TIPPERARY 1-17 WATERFORD 1-10:Tipperary had sweet revenge for their McGrath Cup defeat by Waterford last month with this seven-point win over their neighbours in their hard-fought game at Ardfinnan yesterday.
Hurling All-Star goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, who lined out at full forward, gave a man of the match performance for the winners, landing nine points, three from play, to pave the way for a well-deserved home victory.
Tipperary were forced to take a back seat early on as Waterford piled on the pressure and a fifth-minute goal by wing forward Connie Power gave them an 1-2 to 0-1 lead.
Tipperary were then dealt a severe blow, losing influential full back, Liam Cronin, who was stretchered off with a damaged knee and torn ligaments.Waterford led 1-5 to 0-6 at the end of the half.
Cummins, however, with three points in three minutes, got Tipperary's whirlwind start to the second half underway and when Damien O'Brien made it four scores in as many minutes, they had moved into a 0-10 to 1-5 lead.
And though Waterford were soon level once more, Tipperary pulled ahead and eventually claimed victory by seven points.
TIPPERARY: P Ryan; N Kelly, L Cronin, N Sheehan; S Maher (0-1), S Collum, C O'Dwyer (0-1); N Fitzgerald, M Tarrant; D Byrne, F O'Callaghan (0-3), D O'Brien (1-2); K Maguire, B Cummins (0-9), B Hickey (0-1). Subs: B Hahessy for L Cronin, L England for K Maguire, W Morrissey for N Sheehan, E Hanrahan for L England.
WATERFORD: P Houlihan; M Crotty, M Fitzgerald, K Coffey; T Dunphy, J Hearne, B Wall; R Power, J Hennessy; C Power (1-2), S Briggs, W Hennessy (0-1); E Doherty (0-2), G Hurney (0-5), F Halpin. Subs: Richie Hennessy for Brian Wall, C O'Keeffe for J Hennessy, Ray Hennessy for F Halpin, N Curran for S Briggs, A Power for E Doherty.
Referee: C Broderick (Down).
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