Three-Goal Tipp Into Final

Tipperary are into their second consecutive GAA All-Ireland Hurling Senior Championship final after they had a 3-19 to 1-18 win over Waterford in their semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Goals proved to be the deciding factors for Liam Sheedy's side, who were fully deserving of their win, benefiting from some astute tactical decisions on the sideline. Noel McGrath was probably Tipp's brightest star, though captain Eoin Kelly plundered two goals while John O'Brien, Shane McGrath and Padraic Maher also shone.

John Mullane showed up well for Waterford but not enough of the rest of their forwards did so, in contrast to Tipp's attacking division.

After an even opening, Tipp powered ahead to lead at half-time, 1-11 to 0-8, the crucial score coming from Lar Corbett in the 22nd minute, when he caught an excellent Padraic Maher delivery to kick the sliothar past Clinton Hennessy in the Waterford goal.

That, and the performances of Noel McGrath and John O'Brien, who scored seven points between them in the opening period, was the difference between the sides. McGrath, playing at centre-forward, was in excellent form as he was involved in a number of scores, curbing the influence of Déise centre-back Michael Walsh in the process.

While midfield was even for the most part, Shane McGrath's display meant that Tipp were shading matters there, but even though some of Waterford's distribution was poor, Eoin Kelly was on form from frees for the most part while John Mullane also contributed two good points.

Paul Curran and Padraic Maher were shining in defence for Tipp, who never trailed in the opening half bar the game's opening score, from Richie Foley.

By the time of the goal, Tipp had forged 0-7 to 0-5 ahead, and though Waterford stayed in touch from there to the break, Tipperary looked that bit sharper, Corbett's point in injury time meaning that there were six points between the sides at the interval.

A Tony Browne free within a minute of the restart gave Waterford some hope, however, and when Eoin Kelly converted his fourth free the gap was down to four, while his Tipperary namesake was struggling from placed balls, missing three in the opening nine minutes of the second half.

O'Brien's fourth point had put them four ahead again though, but Waterford looked to have the momentum now, Mullane with a fine score and another Kelly free making it 1-12 to 0-12 in the 46th minute.

Davy Fitzgerald's side were defending far better than they had been in the first half, but in attack they were still being made to work hard for their scores, as evidenced by the withdrawal of Eoin Kelly for Ken McGrath in the 51st minute.

At the other end Noel McGrath, having taken over free-taking duties, restored Tipp's four-point lead before Corbett added a wondrous point, and then came the second goal, Kelly showing brilliant skill to create a chance from Noel McGrath's sideline.

With an eight-point lead, 2-14 to 0-12, Tipp were now fully in command and Waterford went for broke, bringing on Dan Shanahan and Eoin McGrath for Kevin Moran and Shane Walsh.

Points from another sub, Ken McGrath, and Stephen Molumphy got them back into it somewhat, but Noel McGrath was in irrepressible form, sending over two points in the space of a minute.

Waterford needed a goal and they almost got it but Mullane's tame shot was saved by Brendan Cummins and though a Ken McGrath point followed, less than a minute later the game was as good as over, as Eoin Kelly scored his second goal, profiting from a Corbett handpass.

Mullane did have another goal chance brilliantly blocked by Cummins while Ken McGrath had a 20m free stopped, and though Tony Browne scored the 65s that resulted from both of those chances, Waterford needed more.

They got it when Eoin McGrath flicked the ball past Cummins when a Walsh free floated over the Tipp defence, making it 3-18 to 1-17, and his brother Ken followed that immediately with a point to leave two goals in it as the game entered its final minute of normal time.

Tipp were not going to be caught though and O'Brien's sixth point wrapped things up for them, setting up a rematch with Kilkenny next month.