Waterford held on in a thrilling finish to defeat favourites Tipperary in the Munster under-21 hurling semi-final at Thurles last evening.

Waterford laid the foundations for this deserved win in the first half when they punished an indifferent Tipperary performance by establishing an interval lead of 0-8 to 0-3. Tipperary upped their game entering the last quarter inspired by a Paul Ryan goal in the 42nd minute and they drew level with four further points. However, Waterford, boosted by top-class displays by Victor O'Shea, Eoin Kelly, Pat Fitzgerald, John Mullane and John Phelan, held their nerve and responded with three points to edge ahead again.

Tipperary fought tooth and nail and hit two late points but a "goal" by Liam Kearney in injury time was disallowed for an infringement in the square.

Waterford: J O'Donnell; R Rice, J Phelan, J O'Donovan; J Murray, V O'Shea, A Kirwan; E Kelly (0-6), G Power; P Fitzgerald (0-6), S Prendergast, D Howard; J Mullane (0-2), B Wall, E McGrath (0- 2). Sub: Andrew Kirwan for Alan Kirwan.

Tipperary: D Young; C Everard, S McDermott, B Dunne; D Maher, P Maher, L Kearney; W Maher, G O'Grady; P Kelly (0-3), D Fahy (0-1), P O'Brien (0-4); S Butler, D Gleeson, P Ryan (1-1). Sub: E Brislane (0-1) for W Maher, A Kennedy (0-1) for O'Grady, E Kelly for Dunne, C Morrissey for Everard.