By Eddie Ryan
Austin Gleesons long range free deep into added time, snatched the Allianz Hurling League points for Waterford. After a gripping contest Waterford finally got over the line, after the locals lost their way in the third quarter.Tipperary were dealt a blow before the throw in, as Seamus Callanan was withdrawn because of a ham string issue.
The home side had started brightly, and Waterford were second best for long spells of the half. The Premier were four up at half time, and looked well set to record a much needed victory.
They had closed the half strongly, with two points from John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer, and another from from Michael Breen.They could have been further clear as Patrick ’Bonnar’ Maher spurned a great goal opportunity, the Lorrha man was unable to guide the ball past Stephen O’Keeffe in the Waterford goal.
Waterford began to take a stranglehold around mid-field after the break. Patrick Currans three points on the bounce put them right back in contention. Kevin Moran then cut the gap to a single point, as Tipperary drifted out of the contest.
Niall O’Meara entered the fray and fluffed a glorious goal chance, after Darren Gleesons long range free broke kindly to him. Waterford were by now in full flow, and made Tipperary pay a heavy price for the miss.
Sub Tom Devine powered through to smash the ball past Gleeson, and suddenly the Deise were two clear. Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran put them four in front, as the Tipperary challange appeared to have petered out.
John O’Dwyer pointed a free to cut the margin to three, and a grandstand finish looked on the cards when John McGrath finish smartly with three minutes remaining. Sadly for the Premier it was a case of Déjà vu‘ as Waterford, just like Kilkenny plundered the points late on.
Patrick Curran levelled matters from a free, and then Gleeson steeped up to nail a sensational winner as time expired.