U-21 HURLING MUNSTER SEMI-FINALS:JUST THREE days after their victory over Tipperary in the minor final, Waterford sent their neighbours crashing out of the under-21 championship with a magnificent victory in a thrilling provincial semi-final in Dungarvan last night.

It was hurling of the highest order, and while Tipp began as though they would sweep their opposition aside, they were made to play second fiddle to a rampant home side for most of the remainder of the game.

Tipperary eased into a lead thanks to a super goal by corner forward Pa Bourke, but Waterford replied with two quality goals in less than a minute from Thomas Ryan and Thomas Connors, and they led 2-6 to 1-8 at the interval.

A good game got even better on the turnover, but Waterford were calling most of the shots. Maurice Shanahan, the younger brother of Dan, was unerring from frees and play – he ended with 13 points – and despite the best efforts of Tipperary’s senior stars Noel McGrath and Séamus Callinan, Waterford steadily eased clear.

The killer blow for Tipperary was Ryan’s third goal a minute before the end of normal time.

WATERFORD: A Power; J Maher, S Fives, N Connors; P Mahony, S Daniels, D O’Sullivan (0-1); J Gorman, S O’Hare; P Murray (0-3), T Connors (1-1), M Shanahan (0-13); B O’Sullivan (0-1), S Casey (0-2), T Ryan (2-0). Subs: S Walsh for O’Hare; S Power for Shanahan.

TIPPERARY: B McCormack; D Maher, Padraic Maher, M Cahill; B Maher, T Stapleton, K Maher (0-1); S Hennessy, G Ryan; N McGrath (0-7), S Callanan (0-1), Patrick Maher; P Bourke (1-2), J O’Neill (0-2), S Burke (0-1). Subs: J O’Keeffe for D Maher; S Carey for G Ryan; M Heffernan (1-0) for S Bourke; J Coughlan for T Stapleton.

Referee: D O’Driscoll (Limerick).

The Munster Under-21 hurling final between Waterford and Clare

will take place on Wednesday, July 29th. Venue to be announced.