Camogie wrap: Déise inflict first defeat on Tipperary

Tipperary's sustained consistency of appearances in the knockout stages of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship is under considerable threat as a result of the a 1-16 to 0-13 defeat by resurgent Waterford at Semple Stadium.

The visitors followed up a resounding victory over Wexford last week with another tremendous effort in wet conditions, finally getting the better over opponents who had ended their aspirations at quarter-final level in recent years.

Although unbeaten to this juncture courtesy of draws against Clare and Dublin, Tipp have stuttered in the campaign to date without All-Star Karen Kennedy due to injury and former captain Orla O’Dwyer, due to her AFL commitments.

Róisín Howard’s suspension was a further blow and they never really got going in Thurles against a Waterford team that has been rebuilding this year but had standout performers in Clara Griffin, Lorraine Bray and Beth Carton.

Waterford move into second place in Group 1, just ahead of Dublin and behind Cork, after the Rebels came from behind to account for the Metropolitans by 2-10 to 0-9 courtesy of two Katrina Mackey goals yesterday.

Meanwhile, Tipp face a tall order to progress now, though it remains in their hands.

The Premier County did well to go in at the break trailing by just 1-7 to 0-7.

Bill Mullaney’s charges had were second best for most of proceedings and trailed by five points at the end of the opening quarter after Carton, Róisín Kirwan, Niamh Rockett and Bray moved the visitors 0-6 to 0-1 ahead.

Ereena Fryday, Grace O’Brien and Niamh Treacy illustrated the Tipp character but Abby Flynn dispatched a rocket to the roof of the Tipp net after carrying strongly, having been found with an excellent diagonal by Carton. Carton