Munster MHC First Round – Waterford 2-16 Tipperary 1-13

Waterford defeated Tipperary by 2-16 to 1-13 in the Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship First Round on Wednesday at Walsh Park Waterford.

Harney goal seals the honours for Waterford

Waterford 2-16 Tipperary 1-13

By Fintan O’Toole for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Thursday, April 28, 2011

AN injury-time goal by substitute Michéal Harney put the seal on Waterford’s win over Tipperary in a frantic finish to last night’s Munster MHC quarter-final in Walsh Park. In splendid conditions, the Déise youngsters were merited victors but they had to withstand a ferocious late rally from a Tipperary team that trailed at one point in the second half by nine points. Waterford’s performance levels dropped considerably in the second half and their anxiety grew as Tipperary chipped away at their advantage. Tipperary’s brilliant free-taker Liam McGrath landed his eighth point of the match in the 55th minute to trim the gap to a single point. But they could not draw level and Waterford kept their heads admirably to close out the game.

Their outstanding centre-forward Jake Dillon held his nerve under pressure to convert two frees that stretched Waterford’s lead to three points. They were forced to survive a barrage of Tipperary pressure before breaking up the field in injury-time when corner-forward Stephen Bennett combined to set up Harney who lashed his shot to the net. It was fitting that Dillon was central to Waterford’s late rally as the De La Salle player provided great leadership throughout. In his third year in the inter-county minor ranks, Dillon justified his growing reputation with a superb 0-10 haul. The majority of his scores were sourced from placed balls but he drew plenty of those fouls from the Tipperary defence with his surging runs forward. Dillon’s clubmate Adam O’Sullivan at wing-forward and corner-forward Cein Chester were others to make a vital input to the Waterford attacking cause.

The defeat has significant repercussions for Tipperary’s ambitions as they must now prepare for a play-off against Cork or Kerry on Saturday week to salvage their season. Ultimately, their poor shooting in front of goal proved extremely costly as they racked up 17 wides. Ten of those misses arrived in the first half during a period where Tipperary enjoyed territorial dominance. In the second half they were grateful to the quality marksmanship of McGrath from placed balls and the major impact that captain Jason Forde made when shifted to midfield. That helped ignite Tipperary’s comeback but they had left themselves with too much of a deficit to bridge. In an eight-minute period either side of the interval, Tipperary were outscored by 1-6 to 0-1 and that was a critical phase in shaping the eventual outcome.

Tipperary midfielder Eoin Fennelly and wing-forward Stephen Maher became more prominent influences while full-back John Meagher was a colossal presence at the back. By the 16th minute they had pulled level through a McGrath free but Waterford hit back to forge a 0-8 to 0-5 advantage. Tipp kept things tight on the scoreboard courtesy of points by McGrath and Cathal Horan yet Waterford pounced for a vital goal before the break. Midfielder Shane Roche launched a long ball forward that slipped from the grasp of Tipperary netminder James Maher and fell perfectly for Cein Chester, who bundled his shot to the empty net.

Waterford’s position of supremacy was 1-9 to 0-7 at the break and they built on that early in the second half to power 1-14 to 0-8 ahead. Tipperary faced a daunting challenge at that stage but they made an excellent attempt to get back into contention. They shut up shop at the back where Meagher was outstanding and prevented Waterford from scoring for 20 minutes during the second half. Forde kick-started their revival when he smashed a 20-yard free to the net in the 43rd minute and Tipperary maintained that initiative to only trail by a point during the finale. But Waterford overcame their second-half lethargy to generate a fine finish that saw them claim the honours.

Scorers for Waterford: J Dillon 0-10 (0-8f, 0-1 ‘65); C Chester 1-2; M Harney 1-0; A O’Sullivan 0-3; S Roche 0-1.

Scorers for Tipperary: L McGrath 0-8 (0-7f); J Forde 1-1 (1-0f); D McCormack 0-2; C Horan, S Maher 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: P Cooke; J Barron, D Ahern, C Walsh; S O’Neill, D Foley, J Power; R Barry, S Roche; D Flynn, J Dillon, A O’Sullivan; S Bennett, C Kervick, C Chester.

Subs: S McNulty for Roche (48), M Harney for Kervick (52),C Heffernan for O’Sullivan (58).

TIPPERARY: J Maher; J Bourke, J Meagher, J Peters; C Barrett, J Forde, T Hamill; C Hammersley, E Fennelly; S Maher, P Ralph, T Kirwan; L McGrath, D McCormack, C Horan.

Subs: B Heffernan for Ralph (39), B Maher for Hammersley (41), P Ryan for Horan (53).

