Waterford stunned as late Tipperary rally ties up Walsh Park thriller

Tipperary and Waterford had to be content with a share of the spoils after a thrilling draw in Walsh Park on Saturday evening.

Waterford led by four points after 70 minutes but were pegged back by a late Tipperary rally which, after two rounds, effectively blows the Munster championship wide open.

Jack Prendergast had put Waterford four up as the clock struck 70 but a goal from sub Sean Kenneally stunned the home crowd before a free from Gearóid O'Connor levelled the game with the last puck.

An emphatically struck Stephen Bennett penalty on four minutes settled Waterford into the game after a cagey start from both sides.

Mikey Kiely appeared to have been pulled back and referee James Owens had no doubt in his mind about the decision.

Dessie Hutchinson and Mark Kehoe then traded points before a brace from Tipperary’s roving midfielder Eoghan Connolly.

Stephen Bennett responded for Waterford with his first of the day after a clever pass from Hutchinson before Kehoe capitalised on a puck-out malfunction from Waterford to notch his second.

Waterford drew a big cheer from the home crowd moments later when a three-man move involving Jack Fagan and Darragh Lyons led to a Neil Montgomery score.

O’Connor and Kieran Bennett exchanged points before Tipperary hit three-in-a-row to go in front for the first time. Ronan Maher’s from distance was the pick of the bunch.

Prendergast was denied a goal moments later but Stephen Bennett ensured that Waterford got something from that attack, with a simply jaw-dropping effort from the sideline.

Kehoe and Morris hit back for Tipperary before a quick-fire 1-02 from Waterford.

Bennett and the rampaging Calum Lyons raised white flags before, with his second bite of the cherry, Prendergast wasn’t to be