Waterford enjoyed a breakthrough at U21 level for the first time in 22 years tonight. A Bord Gáis Energy Munster title has eluded them at this grade for some time but they ended that barren spell in dazzling fashion with a stunning scoring spree in the final quarter.
The win helps erase plenty bad memories at this level – not least last year’s semi-final loss with a star-studded side in Ennis – and was also significantly the first time that Waterford have ever won a Munster hurling crown in one of their own home stadiums.
Between senior, minor and U21, Waterford had only won 16 Munster hurling titles before tonight. To achieve the 17th on Deise soil explained how sweet the celebrations were for the natives in the attendance of 8,843 supporters.
Waterford joint captains Patrick Curran and Adam Farrell lift the trophy Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
2. Stephen Bennett proves a key influence
A fortnight ago, Stephen Bennett walked away with the man-of-the-match award after taking the Clare defence for 2-3 from play in Waterford’s semi-final success at Walsh Park. He may not have been supplied as regularly with clean deliveries tonight but the Ballysaggart youngster still left an indelible mark on the game.
It was Bennett’s opportunism that saw him net in the 27th minute for a critical goal that put Waterford in a strong position on the scoreboard. Then when Waterford needed a special moment to propel them away from Tipperary’s determined challenge, it was Bennett who provided it.
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With ten minutes to go his audacious and skilful flick released Peter Hogan, who finished clinically to the net, and Waterford were sailing into the winners enclosure.
Waterford players celebrate their victory Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
3. Tipperary’s Munster treble hopes thwarted
It’s been a brilliant July for Tipperary hurling. Their senior team unleashed a goal blitz to win the Munster final against Waterford. Their minor outfit swatted Limerick aside in their Munster decider. And their U21 team took down at the semi-final stage a Limerick starting fifteen peppered with senior players.
They faced an onerous task to try to complete a Munster hurling treble tonight, travelling into the heart of Waterford hurling and colliding with a Waterford side packed with talent. But Tipperary made a decent fist of it, recovering from a shaky start to be only two points down at the interval and growing in confidence to draw level as the match entered the final quarter.
Paul Maher, Ronan Maher, Stephen Quirke and Andrew Coffey all shone brightly yet ultimately Tipperary were swept away by that final quarter Waterford onslaught. There was no shame in defeat against a team that brimmed with that type of hurling class.
The Tipperary team before last night's clash Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
4. Austin Gleeson leaves his mark after the break
He may have been fortunate to have been treated leniently during one first-half incident by referee Johnny Murphy and operating as a spare man in the second-half did allow him an ocean of Walsh Park space. But there was no doubt how powerful and inspirational display Austin Gleeson produced in the second-half of tonight’s game.
On Sunday, Gleeson’s shooting was wayward in Thurles but he attuned his radar correctly in the second-half tonight. The Mount Sion club man set the tone with a booming point 20 seconds after the restart and it was fitting that his long-range free dropped over the bar to conclude the scoring narrative in injury-time.
Gleeson finished with 0-5 and offered a salient reminder of the collection of hurling skills he possesses.
5. Dual player Keane shifts focus back to football
Podge Collins dual exploits have been well documented for Clare but Josh Keane deserves praise for juggling both codes for Tipperary. He was integral to their exhilarating win in last Saturday’s senior football qualifier in Cavan but switched his attention to hurling tonight in Walsh Park.
The Golden-Kilfeacle man did not let his performance levels dip, weighing in with 0-6 as his freetaking was spot on and he nailed a fine point to bring Tipperary level in the 45th minute. Waterford’s control at the finish ensured his winning ways were ended but a Croke Park senior quarter-final date looms large as the next assignment in Keane’s hectic schedule.
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5 talking points after Waterford's home breakthrough and Tipp's treble hopes end
1. A home night to savour for Waterford hurling
Waterford enjoyed a breakthrough at U21 level for the first time in 22 years tonight. A Bord Gáis Energy Munster title has eluded them at this grade for some time but they ended that barren spell in dazzling fashion with a stunning scoring spree in the final quarter.
The win helps erase plenty bad memories at this level – not least last year’s semi-final loss with a star-studded side in Ennis – and was also significantly the first time that Waterford have ever won a Munster hurling crown in one of their own home stadiums.
Between senior, minor and U21, Waterford had only won 16 Munster hurling titles before tonight. To achieve the 17th on Deise soil explained how sweet the celebrations were for the natives in the attendance of 8,843 supporters.
2. Stephen Bennett proves a key influence
A fortnight ago, Stephen Bennett walked away with the man-of-the-match award after taking the Clare defence for 2-3 from play in Waterford’s semi-final success at Walsh Park. He may not have been supplied as regularly with clean deliveries tonight but the Ballysaggart youngster still left an indelible mark on the game.
It was Bennett’s opportunism that saw him net in the 27th minute for a critical goal that put Waterford in a strong position on the scoreboard. Then when Waterford needed a special moment to propel them away from Tipperary’s determined challenge, it was Bennett who provided it.
With ten minutes to go his audacious and skilful flick released Peter Hogan, who finished clinically to the net, and Waterford were sailing into the winners enclosure.
3. Tipperary’s Munster treble hopes thwarted
It’s been a brilliant July for Tipperary hurling. Their senior team unleashed a goal blitz to win the Munster final against Waterford. Their minor outfit swatted Limerick aside in their Munster decider. And their U21 team took down at the semi-final stage a Limerick starting fifteen peppered with senior players.
They faced an onerous task to try to complete a Munster hurling treble tonight, travelling into the heart of Waterford hurling and colliding with a Waterford side packed with talent. But Tipperary made a decent fist of it, recovering from a shaky start to be only two points down at the interval and growing in confidence to draw level as the match entered the final quarter.
Paul Maher, Ronan Maher, Stephen Quirke and Andrew Coffey all shone brightly yet ultimately Tipperary were swept away by that final quarter Waterford onslaught. There was no shame in defeat against a team that brimmed with that type of hurling class.
4. Austin Gleeson leaves his mark after the break
He may have been fortunate to have been treated leniently during one first-half incident by referee Johnny Murphy and operating as a spare man in the second-half did allow him an ocean of Walsh Park space. But there was no doubt how powerful and inspirational display Austin Gleeson produced in the second-half of tonight’s game.
On Sunday, Gleeson’s shooting was wayward in Thurles but he attuned his radar correctly in the second-half tonight. The Mount Sion club man set the tone with a booming point 20 seconds after the restart and it was fitting that his long-range free dropped over the bar to conclude the scoring narrative in injury-time.
Gleeson finished with 0-5 and offered a salient reminder of the collection of hurling skills he possesses.
5. Dual player Keane shifts focus back to football
Podge Collins dual exploits have been well documented for Clare but Josh Keane deserves praise for juggling both codes for Tipperary. He was integral to their exhilarating win in last Saturday’s senior football qualifier in Cavan but switched his attention to hurling tonight in Walsh Park.
The Golden-Kilfeacle man did not let his performance levels dip, weighing in with 0-6 as his freetaking was spot on and he nailed a fine point to bring Tipperary level in the 45th minute. Waterford’s control at the finish ensured his winning ways were ended but a Croke Park senior quarter-final date looms large as the next assignment in Keane’s hectic schedule.
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Antrim lift Ulster U21 crown and next up it’s Waterford in All-Ireland semi-final
Stephen Bennett’s overhead flick assist during Munster U21 final was absolutely superb
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BGE21 Munster Tipperary Waterford U21 Showdown