Frend ready for other foes

THIS man can stop whole attacks. George Frend isn't exactly a colossus, but the teacher from Toomevara has a huge heart - as Waterford discovered to their cost yesterday.

A win is a win and Frend, as much as any Tipperary man, was just glad to march away from the reconstructed Walsh. Park with a ticket to the next, round. "We were in a no win situation here but we knew exactly what was required," said Frend. "We just couldn't give them anything, they have some very good forwards. We had to close them down."

Frend's spirit was repeated in different sizes throughout the hardworking Tipperary defence. And that work rate paid dividends in the end, enough to finally bring a smile to Tipperary faces. "I knew Waterford would come back at us strongly towards the end, so it was great to hold on and win. That was all we wanted to do," he added.

Such a philosophy pervaded the Tipperary dressing room. The main thing was to ensure they would be facing Kerry in the next round, and that was achieved. Manager Fr Tom Fogarty, for one, was pleased with the outcome.

"We probably should have put them out of our reach at some stage in the second half, but it was not an easy game to win. We knew Waterford have been focusing on this game alone for four or five months and it went right down to the wire. A real case of nip and tuck, as I'd predicted it would be," said Fogarty.

"But nobody needs to tell me that we have to raise our game higher if we are going to win anything. I know that. We have to aim higher, to seek improvement. However, there were a lot of positive elements to this win.

"I thought the defence was brilliant, right through. And some of the younger lads really did well. I was delighted with the way we played, although I know we have to improve.

"More tests lie ahead of us, and I would love to have Aidan Ryan back for them. He is the engine of this team. I don't honestly know, though, if he will be back from injury. I hope he is," said Fogarty.

For Waterford, pride, wounded so badly in Pairc Ui Chaoimh 12 months ago, was restored. But manager Tony Mansfield is convinced even better performances lie in the heart of this team, seven of whom he guided to All Ireland under-21 medals four years ago.

"Some people in the County Board thought an outside coach was needed to bring Waterford hurling on, but I think we have proven that it can be done from within the county," said Mansfield.

"We came, here expecting to win; it didn't happen but at least the players showed the commitment and determination to wipe out last year's trouncing," said Mansfield. "I know Tipperary were glad to get out of here with a win.

"I don't want to say too much about the referee's decision which led to their goal, but I thought we should have had the free. But we needed a goal before Paul Flynn managed to score and we did have a few chances after half time but failed to take them, added Mansfield.