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/Nn59xs89cK
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019
Just about three-quarters of an hour to go before throw-in at Semple Stadium. How do you see this afternoon’s game unfolding? Let us know below.
Poll Results:
Home advantage has been a big talking point in the Munster Championship over the last couple of seasons.
Ahead of this afternoon’s clash, The42′s Fintan O’Toole has been addressing the subject after last weekend’s wins on the road for both Tipp and Clare away from home.
“Amidst the and chaos of last summer’s Munster hurling championship, one line rang true,” he writes. “Home advantage counted. Two games into 2019 and that 2018 pattern has been ripped up.
“The upshot of the early results is that it makes the challenge facing Cork and Waterford today more daunting as they take on buoyant forces in Limerick and Tipperary.
“Defeat for either will scupper their hopes of a Munster final place but will not necessarily torpedo their chances of finishing third in a ferociously competitive province.”
You can read Fintan’s preview of today’s Munster action here.
Ahead of today’s game, The42′s Kevin O’Brien has been taking a closer look at how Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy has gotten the best out of mercurial forward John O’Dwyer, especially after last weekend’s impressive defeat of Cork.
“The quality of the front six was epitomised by the reinvention of John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer as a deep-lying centre-forward,” he writes. “He shot 0-7 from ten attempts and directly assisted 1-2, including a wonderfully precise pass for John McGrath’s green flag in the second-half.
“Tipperary’s devastating attack hit 2-24 from open play, led by a leaner looking O’Dwyer and the return to form of McGrath and Seamus Callanan.
“O’Dwyer started in the full-forward line before Callanan was eventually posted on the edge of the square and the former was repositioned to 11, where he was stationed for the entire second period.”
You can read Kevin’s piece in full here.
Barry Kelly joined us in studio to debate how refereeing in hurling brings challenges that are hard to meet. https://t.co/4RBZVjSHI3
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019
Just a few minutes to go as the players make their way out onto the pitch.
There’s one late change for Tipperary by Liam Sheedy ahead of throw-in, as Dan McCormack replaces Niall O’Meara in the half forward line.
Round 2...Dan McCormack in for Niall O'Meara for Tipp. Waterford as selected and haven't won against Tipp since 2008 All Ireland semi final #GAA @IrishSunSport pic.twitter.com/IINwJSN9tc
— Jason Byrne (@moseyb86) May 19, 2019
We’re underway at Semple Stadium for the first half!
Tipperary 0-1 Waterford 0-0
Jason Forde with a score straight away for Tipperary, breaking free from the throw-in to clip off the bar with just 20 seconds on the clock.
Tipperary 0-2 Waterford 0-1
Pauric Mahony responds down the other end with a free from close range, but John O’Dwyer with an immediate response of his own to reinstate Tipp’s lead. Two points from three attacks for the hosts already.
Tipperary 0-4 Waterford 0-1
Michael Breen and John O’Dwyer tag on two more for Tipperary and it’s a three point advantage already. Bubbles is enjoying an electric start.
Tipperary 0-4 Waterford 0-2
Tommy Ryan has moved into right corner forward and he slots a second score on for the visitors to try and stem the tide.
Tipperary 0-5 Waterford 0-2
Michael Breen with a magnificent strike from distance. Tipp really seem up for this, full of aggression and moving into space swifty.
Tipperary 0-5 Waterford 0-3
Stephen Bennett responds brilliantly. Tipp very loose at the back, very standoffish and Bennett takes advantage to slot over and reduce the deficit from distance. Great score.
Tipperary 0-6 Waterford 0-3
John McGrath punishes Waterford down the other end to relieve this passage of Waterford pressure with a score. Really end-to-end right from the get-go with nine scores in as many minutes.
Tipperary 0-7 Waterford 0-3
Jason Forde with a mighty 65 which flies between the posts and extends Tipp’s lead to four points as we pass the ten minute mark.
Tipperary 0-7 Waterford 0-4
Jamie Barron tacks another on another as Waterford begin to get a bit of a grip on this game now. Tipp flew out of the blocks early doors and but for a number of sloppy wides, the Déise could easily be level.
Tipperary 0-8 Waterford 0-4
Thomas Ryan chips a fantastic point over to extend Tipp’s lead to four points. Six out of eight scores from open play for the hosts so far. Very clinical.
Tipperary 0-9 Waterford 0-4
Oh, what a score! Noel Connors does his best Jason Forde impression with an absolutely sublime sideline cut from distance along the lefthand side. Incredible skill on the deck from Connors.
Tipperary 0-10 Waterford 0-5
Tipperary into double digits now as Noel McGrath points after Paudie Maher did really well to win a high ball. Tommy Ryan with an immediate response down the other end for Waterford to keep his side within touching distance.
