Tipp need late goals to squeeze past Waterford in Thurles

Two goals in the closing ten minutes secured Tipperary's victory over Waterford in the Munster quarter-final at Semple Stadium, booking a semi-final spot against All-Ireland champions Kerry.

Relegated, having failed to win a game in Division 3, Tipp badly needed a win to get their season going but they struggled for long periods to impose themselves on the game against a Waterford side, which had also underperformed in the league.

With Steven O'Brien back after injury, Tipp dominated early on, the returning inside forward notching three points to give them a 0-04 to 0-01 lead after 13 minutes.

Waterford settled with two points but on the 28th minute O'Brien blasted home a goal, following a long delivery from Donough Leahy. The hosts led by three at the break, 1-05 to 0-05.

Waterford began the second half brightly with three points and when their top performer Darragh Corcoran netted for them in the 59th minute they edged ahead for the first time, 1-08 to 1-07.

Their joy was short-lived as Stephen Quirke rustled up 1-01 in a couple of minutes, finding the net in the 61st after Jack Kennedy had done the spadework.

Paudie Feehan sealed the Tipperary win with their third goal in injury-time.

Tipp face a daunting trip lo Kerry for the semi-final but will have to improve enormously on this showing to even trouble the All-Ireland champions.

O'Brien was the bright spot, scoring 1-3 from play in a man of the match performance. Jack Kennedy, Stephen Quirke, and Mikey O Shea were others to figure prominently.

Waterford’s poor season continues and they face into the Tailteann cup low on confidence. Darragh Corcoran was their key man in attack with Dermot Ryan, Jordan O Sullivan and Michael Kiely others to have big games for them.

Tipperary: M