Munster U-21 Hurling Final

WATERFORD 2-19 TIPPERARY 0-15

By Tomás McCarthy at Walsh Park

Austin Gleeson produced an outrageous second half display as Waterford collected their first Bord Gais Energy Munster under 21 title in 22 years at Walsh Park.

The Mount Sion centre back blazed over five points (four from open play) and delivered an exhibition of high fielding to inspire his colleagues to a fourth provincial triumph.

The sides were level entering the last quarter but the hosts overpowered Tipperary by 1-8 to 0-1 across the closing fifteen minutes. Substitute Peter Hogan netted the decisive three pointer on 50 minutes while Stephen Bennett’s opportunistic first half strike also proved significant for Sean Power’s team. Joint captains Patrick Curran and Adam Farrell accepted the cup as the jubilant white and blue supporters swarmed the pitch afterwards.

Aside from man of the match Gleeson, the reliable Curran drilled over 0-8 during the sixty minutes. Shane Bennett showed tremendous energy at midfield and Tom Devine powered into the game during the second thirty. Conor Gleeson and Darragh Lyons were solid performers at the back.

Before an attendance of 8,843, Waterford reeled off the first four points. Patrick Curran converted three placed balls (two frees and a 65) before DJ Foran’s shot clipped in off the upright. Andrew Coffey opened Tipp’s account after the 12 minutes.

William Maher’s side settled into the contest and used the direct route into the full forward line. Points by Stephen Quirke, Coffey and Conor Lanigan levelled matters on 16 minutes.

Mark O’Brien regained the Déise lead with a fine effort from midfield. With the next play, Coffey responded with his third point of the evening.

Josh Keane nudged Tipp in front for the first time on 21 minutes from a free. At the other end, DJ Foran burst through and passed inside to Patrick Curran but he was crowded out. Referee Johnny Murphy whistled a free and Curran obliged to leave it 0-6 each.

Determined play by Shane Bennett forced Barry Heffernan into over carrying and Murphy awarded another free in. Curran got a poor connection but Stephen Bennett pounced to rustle the back of the Tipp net (1-6 to 0-6). Keane had the last word of the first half with an injury time free as they trailed by two.

On the restart, Austin Gleeson lifted the home crowd with two long distance scorchers. Tipperary substitute Ronan Teehan pegged one back. Tom Devine and Curran opened a five point lead on 36 minutes (1-10 to 0-8).

Tipp stuck to their task. Coffey landed his fourth to start a mini-fightback. Two dazzling points by number fourteen Stephen Quirke and another Keane free whittled it down to a single.

Colm Roche disrupted that momentum but a pair of Keane points equalised this contest for a fourth time approaching the last quarter (1-11 to 0-14).

Gleeson leaped to Waterford's rescue again. Mark O’Brien and Stephen Bennett combined for Gleeson to wallop his third of the second period. Curran extended to two.

With ten minutes left on the watch, Stephen Bennett’s astounding overhead pass put Peter Hogan in the clear. The substitute collected and unleashed a rasper to the bottom corner. Game, set and match.

The hosts cut loose during the closing stages. Devine, Curran and Stephen Bennett all tagged on late points. Fittingly, hero of the hour Gleeson closed it out with an injury time free.

The newly crowned Munster champions progress to meet Ulster winners Antrim in the All Ireland semi final on August 20 at Semple Stadium.

**Scorers for Waterford: **P Curran 0-8, (0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65); Stephen Bennett 1-1; A Gleeson 0-5, (0-1 free), P Hogan 1-0, T Devine 0-2; DJ Foran, M O’Brien, C Roche all 0-1

Scorers for Tipperary: J Keane 0-6, 0-5 frees, A Coffey 0-4, S Quirke 0-3; C Lanigan, R Teehan 0-1 each.

**WATERFORD: **J Henley; D Lyons, C Gleeson,  W Hahessy; M Harney, A Gleeson, C Prunty; C Roche, Shane Bennett; M O’Brien, T Devine, DJ Foran; M Kearney, Stephen Bennett, P Curran. Subs: P Hogan for C Roche (42 mins); J Fagan for M Kearney (57); D Ryan for D Lyons (60); B Whelan (Tramore) for W Hahessy (61); N Fives for DJ Foran (62).

**TIPPERARY: **B Hogan; T Fox, D Sweeney, P Maher; S Ryan, R Maher, B Heffernan; J Ryan, W Connors; B McCarthy, S Quirke, A Coffey; C Lanigan, M Russell, J Keane. **Subs: **R Teehan for Ryan (HT); P Ryan for Lanigan (52); M McCarthy for Coffey (57); T Nolana for B McCarthy (60).

**Referee: **J Murphy (Limerick).