Waterford 2-13

Tipperary 3-9

Tomás McCarthy at Gaelic Grounds

THE WATERFORD MINORS recovered from 12 points down in an incredible second-half comeback to claim their first win of the Munster championship.

Michael Kiely pounced for two injury-time goals before Gavin Fives powered forward from centre back to strike the winner. Kiely shot 2-5 in total to leave Tommy Dunne’s Tipp shell-shocked at the full-time whistle.

James Devaney punished Waterford’s indiscipline during the first quarter. Four points (three dead balls) from the Borris-Ileigh sharp shooter gave them an 0-5 to 0-2 advantage. Ciaran Keating and Paddy Leavy raised white flags for the Déise.

On 16 minutes, a Sean Hayes blast from a tight angle crept in at Dean Beecher’s near post, leaving it 1-5 to 0-2.

Devaney sent over his fifth in the 19th minute. Caolan MacCraith flashed over a marvellous sideline in injury time to leave Waterford six adrift at the break, 1-6 to 0-3.

Hayes supplied Devon Ryan for Tipp’s second major three minutes into the second period. Aaron Browne pulled off a super save from MacCraith at the other end.

Hayes found the far corner of the net on 41 minutes — his fifth goal of the provincial campaign — to put 12 points between the teams, 3-8 to 0-5, but the Premier only added one more score through Devaney.

Gary Morahan rung the changes and his charges rallied with points via MacCraith, Keating, David Byrne and Christopher Kavanagh.

They were still seven adrift entering stoppage time when two close range finishes from Kiely in the space of a minute electrified the Waterford faithful. Kiely levelled from a free before Fives soloed through in Ciaran Carey fashion to complete a sensational fightback and blow the Munster championship wide open.

Scorers for Waterford: Michael Kiely 2-5 (2fs, 2 65s), Caolan MacCraith (1 s-l), Ciaran Keating 0-2 each, Paddy Leavy (f), David Byrne, Christopher Kavanagh, Gavin Fives 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: James Devaney 0-7 (6fs), Sean Hayes 2-0, Devon Ryan 1-0, Kian O’Kelly 0-2.

Waterford

1. Dean Beecher (Tallow)

2. Rory Furlong (Roanmore)
6. Cian Wadding (Roanmore)
4. Jack Ó Floinn (An Rinn)

5. Sam Fitzgerald (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
2. Gavin Fives (Cappoquin)
8. Ryan Tierney (Ferrybank)

7. Michael Kiely (Abbeyside)
14. Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner)

10. Ciaran Keating (Ardmore)
17. Oisin O Ceallaigh (An Rinn)
20. Tristan Loftus (Dungarvan)

13. Caolan MacCraith (An Rinn)
11. Paddy Leevy (Ballygunner)
15. James Power (Clonea)

Subs:

23. Sean Henley (Tallow) for Fitzgerald (H-T)
9. Aidan Organ (Brickey Rangers) for Loftus (38)
22. Christopher Kavanagh (Ballygunner) for Leavy (45)
18. Gavin Corbett (Ballygunner) for Keating (48)
19. David Byrne (Erins Own) for Mahony (48)

Tipperary

1. Aaron Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

2. Conor O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs)
3. Conor Whelan (Mullinahone)
4. Kevin Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris)

5. Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers)
6. Fintan Purcell (Drom-Inch)
7. Seán Phelan (Nenagh Éire Óg)

8. Max Hackett (Moycarkey-Borris)
9. John Campion (Drom-Inch)

10. Seán Hayes (Kiladangan)
11. Jack Morrissey (Moycarkey-Borris)
12. Kian O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

13. Kevin Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
14. Devon Ryan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)
15. James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh)

Subs:

19. Cian O’Farrell (Nenagh Eire Og) for Morrissey (H-T)
18. Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone) for Maher (44)
23. Oisin Larkin (Borrisokane) for Hackett (55)
20. Ryan Renehan (Cappawhite) for Hayes (58)

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)

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