O'Neill and O'Keeffe help orchestrate Waterford coup

Munster MHC final/Waterford 0-18 Tipperary 1-13MARTIN O'NEILL led by example as outsiders Waterford shocked hot-favourites Tipperary to win their first Munster minor hurling title in 17 years at Semple Stadium yesterday.

Midfielder O’Neill finished with 10 points to his name. He was not the only star as goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe made three top-class saves to deny Tipperary goals at vital stages.

Wind-assisted in the first half, Waterford made all the early running and led by 0-11 to 0-8 at the break, O’Neill bagging six of those scores, including three from play.

Waterford certainly seemed to be coping with the conditions better than their opponents for whom John O’Dwyer had four points in the half.

And, a brace from centre forward Brian O’Halloran helped to move them further in front before the interval with Finan Murray cutting a beautiful sideline over the bar to ensure a three-point advantage.

Tipperary needed to raise their game in the second half but it was Waterford who continued to set the pace. By the 41st minute they had extended their lead to six points, 0-15 to 0-9.

Tipperary rallied briefly with points by Eanna Murray and John O’Dwyer but had a goal chance wasted by David Butler.

However, Waterford held their nerve and were 0-5 clear as the game went into injury time.

A goal by John O’Dwyer from a 20-metre free in the 61st minute came too late to deny Waterford their moment of glory.

It was a win that gave Waterford their fourth title in the grade. While O’Neill and O’Keeffe were the stars of the show, the displays of Tyrone Costelloe, John Dea, Paudie Mahoney and Ian Galgey were also very impressive.

And so Tipperary suffered defeat in the final for the second year running. Their performance fell well below expectations but Paul Ryan, Liam Butler, Adrian Cleere, Ruairi Gleeson and John O’Dwyer worked very hard to turn the game in their favour.

WATERFORD: S O’Keeffe; L Egan, T Costelloe, M Wyse; J Dee, P Mahoney, D Fives; F Murray (0-1), M O’Neill (0-10); P Mahoney (0-1), B O’Halloran (0-2), R Cahill (0-1), P Prendergast (0-1), J Dillon (0-1), I Galgey (0-1). Subs: K Moore for R Cahill.

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; A Ryan, K Butler, J Meagher; W Ryan, B Stapleton, A Hogan (0-1); E Murray (0-1), D Maher; J O’Dwyer (1-7), S Curran (0-1), A Cleere (0-1), D Collins, R Gleeson (0-2), D Butler. Subs: T Butler for D Maher; M O’Brien for D Collins; P Heffernan for D Butler.

Referee: C Lyons (Cork)