Munster SFC: O'Connor inspires Tipp to victory over Waterford
Sean O'Connor of Tipperary is tackled by Darach O'Cathasaigh of Waterford during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship quarter-final match between Waterford and Tipperary at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile.
Munster SFC quarter-final
Tipperary 0-15 (0-1-13) Waterford 1-7 (1-0-7)
By Stephen Barry at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field
Six second-half points from Seán O’Connor were enough for Tipperary to see off Waterford and secure a Munster semi-final berth against Cork.
The Déise were eyeing a historic clean sweep of victories over Tipp after wins for their minors and U20s in the past week.
They led 1-3 to 0-5 having played with the wind, but once O’Connor’s orange flag pushed Tipp ahead in the 43rd minute, the visitors would never be caught.
Both teams featured just three starters from Waterford's famous victory over Tipp in their last Dungarvan clash two years ago.
For his first championship game in charge, Niall Fitzgerald handed out five debuts. Charlie King, Joe Higgins, and Killian Butler made the step straight up from U20 level. New recruits Shane Garland and Eoin Craddock also got their first championship starts. Steven O’Brien, man of the match in last year’s contest, missed out through injury.
On his return to the Waterford hotseat, Ephie Fitzgerald gave championship debuts to Simon Burns, Glen Power, Aaron Ryan, and Liam Mulligan. Darach Ó Cathasaigh replaced Tommy Martin in a late change and took up man-marking duties on O’Connor.
With a fuel protest closing the N20 bypass outside Fraher Field, 846 fans turned out on a day that mixed sunshine and rain. There was also a gale-force wind blowing into the estuary. Waterford won the toss and chose to play with the elements.
Tipp slowed the game down with controlled attacks outside Waterford’s arc defence. They worked the first point for debutant Butler. Alan Dunwoody levelled before Micheál Freaney handpassed Tipp back in front.
There followed 13 scoreless minutes until Waterford’s goal. Power appeared to attempt a two-pointer, but it fell perfectly for midfielder Michael O’Brien to catch and fire low into the net.
They led 1-1 to 0-2, but Tipp were level within three minutes with points from Craddock and a Cian Smith free.
Referee Barry Tiernan made five overcarrying calls in the first half. Waterford punished one of those for a Stephen Curry point. Conor Murray pushed them two ahead before Curry let a misplaced Tipp kick-out off the hook with a weak shot at goal.
Smith’s second free left one in the difference, 1-3 to 0-5, at half-time, and he levelled upon the resumption.
Stephen Curry got Waterford back in front, but Tipp began to find a higher gear with King’s fisted point.
Then, O’Connor’s first score of the day, a two-pointer, gave Tipp a 0-9 to 1-4 advantage.
Dunwoody brought it back to a one-point game, but Tipp eventually peeled away with six points without reply. O’Connor (two each from play and frees), Jack O’Neill, and Smith accounted for those scores. O’Connor also had a shot on goal blocked by Adam Crawford.
Adam Murray and Billy Hynes pulled two back for the Déise in stoppage time before Michael Curry was black-carded in the final play.
Scorers for Waterford: Michael O’Brien 1-0; Stephen Curry (1f), Alan Dunwoody 0-2 each; Conor Murray, Adam Murray, Billy Hynes 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Seán O’Connor 0-6 (1 2pt, 2f); Cian Smith 0-4 (3f); Jack O’Neill, Charlie King, Eoin Craddock, Micheál Freaney, Killian Butler 0-1 each.
WATERFORD: Simon Burns; Conor Ó Cuirrín, Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Billy Hynes; Aaron Ryan, Adam Crawford, Glen Power; Michael O’Brien, Michael Curry; Liam Mulligan, Conor Murray, Donal Fitzgerald; Dermot Ryan, Stephen Curry, Alan Dunwoody. Subs: Darragh Walsh for A Ryan (50), Adam Murray for Fitzgerald (58), Caoimhín Walsh for Dunwoody (66).
TIPPERARY: Shane Garland; Manus McFadden, Eoin O’Connell, Jack O’Neill; James Morris, Kieran Costello, Charlie King; Joe Higgins, Paudie Feehan; Eoin Craddock, Micheál Freaney, Killian Butler; Cian Smith, Seán O’Connor, Daithí Hogan. Subs: Paddy Creedon for Freaney (56), Mark Stokes for Butler (56), Mark Corcoran for McFadden (56), Emmet Moloney for King (66), Mark Russell for Smith (67).
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).
