GAELIC GAMES/Waterford 2-8 Tipperary 0-9:IN THEIR first season in Division Three, Waterford took a giant stride towards preserving their status with a hugely-impressive five-point victory at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, on Saturday night.

Although Tipperary raced into a three-point lead with scores from Barry Grogan, Conor Sweeney and Brian Fox, it was Waterford who were the dominant side thereafter. Goal of vintage quality from Eamonn Walsh in the 23rd minute and Patrick Hurney eight minutes later put them firmly in control and they were well on their way to what could yet be a priceless victory when they unflatteringly led by 2- 5 to 0-4 at the interval.

Tipperary began the second half as they had the first and they narrowed the deficit with a quick fire brace of points. That was as good as it would get for them, with Waterford quickly regaining the initiative largely through the brilliance of Thomas O’Gorman, Shane Briggs and Brian Wall, and they weren’t at all flattered by their five-point winning margin.

Tipp will reflect on at least three great goal chances that weren’t capitalised on.

WATERFORD: K Cotter; M O’Gorman, T O’Gorman, K Connery; W Hennessy, S Briggs, J Hurney; T Prendergast, B Phelan; B Wall (0-4, 0-1 free), E Walsh (1-1), T Connors; M Ferncombe, P Hurney (1-1), S Fleming (0-1). Subs: M O’Gorman (0-1) for Phelan (52 mins), C O’Keeffe for Ferncombe (56 mins), S Dempsey for Walsh (60 mins), T Grey for P Hurney (65 mins).

TIPPERARY: F Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; N Curran, L Egan, H Coughlan (0-1); B Jones, S Grogan; B Fox (0-2), G Hannigan (0-1), P Acheson; C Sweeney (0-1), P Austin, B Grogan (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45). Subs: S Hahessy for Sweeney (30 mins), K McGrath for Egan (half-time), J Caney for S Grogan (52 mins), A Matassa for Austin (56 mins), B Mulvihill for Fox (63 mins).

Referee: M Meade (Limerick).