Waterford end 22 years of Under-21 hurling hurt

Waterford 2-19 Tipperary 0-15

A stunning second half blitz saw Waterford land a first Munster Under-21 title since 1994, as they swept aside Tipperary before an 8,843-strong crowd at Walsh Park.

“Boys became men tonight,” according to man of the match Austin Gleeson, whose colossal second half display proved instrumental in tilting the destination of the trophy in Waterford’s favour.

Tagging on 1-5 between the 50th and 57th minutes, the hosts pulled clear of Tipperary, who were well in the contest until Peter Hogan’s stunningly executed goal tilted this final in Waterford’s favour.

Inspired by a second half display from Austin Gleeson that may could be used as the GAA’s definition for talismanic, Sean Power’s team secured only a fourth provincial title at this grade, Waterford led ensuring an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Antrim.

And on the basis of this display, coupled with the routing of Clare in the Munster semi-final, only the bravest soul would bet against Waterford’s progression to a Croke Park decider.

At the break, Waterford led by 1-6 to 0-7 after a physical half hour of hurling in which a fortuitously conceived goal edged the pre-match favourites ahead. After the positioning of Patrick Curran’s 27th minute free had been queried by Tipperary manager William Maher, Curran scuffed his strike, which danced into the path of Stephen Bennett who lashed home from point-blank range.

Waterford had begun much the brighter, leading by four unanswered points after 11 minutes, but Tipperary eventually settled, inspired by Andrew Coffey and parity had been restored just beyond the first quarter. A Josh Keane free sent Tipp ahead by the 21st minute, before another Curran free, followed by Bennett’s goal, edged Waterford back in front.

After the interval, Gleeson seized the match by the scruff of the neck, appropriately opening and ending the scoring, as the Deise won the half by double scores. A punch-drunk Tipp couldn’t muster a reply after Hogan’s superb 50th minute goal, instigated by a Gleeson pass, but catalysed by a stunning overhead flick by Stephen Bennett.

This success means this same Waterford side which took the All-Ireland minor crown in 2013 had now added the Munster Under-21 title to its list of honours, the perfect fillip ahead of the senior team’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Kilkenny on Sunday week.

“To be in two All-Ireland semi-finals with your county in August is what every player my age is after,” said an exultant Gleeson. “It’s a great night for hurling in the county, but we’ve a lot of hurling ahead of us yet.”

Waterford: J Henley; W Hahessy (B Whelan 60), C Gleeson, D Lyons (D Ryan, 60); M Harney, A Gleeson (0-5; 0-1f), C Prunty; M O'Brien (0-1), C Roche (0-1; P Hogan 1-0, 43); DJ Foran (0-1; N Fives, 60), T Devine (0-2), M Kearney (J Fagan, 58); P Curran (0-8; 0-6f, 0-1 65), Shane Bennett, Stephen Bennett (1-1).

Tipperary: B Hogan; P Maher, T Fox, D Sweeney; J Ryan (R Teehan, HT; 0-1), R Maher, S Ryan; B McCarthy (T Nolan, 60), B Heffernan; J Keane (0-6; 0-5f), M Russell, A Coffey (0-4; M McCarthy 58); W Connors, S Quirke (0-3), C Lanigan (0-1; P Ryan, 53).

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Limerick)