Referee: Derek Mackessy (Limerick)

Team News

The Tipperary minor hurling team to play Waterford in the Munster championship quarter final on Wednesday next, April 27 at Walsh Park, Waterford at 7.15pm has been named:

1. James Maher (Clonoulty Rossmore)

2. James Bourke (Moycarkey Borris)

3. John Meagher (Loughmore Castleiney)

4. Jack Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

5. Cathal Barrett (Holycross Ballycahill)

6. Jason Forde (Silvermines) Captain

7. Thomas Hamill (JK Brackens)

8. Conor Hammersley (Clonoulty Rossmore)

9. Eoin Fennelly (Mullinahone)

10. Pat Ralph (Moycarkey Borris)

11. Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

12. Tom Kirwan (Ballybacon Grange)

13. Cathal Horan (Mullinahone)

14. Sean Maher (Clonoulty Rossmore)

15. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)

Waterford Minor Team to play Tipperary in the Munster Minor Championship on Wednesday 27th in Walsh Park at 7.15pm

1. Paddy Cooke Ballygunner

2. Jamie Barron Fourmilewater

3. Damien Ahern Ferrybank

4. Colin Walsh St. Olivers

5. Stephen O’Neill Mount Sion

6. Darren Foley Clashmore

7. Jim Power Butlerstown

8. Ray Barry St. Carthage’s

9. Shane Roche Cois Brid

10. Darragh Flynn Erin’s Own

11. Jake Dillon De La Salle

12. Adam O’Sullivan De La Salle

13. Stephen Bennett St. Carthage’s

14. Chris Kervick Ballygunner (CAPTAIN)

15. Cein Chester Roanmore

Admission Prices
Adult – €10
Student/OAP with appropriate ID Card – €5
Under 16s are free

Contact Munster GAA PRO Ed Donnelly at pro.munster@gaa.ie for more information

For the Record

Munster Minor Hurling Championship Roll Of Honour

Tipperary (36), Cork (32), Limerick (5), Waterford (4), Clare (3)

Munster Minor Hurling Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began in1928 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/mh_teams/

Munster Minor Hurling Cup

There is no name on the Munster Minor Hurling Cup. The cup itself was presented by T.W.A. Shannon Airport in 1946.

All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship

In the Minor Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Tipperary and Cork are tied for second in the charts with 18 titles each behind Kilkenny’s 20 titles. Limerick have 3 titles (1940, 1958, 1984), Waterford have won 2 titles (1929, 1948) while Clare’s only title to date came in 1997.

Of the last 12 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Finals played, the Irish Press Cup has only returned to Munster on 3 occasions – Cork (2001) and Tipperary (2006 and 2007). Of the other 9 titles since 1999, Galway have 5 and Kilkenny have captured 4.

Tipperary were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1996, 2006, 2007

Cork were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2001

Munster Minor Hurling Finals

1928    @ Mitchelstown          Cork 3-4                      Waterford 3-2

1929    @ Waterford               Waterford 7-5              Tipperary 1-2

1930    @ Cork                       Tipperary 4-3              Cork 0-3

1931    @ Clonmel                  Tipperary 6-5              Waterford 6-2

1932    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 7-8              Clare 3-0

1933    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-1              Cork 2-2

1934    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-6              Waterford 0-6

1935    @ Cork                       Tipperary 4-3              Cork 2-1

1936    @ Mitchelstown          Cork 6-5                      Tipperary 1-4

1937    @ Cork                       Cork 8-4                      Limerick 3-2

1938    @ Cork                       Cork 9-3                      Kerry 0-0

1939    @ Thurles                   Cork 8-3          `           Clare 0-2

1940    @ Thurles                   Limerick 8-3                Clare 0-4

1941    @ Limerick                 Cork 4-6                      Tipperary 3-3

1942    Championship Abandoned

1943    No Championship

1944    No Championship

1945    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 8-10                        Clare 0-2

1946    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 5-6              Cork 4-2

1947    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 2-7              Waterford 1-2

1948    @ Thurles                   Waterford 3-6              Tipperary 0-2

1949    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-6              Clare 5-5

1950    @ Killarney                 Tipperary 12-3                        Clare 2-0

1951    @ Limerick                 Cork 5-11                    Limerick 1-3

1952    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 10-7                        Clare 1-2

1953    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-11                        Limerick 3-3

1954    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-5              Limerick 2-3

1955    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 8-11                        Waterford 2-5

1956    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 10-10          Waterford 4-4

1957    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 3-8              Limerick 1-4

1958    @ Thurles                   Limerick 8-9                Waterford 2-5

1959    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-8              Limerick 1-4

1960    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 6-7              Galway 4-3

1961    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 7-11                        Cork 1-6

1962    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 4-11                        Cork 4-1

