Munster Senior Hurling Final – Tipperary 2-17 Waterford 0-16

Déise restore some pride in Páirc

Tipperary 2-17 Waterford 0-16

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, almost to the day, Waterford came to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to take on Tipperary in the Munster senior hurling final with high hopes but left with flags lowered, on the wrong end of a seven-goal beating. Yesterday they were back in Cork, back in another Munster final, and even though they again came out the wrong end, pride at least was restored. Ironically they scored less than they managed last year (16 points here, 19 points in 2011) but the critical point is they defended much better.

Where in 2011 everything went right for Tipperary in front of goal, Lar Corbett finishing with four majors, yesterday the same Lar was guilty on several occasions of taking the wrong option with goal again at Tipp’s mercy. Waterford too missed their goal opportunities, denied on three occasions in the second half by the giant figure of Brendan Cummins between the Tipperary posts. Overall then this was probably a fair result, and a much more accurate reflection of the true difference between these two teams.

It began well for Waterford, really well in fact, 0-4 to 0-1 in front after eight minutes, making light of the slippery sod following the earlier heavy showers. Then one man above all in a dangerous Tipperary attack that Waterford needed to curb, centre-forward Patrick Bonner Maher, announced his presence. A rob of Waterford centre-back and captain Micheál ‘Brick’ Walsh, solo, hand-pass to the lurking John O’Brien, goal from point-blank range, Waterford keeper Stephen O’Keeffe given no chance. Stephen though, would go on to have an excellent game for the Déise, as would Brendan Cummins at the other end for Tipperary.

That goal lifted the champions and roared on now by their greater support in the 26,438 attendance they began to hit their rhythm, led by a goal in the 23rd minute (1-7 to 0-7), the rampant O’Brien adding two points, wing-back Padraic Maher charging forward for another, Noel McGrath and free-taker Pa Bourke also getting in on the act. Bourke, however, tightly marked by veteran Tony Browne (his 21st championship season), would end up being called ashore, replaced by Eoin Kelly in a tribute to Browne’s enduring excellence.

The minutes before half time were when Tipperary did the damage last year, four goals in a deadly five-minute spell. Not alone was there going to be no repeat of that, Waterford actually regained the initiative with four points from the lofty Maurice Shanahan, closing out the half and leaving the sides level at the break, 1-8 to 0-11. Anyone’s game at this stage and indeed a shock even looked possible. Noel Connors, in the right rather than his usual left-corner back slot, was outstanding for Waterford, the middle third (half-back/midfield/half-forward) was more than holding its own, while the inside line had contributed five points from play in the opening half, John Mullane with three, full-forward Shane Walsh with a brace.

The underdogs began the new half well, twice went a point ahead through Stephen Molumphy and Shanahan, but gradually Tipp began to wear them down. Points from Noel McGrath, John O’Brien, corner-back Michael Cahill and Eoin Kelly, in reply to yet another Shanahan free, had Tipp two ahead in the 54th minute (1-13 to 0-14), when disaster struck for Waterford. First, a very softly-awarded free won by a falling Brendan Maher out around midfield, wide on the left; next an under-hit shot from Eoin Kelly; ball broken out by Waterford keeper O’Keeffe to sub Shane Bourke, who scored. That was it for Waterford really, the stake through the heart. Five points behind, they now needed things to go their way but they couldn’t catch a break. Too many shots went astray and even when they were on target, Cummins was just in one of those humours where he wasn’t going to be beaten.

A deserved win for Tipperary, who emphasised their recent dominance in the province, this their fourth title of the last five years. They did what they came to do, completed a nice treble for the weekend (the senior footballers beat Wexford on Saturday, minors actually did a double of their own, having already won the Munster football crown), but the form shown here won’t win an All-Ireland title. Pride restored for Waterford but there’s even more in this team and the All-Ireland quarter-final will give them another shot at progressing.

Scorers for Tipperary: J O’Brien 1-3, S Bourke 1-1, N McGrath, E Kelly (2f) 0-3 each; B O’Meara, P Bourke (2f) 0-2 each, M Cahill, Padraic Maher, S McGrath 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: M Shanahan 0-8 (5f, 165), J Mullane 0-3, S Walsh 0-2, S Molumphy, Pauric Mahony, E Kelly (1f) 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; C O’Brien, P Curran (c), M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; B Maher, S McGrath; B O’Meara, Patrick Maher, P Bourke; L Corbett, N McGrath, J O’Brien.

Subs: E Kelly for Bourke (34), S Bourke for O’Meara (53), D Maher for Stapleton (64), S Callanan for N McGrath (66).

WATERFORD: S O’Keeffe; N Connors, L Lawlor, S Daniels; T Browne, M Walsh (c), K Moran; S Molumphy, Phillip Mahony; M Shanahan, S Prendergast, Pauric Mahony; J Mullane, S Walsh, G O’Brien.