Tipperary 0-10 Waterford 0-6
Pauric Mahony with a peach of a score, and now Waterford have back-to-back scores. Brilliant build-up play from one end of the pitch down to the other before Mahony delivered the killer blow from close range.
Tipperary 0-11 Waterford 0-6
Lovely, lovely score from John McGrath, his second of the game. He takes the ball well into him before spinning his way around Noel Connors with a clever twist inside. A precise finish to match from McGrath and there’s five points between the sides now.
Tipperary 0-12 Waterford 0-6
Jason Forde pounces on a poor puck-out, beating his man to the punch before slotting over the bar with a fine strike. Clinical finishing. Six points in it now.
Tipperary 0-12 Waterford 0-6
A brilliant, brilliant block from Jack Prendergast on Michael Breen sends the ball out for a sideline. Waterford working like trojans out there at the moment, vying to make it into half-time within touching distance.
Tipperary 0-13 Waterford 0-6
Michael Breen gathers possession up off the deck with a swift lift of the hurl. One snappy piece of movement to collect the ball amid a gang of bodies, before a second flick sees him knock the ball over the bar with his a short grip.
Tipperary 0-14 Waterford 0-6
Conor Gleeson is shown a second yellow card for a cynical tackle on Bonner Maher close to goal. Jason Forde knocks over the resulting free, opting against going for goal, and now Tipp lead by eight points. A massive task ahead for Waterford now a man down.
Tipperary 0-15 Waterford 0-7
An important point for Waterford as Tadhg De Burca stems the tide with a pinpoint score from close range. But Tipp respond down the other end with John McGrath on target again.
Tipperary 0-16 Waterford 0-8
Bubbles O’Dwyer with another fine score. Noel McGrath drops deep into the halfback line and picks out O’Dwyer along the lefthand touchline. He points, but Austin Gleeson provides a score of his own immediately down the other end. Waterford clinging on.
Tipperary 0-16 Waterford 0-9
A dramatic end to the half as Waterford come within inches of snatching a goal. Pauric Mahony had tagged on a point to cut the deficit to seven points, before Patrick Curran raced clean through on goal. He took aim for the bottom corner, but his low strike could only hit the post before coming back out.
Tipperary 0-16 Waterford 0-10
It turns out Mahony was actually fouled in the build-up to his strike hitting the post. A free to Waterford it is, and the half forward pucks over the bar from close range to cut the deficit to six points before the break.
HALF-TIME: TIPPERARY 0-16 WATERFORD 0-10
A manic end to an entertaining opening 35 minutes at Semple Stadium. Tipperary have been immense in attack, with Jason Forde, John O’Dwyer and Michael Breen all in fantastic form.
Waterford really struggled inside the opening exchanges, but important scores from Patrick Curran, Stephen Bennett, Pauric Mahony and Thomas Ryan has kept the Déise within touching distance.
Conor Gleeson’s sending off for a rugby-style tackle close to goal saw Waterford reduced to 14 men. But a more encouraging end to the half will give the visitors some semblance of hope that they can maybe, potentially claw this back.
Six points the difference at the break, more action to come very shortly!
The panel have no doubt over the second yellow card but the first one remains somewhat of a mystery. #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/AYnt7B1N7L
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019
Tipperary 0-17 Waterford 0-10
Ronan Maher with a score inside 30 seconds of the second half with a pinpoint strike which sails between the posts to extend Tipp’s lead to seven points. There was just one switch during the break, with Maurice Shanahan replacing Barry Heffernan for the hosts.
Tipperary 0-17 Waterford 0-11
Pauric Mahony slots over a free from distance to get Waterford up and running in the second half four minutes in. Six points the difference now.
Tipperary 0-18 Waterford 0-11
Bubbles O’Dwyer picks up where he left off in the first half with a fine score. It’s his fourth point of the game, all from play so far. Very, very clinical from the Killenaule man.
Tipperary 0-18 Waterford 0-13
Austin Gleeson takes advantage with a fine score as Tipperary lose concentration at the back. He races through on goal and fires over with power and precision. Waterford just won’t give up here, despite being a man down.
Tipperary 0-18 Waterford 0-14
Tommy Ryan with another score for Waterford and could we be witnessing an incredible comeback here? Waterford have enjoyed four of the last five points since the interval, cutting the deficit to just four points. An incredible momentum shift.
Tipperary 0-19 Waterford 0-15
Jason Forde with a mighty free to peg Waterford back. However, the visitors respond brilliantly down the other end, Pauric Mahony latching onto a pinpoint Stephen O’Keefe puckout to stick the ball over the bar. Still four points in it.
