Tipperary played Waterford in the All-Ireland Semi Final last Sunday. Tipperary came into the game as strong favourites. They won the league and the Munster championship and were unbeaten so far in competition this year. The winner gets to play a very strong Kilkenny on the 7th of September. Mags and I went to Croke Park full of expectation - we got good seats down the front of the Hogan Stand. A good place for photos.
Waterford got off to a flying start and were 6 points to nil up after 8 minutes. But Tipperary held their shape and composure and by half time it was 10 points apiece. In the second half it looks like Tipp were slowly in control and they went 2 points up when Waterford scored a lovely goal. Before we had time to worry Tipp had taken the puck out and fed the sliother to Lar Corbett who scored a wonderful goal less than a minute later.
Tipp got a little overanxious then and went for goal again when a point would have done. Waterford were more patient and hungrier and fighting for every ball - they were 2 points up as we approached full-time. 3 minutes of added time didn't make any difference and Waterford finished winners for their first All Ireland Final appearance in 45 years. Given that this was their 5th semi-final in 10 years it's probably fair to say that their time had come. Tipp have won an All-Ireland in every decade over the past 100 years - they are running out of time if they want to hold on to that record - it means that they have to win next year! The team is good enough and maybe the Cats would be too strong for them this year anyway.
Kilkenny would beat either of today's performances out of the park. Both teams were solid - but neither Waterford or Tipp were outstanding today - maybe that's just as well - they may have one more great performance in them - that at least would give us a game in September - the danger is that Kilkenny will win their 3 in a row easy - that would never be right!
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