Subs: P O’Brien for Pauric Mahony (45), E Kelly for O’Brien (45), M O’Neill for S Walsh (61), J Nagle for Browne (62).

Referee: C McAllister (Cork)

Tipperary 2-17 Waterford 0-16

Report from the RTE.ie web site

Waterford ran out of steam in the second half as Tipperary retained their Munster SHC crown with a 2-17 to 0-16 success at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Declan Ryan’s men did not need the goal-scoring fireworks of last year’s final as they methodically killed off the challengers point by point. Waterford set a high intensity and recovered from leaking a John O’Brien goal to get back level – 0-11 to 1-08 – by half-time. But some shrewd substitutions – Shane Bourke scored the second goal and Eoin Kelly was influential – helped Tipp turn the screw.

The 26,438 spectators present were treated to a typically high-octane start with the Déise obviously eager to banish memories of that 7-19 to 0-19 trouncing. The Waterford half-back line, led heroically all afternoon by Kevin Moran, supplied an early flurry of possession and Shane Walsh rewarded them with a left-sided point. The ever-ready John Mullane got out in front of his marker Michael Cahill to fire over Waterford’s second point and they were 0-03 to 0-00 to the good after the fit-again Pauric Mahony pointed. Pressure from Moran and company forced Tipp into hurried shots and it took Brian O’Meara to open the defending champions’ account in the seventh minute, after three earlier wides. Free-taker Maurice Shanahan replied but Ryan’s charges were level by the 11th minute, Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher breaking free from Tony Browne and finding John O’Brien whose shot from a tight angle flew past goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe.

It was a goal that could have unsettled Waterford, however points from the very effective Shane Walsh and Mullane, sandwiching an O’Brien effort, helped them retake the lead – 0-06 to 1-02. Playing with an infectious passion and no little skill, the first quarter hour was an ideal statement of intent from Waterford – save for O’Brien’s well-finished goal. But the Premier County slung over three points in quick succession to move ahead by the midpoint of the half. Thomas Stapleton and Padraic Maher were winning more ball and pressing forward in a role reversal from the opening minutes. Maher, Noel McGrath and O’Brien all pointed during that purple patch for Tipp and the latter was also denied a second goal.

Tipperary’s own reliable custodian, Brendan Cummins, was aiming for his fifth clean sheet in a Munster hurling decider and he was called upon to foil Shanahan after a charging run from the forward in the 25th minute. Walsh and Mullane were in clinical form despite a limited supply of ball and while Shane McGrath and Bourke were able to maintain Tipp’s three-point advantage, Waterford made good headway before the break. Shanahan converted the ‘65’ after Cummins saved his goal-bound shot and added three more points in the closing minutes of a half that bristled with aggression – referee Cathal McAllister had to calm matters after a spate of meaty shouldering and head-to-head confrontations.

Shanahan’s sharpshooting – he took his tally to 0-05 – erased Tipp’s lead and gave his side a massive boost. They got another jolt when Stephen Molumphy, a key contributor in centre-field, pointed them ahead (0-12 to 1-08) following a terrific Mullane assist, two minutes into the second period.

However, it was the signal for Tipp to lift their game and over the ensuing minutes they rattled off a series of points from O’Meara, Noel McGrath, O’Brien and defender Cahill. Waterford dug deep to keep in contention, Shanahan lobbing over a free after Mullane was fouled, and both O’Keeffe and Cummins had to be on their toes to keep out goals. Tipp substitute Eoin Kelly forced a good save from O’Keeffe while Cummins dealt well with a ground shot from Paul O’Brien, who was brought on by manager Michael Ryan. Having landed a free, Kelly stood over another one in the 55th minute. He dropped it short but the Waterford defence, including O’Keeffe, were unable to clear the danger and Shane Bourke reacted smartly to strike the loose ball to the net.

Waterford were now 2-13 to 0-14 adrift and although their work-rate could not be questioned, they evidently lacked the composure to test Tipp over the remainder. Bad wides followed from Shanahan, Browne and Moran and Cummins was also frustrating them at close quarters, getting down well to stop a stinging shot from Waterford’s Eoin Kelly. The margin was widened to six points by Noel McGrath before Kelly, taking over the free-taking duties from Shanahan, lifted his side with an accurate free.

The Tipp rearguard were solid as the hour mark came and went, Cummins and company standing firm as Kelly drove a 20-metre free towards them. The victors might have had a third goal by that stage, ‘Bonner’ Maher was brought down by Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh as he cut through on the end of a breaking ball. Kelly opted to take his point from the resulting free, while Lar Corbett, who was so devastating when the counties here met twelve months ago, blew a couple of goal-scoring chances when deciding to pass rather than backing himself for the shot. Nevertheless, there were no late heroics from Déise as Kelly and goalscorer Bourke swept over the final scores of the day.

