Munster U20HC: Tipp turn on style in extra-time

Waterford's Iarlaith Daly with Andrew Ormond of Tipperary. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

Tipperary 5-18

Waterford 3-16

(after extra-time)

All-Ireland champions Tipperary came good in extra-time to see off Waterford in this evening's Munster U20HC semi-final at Fraher Field.

The holders will now meet Cork in the final for the third successive season, with the sides set to clash next Wednesday, 23 December.

Second best for large parts of normal-time, John Devane's side showed characteristics of champions to pull off an impressive eight-point victory.

With the game going into six minutes injury-time at the end of 60 minutes and leading by 2-13 to 1-13, Waterford appeared to have done enough to earn a place in the decider.

But the visitors launched a late rally, with Max Hackett scoring a goal at the death to force a 2-14 apiece draw and two ten minute periods of extra-time in Dungarvan.

Tipperary’s Max Hackett scores a goal to bring the game to extra-time. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

They never looked back after that as they went on to outscore Waterford 3-4 to 0-0 in the first ten minutes, Devon Ryan (2) and Conor Bowe blasting to the net.

Tipperary substitute Sean Hayes was sent off on a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident while Cormac Power netted a consolation goal for Waterford on 77 minutes. 

With the wind at their backs, the hosts got off to a flying start to the contest inside three minutes when Michael Kiely found the back of the Tipperary net for the opening score of the match.

1-4 to 0-2 in front at the first water break, they could have been further ahead during the first quarter, with Kevin Mahony having a penalty saved well by Aaron Browne.

A Andrew Ormond goal fired Tipperary back into contention on the restart before a brace of points from James Power helped Stephen Gough's outfit regain the momentum.

Waterford were much the better team in the opening half and a two-point (1-8 to 1-6) half-time deficit flattered the eventual winners.

Full-forward Kiely struck for his second goal via the penalty spot on 43 minutes to push the Deise's lead out to five again.

Then came the equalising goal by substitute Hackett, Tipperary's tails were up.

Tipperary - A Browne; J Ryan, C Whelan, E McBride; F Purcell, E Connolly, R McCormack; K Maher (0-1), K McCarthy (0-1); G O’Connor (0-1), C Bowe (1-3), D Ryan (2-10, 0-7f); A Ormond (1-1), K O’Kelly, S Ryan. Subs: K Ryan for R McCormack, S Hayes for S Ryan, J Devaney (0-1) for G O’Connor, M Hackett (1-0) for F Purcell, E O’Reilly for J Power, D Flannery for E McBride, S Kirwan for K O’Kelly, C O’Dwyer for D Ryan. 

Waterford - D Beecher; C Ryan, T Foley, S Fitzgerald (0-1); R Furlong, G Fives (0-1), L O’Brien; P Leevy, C Wadding (0-1); J Power (0-2), I Daly, R Halloran (0-1); K Mahony (0-4f), M Kiely (2-2, 1-0pen), A Kirwan (0-2). Subs: J Burke (0-2) for R Halloran, C Power (1-0) for I Daly, O O Ceallaigh for A Kirwan, E O'Reilly for J Power, E O Crotaigh for S Fitzgerald, PJ Fanning for G Fives, J Power for M Kiely, R Halloran for E O’Reilly, A Kirwan for C Power.

Referee - J O’Halloran.