Waterford are back in the TG4 Munster SFC and a meeting with champions Kerry after they recorded a hard-fought win over Tipperary at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. 

Waterford played with a strong wind at their backs in the first half and went to the dressing-rooms with a 0-5 to 0-3 advantage on the scoreboard.

The winners, who played without team captain Emma Murray who has moved to play with Geelong in this season’s AFWL, opened the scoring with a brace of Kellyann Hogan frees.

The loss of Murray will be a big blow to Waterford as will the impending loss of Hogan, as with a full squad the Déise County would be a match for most as they showed in the Lild National League where they finished third for the second year in a row. 

The visitors responded with a brace of similar scores from Kirsty Crotty Ryan, but Waterford were back in front midway through the opening half when Hogan kicked a point from just inside the out semi-circle and followed up with a free. 

Brid McMaugh extended the Waterford lead with a good score from play, but Tipperary put themselves in a good position going into the second half when the lively Lauren Cunningham pointed from play in added time to leave two between the sides. 

Cunnigham and Lauren McGregor swapped scores on the restart, before Ryan levelled matters when she put over a free from the edge of the out semi-circle.

McGregor, Eve Power, Clare Walsh, Hogan and Ruby Browne all added points for the home side to put them five in front. 

Ana-Rose Kennedy pulled a point back for Tipperary in added time and the same player drew and excellent save by Katelyn Gardner who tipped the ball round the post for a 45. 

 

Scorers: Waterford: K Hogan 0-5 (4f), L McGregor 0-2, B McMaugh, E Power, C Walsh, R Browne, K Murray 0-1 each. 

Tipperary: K Crotty Ryan 0-4 (2f 1 tpf), L Cunningham 0-2, Aoibhe O’Shea, A-R Kennedy 0-1 each. 

 

WATERFORD: K Gardner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Browne; A McGrath, R Casey, K McGrath; C Fennell, E Power; Á O’Neill, K Hogan, K Murray; C Walsh, B McMaugh, L McGregor. Subs: M Daly for C Fennell (ht), L Cusack for A McGrath (36), L Ni hArta for C Walsh (54), H McGrath for L McGregor (61), A Warring for B McMaugh (65). 

 

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; T Hoare, M Curley, E Cronin; K Cashman, N Martin, S English; L Morrissey, AR Kennedy; C English, L Cunningham, H Spillane; K Crotty Ryan, A McGuigan, E Morrissey. Subs: E Buckley for N Martin (26), N Shelly for E Morrissey (44), Aoibhe O’Shea for C English (45), Ava Ryan for H Spillane (49), K Downey for L Morrissey (54), 

Referee: C McCarthy (Cork).