Scorers:

Tipperary: J O’Brien 1-03, S Bourke 1-01, N McGrath, E Kelly (0-02f) 0-03 each, B O’Meara, P Bourke (0-02f) 0-02 each, Padraic Maher, S McGrath, M Cahill 0-01 each

Waterford: M Shanahan 0-08 (0-05f, 0-01 ‘65’), J Mullane 0-03, S Walsh 0-02, P Mahony, S Molumphy, E Kelly (0-01f) 0-01 each

TIPPERARY: Brendan Cummins; Conor O’Brien, Paul Curran (capt), Michael Cahill; Thomas Stapleton, Conor O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; Brendan Maher, Shane McGrath; Pa Bourke, Patrick Maher, Lar Corbett; Brian O’Meara, John O’Brien, Noel McGrath.

Subs used: Eoin Kelly, Shane Bourke, Donagh Maher, Seamus Callanan.

WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Noel Connors, Liam Lawlor, Stephen Daniels; Tony Browne, Michael Walsh (capt), Kevin Moran; Stephen Molumphy, Philip Mahony; Pauric Mahony, Seamus Prendergast, Maurice Shanahan; John Mullane, Shane Walsh, Gavin O’Brien.

Subs used: Eoin Kelly, Paul O’Brien, Martin O’Neill, Jamie Nagle.

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)

Team News

The Waterford Senior Hurling team to play Tipperary is as follows –

1. Stephen O’Keeffe Ballygunner

2. Noel Connors Passage

3. Liam Lawlor Fourmilewater

4. Stephen Daniels De La Salle

5. Tony Browne Mount Sion

6. Michael Walsh (Captain) Stradbally

7. Kevin Moran De La Salle

8. Stephen Molumphy Ballyduff Upper

9. Philip Mahony Ballygunner

10. Pauric Mahony Ballygunner

11. Seamus Prendergast Ardmore

12. Maurice Shanahan Lismore

13. John Mullane De La Salle

14. Shane Walsh Fourmilewater

15. Gavin O’Brien Roanmore

Bainisteoir: Michael Ryan; Roghnoirí: Sean Cullinane, Ken McGrath

The Tipperary senior hurling team to play Waterford in the Munster SH championship final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday shows 1 change from the team which started the semi-final against Limerick. Lar Corbett will start in place of the injured Gearoid Ryan. The team is:

1. Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange)

2. Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty)

3. Paul Curran (Mullinahone) Captain

4. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)

5. Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons)

6. Conor O’Mahony (Newport)

7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

8. Brendan Maher (Borris–Ileigh)

9. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)

10. Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields)

11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha)

12. Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields)

13. Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

14. John O’Brien (Toomevara)

15. Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

Parking Arrangements for Munster Final

Cork County Board is encouraging supporters of Waterford and Tipperary who clash in the Sunday’s Munster Final, to use the multi-storey car park at City Hall and to either walk or use a shuttle bus service to Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Discounted match day parking – at a fixed rate of €5 for all day parking – will be available at the Q Park multi-storey car parking facilities at City Hall in the city centre. The car park is approximately 15 minutes walk from the stadium and a few minutes walking distance from Bus Arus from where a continuous pre-match shuttle service, on a priority route, will operate to the game.

Said Bob Ryan, chairman of Cork County Board: “We would like to thank Q Park for opening up the facility which provides secure, supervised car parking. City Hall car park is ideally suited for match days. It allows people to have a meal or drink in the city centre before the game and to get to the stadium quite easily. The availability of the Q Park facility is important as residential areas near the stadium will not be available for parking and will be barriered and manned by Gardai and GAA stewards”.

Limited free parking will be available at Kennedy Quay, Marina Green Areas and some of the approach roads to the venue. Limited on-street parking is available in the city centre.

New parking and traffic arrangements are being undertaken by Cork County Board in conjunction with the Munster Council and the Gardai to ease traffic and facilitate quicker egress from the city after the fixture which is expected to attract a very big crowd. “We have put in place new parking and transport arrangements which provide spectators with options which they can choose to use to not. We want everyone to enjoy the day and again we would ask people to park with due consideration for others,” said Bob Ryan.

Match Coverage

This game will be shown live on RTE 2

Referee – Cathal McAllister (Cork)
Stand By Referee – John Sexton (Cork)
Linesman – Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)
Sideline Official – Jason O’Mahony (Limerick)
Umpires – Bernard Butler, Danny Looney, Timmy Dineen, Denis Crowley (all Cork)

Replay date – Saturday July 21^st

Next Round – the winners qualify for the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Sunday August 19^th. The loser qualifies for the All-Ireland Quarter-Final on Sunday July 29^th.

For the Record

Munster GAA HURLING Senior Championship 2012

Quarter-Final

Sunday May 27^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles Tipperary 2-20 Limerick 1-19

Semi-Finals
Sunday June 17^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles Waterford 2-17 Clare 1-18

Sunday June 24^th

@ Pairc Ui Chaoimh                        Tipperary 1-22 Cork 0-24

Final

Sunday July 15^th (Replay date – July 21^st)

@ Pairc Ui Chaoimh                        Waterford v Tipperary @ 4:00pm