Tipperary 0-20 Waterford 0-15
This is frantic stuff out there. John McGrath keeps Waterford at arm’s length with an important score for Tipp from inside the D, twisting with his back to goal before sending the ball between the posts. A five point gap now.
Tipperary 0-20 Waterford 0-15
A second substitution for Tipp as another one of last year’s impressive U21 side Robert Byrne is sent on to replace Dan McCormack for the final 20 minutes or so.
Tipperary 0-20 Waterford 0-16
Mahony whacks another free over the bar to cut the deficit to just four points again. The visiting Waterford supporters are in fine voice now. They sense an upset could be on the cards here.
Tipperary 0-20 Waterford 0-17
Pauric Mahony with a second successive free, this time directly in front of goal. There’s only a goal between the sides now, an incredible turnaround considering Tipp were eight points clear at one stage in the first half.
Tipperary 0-21 Waterford 0-17
Ideal response down the other end from Tipp after those back-to-back frees from Mahony. Noel McGrath finds time and space down the lefthand side and picks his spot over the bar.
Tipperary 1-21 Waterford 0-17
What a hit! Tipperary calm things down with a goal which will act as a serious sucker punch for Waterford. It’s an electric counter breaking from midfield, Seamus Callaghan finds Bubbles, Bubbles picks out Jason Forde out wide inside the box and the Silvermines man provides a precise low finish underneath Stephen O’Keefe.
Jason Forde finds the net for Tipperary after Waterford had a good spell here in the second half.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019
More on @rte2 and highlights on @TheSundayGame at 9:30pm pic.twitter.com/qKIHaxziVF
Tipperary 1-22 Waterford 0-17
Tipperary are really reeling their opponents in now. Barry Heffernan with an almighty score from near the halfway line to extend his side’s lead to eight points. Considerable distance now with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Tipperary 1-23 Waterford 0-17
Great hands from Jason Forde and it’s another point for him. A clean catch, swift turn and perfect finish which sails between the posts.
Tipperary 1-24 Waterford 0-17
Another score for Tipp and this seems inevitable now. Michael Breen races through midfield, oceans of green space right in front of him. He pauses a moment to look up and takes his point well.
Tipperary 1-24 Waterford 0-17
It’s now nine minutes since Waterford have created a score. Pauric Fanning’s men really put it up to Tipp right after the interval, but with a man down away from home this game has just slipped away. It looks set to be a second successive defeat for the Déise.
Tipperary 1-25 Waterford 0-17
It’s turning into shooting practice for the hosts now, as Breen tacks on another point to extend Tipp’s lead to 11 points with just a handful of minutes remaining. It’s now been 1-5 without reply.
Tipperary 1-26 Waterford 0-17
John McGrath twists and turns his man, before pointing from near the halfway line again. It’s his fifth score of the game and it seems like just about everyone is queuing up for a shot at goal now.
Tipperary 1-27 Waterford 0-17
Jason Forde strikes from distance and it sails over. This has been a demoralising last period for Waterford, who have struggled with 14 men, feeling the full effect of being a man down for the entirety of the second half.
Tipperary 1-28 Waterford 0-18
There’s finally a response from Waterford with their first score since the 52nd minute. Jake Morris responds down the other end with a point of his own off the bench.
Tipperary 1-29 Waterford 0-18
Michael Breen completes his exhibition of long-range shooting this afternoon with another pinpoint strike from distance. Incredible accuracy time after time.
Tipperary 2-30 Waterford 0-18
A late massacre of scores at Semple Stadium here. Seamus Callanan’s low strike is diverted into the back of his own net by defender Conor Prunty attempting to clear it off the line. Jason Forde adds another point a few moments later.
Seamus Callanan puts the icing on the cake for Tipperary with their second goal of the game.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 19, 2019
Watch the highlights on The Sunday Game tonight #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/BrDFdRvP8X
FULL-TIME: TIPPERARY 2-30 WATERFORD 0-18
It’s all over as Tipperary see out the game in buoyant style. It’s back-to-back wins for Liam Sheedy’s men, who are eyeing up a first Munster title since 2016 and cementing their name as serious All-Ireland contenders this year.
Waterford always kept themselves within touching distance, but the sending off of Conor Gleeson was always going to be a hammer-blow before half-time. The Déise made a game of it after the break, coming within three points at one stage.
However Jason Forde’s fine goal 20 minutes from time really swung the game in his side’s favour, ending any scant possibility of a comeback from Pauric Fanning’s men. Thanks a million for joining us this afternoon — you can read our full match report from Semple Stadium here. Cya soon!
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Great stuff. Doing us proud. Mention for his caddy Simon as well.
A very consistent performer in recent times. Keep her lit shaymie boy.