Waterford 2-16 Tipperary 1-13WATERFORD STAVED off a magnificent second-half comeback from Tipperary to prevail in an entertaining Munster Championship encounter at Walsh Park.

After going 21 minutes without a score, a brace of late Jake Dillon points, soon followed by substitute Michael Harney’s injury time goal ensured a semi-final meeting with Limerick.

Rueing their full-time total of 17 wides, Tipp had stubbornly hauled themselves back into proceedings thanks to a comeback ignited by Jason Forde’s goal from a 21-metre free after 43 minutes.

Despite Tipperary’s territorial dominance, Waterford were 1-9 to 0-7 up at the break.

Just before the interval, corner forward Cein Chester capitalised on Tipperary goalkeeper James Maher’s failure to deal with Shane Roche’s high ball to scoop the ball into an empty net.

WATERFORD: P Cooke; J Barron, D Ahern, C Walsh; S O’Neill, D Foley, J Power; R Barry, S Roche; D Flynn, J Dillon (0-10, eight frees, one 65), A O’Sullivan (0-3); S Bennett (0-1), C Kervick, C Chester (1-2). Subs: S McNulty for S Roche (49 mins); M Harney (1-0) for C Kervick (51); C Heffernan for A O’Sullivan (58 mins).

TIPPERARY: J Maher; J Bourke, J Meagher, J Peters; C Barrett, J Forde (1-1, 1-0 free), T Hamill; C Hammersley, E Fennelly; P Ralph, L McGrath (0-8, seven frees), T Kirwan; C Horan (0-1), S Maher (0-1), D McCormack (0-2). Subs: B Heffernan for Pat Ralph (38 mins); B Maher for Hammersley (40 mins); P Ryan for Horan (53 mins).

Referee: Derek McKessy (Limerick).