1963    @ Limerick                 Limerick 4-12              Tipperary 5-4

1964    @ Limerick                 Cork 2-14                    Tipperary 2-9

1965    @ Limerick                 Limerick 5-5                Tipperary 3-9

1966    @ Limerick                 Cork 6-7                      Galway 2-5

1967    @ Limerick                 Cork 4-10                    Limerick 0-3

1968    @ Limerick                 Cork 7-8                      Waterford 4-2

1969    @ Limerick                 Cork 1-12                    Tipperary 2-4

1970    @ Limerick                 Cork 3-8                      Tipperary 4-4

1971    @ Killarney                 Cork 6-13                    Clare 3-5

1972    @ Thurles                   Cork 4-11                    Limerick 0-3

1973    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 5-12                        Limerick 5-4

1974    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-7                      Tipperary 2-10

@ Dungarvan             Cork 2-11                    Tipperary 2-7

1975    @ Limerick                 Cork 3-16                    Tipperary 1-7

1976    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-10                        Limerick 5-6

1977    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-8                      Limerick 2-7

1978    @ Thurles                   Cork 1-14                    Tipperary 3-6

1979    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-17                    Limerick 4-4

1980    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-17                        Limerick 1-4

1981    @ Thurles                   Clare 3-13                   Tipperary 3-11

1982    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-10                        Limerick 1-7

1983    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-15                        Limerick 2-8

1984    @ Thurles                   Limerick 3-6                Tipperary 2-7

1985    @ Cork                       Cork 1-13                    Tipperary 1-8

1986    @ Killarney                 Cork 3-10                    Tipperary 2-13

@ Kilmallock               Cork 2-11                    Tipperary 1-11

1987    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-11                        Cork 2-9

1988    @ Limerick                 Cork 5-7                      Tipperary 1-2

1989    @ Cork                       Clare 2-13                   Limerick 2-11

1990    @ Thurles                   Cork 1-9                      Clare 0-9

1991    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-13                        Limerick 1-5

1992    @ Cork                       Waterford 4-7              Tipperary 3-10

@ Cork                       Waterford 2-10            Tipperary 0-14

1993    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 1-12                        Cork 1-9

1994    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-15                    Waterford 0-9

1995    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-18                    Waterford 0-10

1996    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 2-18                        Waterford 1-11

1997    @ Cork                       Tipperary 2-13                        Clare 1-13

1998    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-18                    Clare 0-8

1999    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-13                        Clare 2-7

2000    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-19                    Limerick 1-10

2001    @ Cork                       Tipperary 1-13                        Cork 1-6

2002    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-7              Cork 2-7

2003    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 2-12                        Cork 0-16

2004    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-13                    Tipperary 3-8

2005    @ Cork                       Cork 2-18                    Limerick 1-12

2006    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-20                    Tipperary 1-15

2007    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 0-18                        Cork 1-11

2008    @ Limerick                 Cork 0-19                    Tipperary 0-18

2009    @ Thurles                   Waterford 0-18            Tipperary 1-13
2010    @ Thurles                   Clare 1-16                   Waterford 1-11

Odds and Ends

The last 3 counties to win the Munster Minor Hurling Championship all lost their first round matches. 2010 champions Clare lost to Waterford by 1-21 to 0-16 before qualifying via the Losers Group and defeated Waterford by 1-16 to 0-11 in the Munster Final. 2009 champions Waterford lost to Clare in the first round by 1-12 to 0-14 before getting back on track with wins over Limerick, Clare and Tipperary to win the final. Cork lost in the 2008 first round to Clare by 2-17 to 2-16 before securing victories over Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary.

Clare are the defending Munster Minor Hurling Champions following a 1-16 to 1-11 victory over Waterford at Semple Stadium Thurles. David O’Halloran’s 38^th minute goal proved the decisive score helping Clare to victory.

The winning Clare team and scorers were as follows – Ronan Taaffe; Haulie Vaughan, Paul Flanagan (Captain), Seadna Morey; Enda Boyce, Kevin Lynch, Stephan O’Halloran (0-1); Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly (0-2); Cathal Malone, Paudge Collins, Jamie Shanahan (0-1); David O’Halloran (1-3, 0-1 free), Niall Arthur (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65), Daire Keane (0-3). Subs: Alan Mulready for Malone (48), Cathal O’Connell for Collins (59)

Kerry’s Minor Hurling captain is Kieran Fitzgibbon from the 2010 Kerry County Minor Hurling champions Kenmare. Aided by players from the Dr Crokes and Kilgarvan clubs, Kenmare’s victory means the Sean Lovett Memorial Cup resides in the South of the county for the first time since 1988.

Limerick’s victory over Kerry in the first round of the 2010 Munster Minor Hurling Championship snapped a 7 game losing streak in the competition dating back to 2006.

Clare have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship over the last 5 years. Waterford have the next best consecutive streak with at least 1 victory in the last 3 years.

Cork have the best record in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship since 2000, winning 23 and drawing 3 of their 34 matches played, one victory better than Tipperary’s record.

Kerry’s last victory in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship came against Waterford in 1938, a 3-3 to 2-1 success in the semi-final. Cork defeated Kerry in the final.