Waterford Crystal Cup Senior Hurling Final – Tipperary 4-22 Clare 3-11

Tipperary defeated Clare by 4-22 to 3-11 in the Waterford Crystal Cup Hurling Final on Friday February 7th at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Maher on the double as Tipp crush Banner

Tipperary 4-22 Clare 3-11

Report from the Irish Independent web site

TIPPERARY captured the Waterford Crystal Cup for the second time in three years at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, defeating reigning champions Clare in front of 1,248 spectators. Tipp were the more consistent side on the night and deserved their win, whereas All-Ireland kingpins Clare, who began with eight starters from last September’s final, only played in fits and bursts. When Eamon O’Shea’s charges knuckled down after the break they ran out easy winners.

An entertaining opening half saw Clare go in a point ahead (3-5 to 1-10) at the break, thanks to a trio of goals in a spectacular five-minute spell. With Tipp dominating and leading by 1-8 to 0-4, thanks to a Michael Heffernan goal in the 24th minute, the Banner came thundering back with goals by John Conlon, Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath, plus a Peter Duggan point to overhaul their opponents.

Tipp recovered, however, and by the interval whistle had reduced the deficit to a point with scores from Conor O’Brien and Heffernan. Banner boss Davy Fitzgerald could not have been happy with his side’s tally of seven wides in the first half but the hat-trick of goals in such a short space of time must have gladdened the Sixmilebridge man.

A good burst by the Tipperary men yielded a goal and three points within four minutes of the restart, Conor Kenny rattling the Clare net in the 38th minute to restore their lead. As the half progressed, Tipp got a hold on their opponents and dominated proceedings.

Centre-forward Seamus Callanan was unerring from placed balls and fellow front men Denis Maher and Michael Heffernan proved to be a handful for the Clare defence. Tipperary got into their stride 13 minutes into the half when Denis Maher found the back of the Clare net following a fine handpass by Callanan.

This score put the Premier county in the driving seat and pushed them 3-14 to 3-9 in front. Maher forced another green flag six minutes later when, after a magnificent solo run and pass by centre-back Thomas Stapleton, he drilled past Pa Kelly in the Clare goal. The deficit proved a bridge too far for the All-Ireland champions as Tipperary ran out easy winners and claimed the first trophy of the year in Munster.

SCORERS – Tipperary: S Callanan 0-9 (7fs), D Maher 2-2, M Heffernan 1-1, C Kenny 1-0, J Woodlock, R Gleeson, K Morris 0-2 each, C O’Brien (f), S Bourke, S O’Brien, T Stapleton 0-1 each. Clare: T Kelly 1-2, J Conlon 1-1, C McGrath 1-0, C Ryan (2fs), C O’Connell (2fs) 0-3 each, P Duggan 0-2.

TIPPERARY – D Gleeson; C Barrett, C O’Mahony, R Maher; S McGrath, T Stapleton, C O’Brien; J Woodlock (Capt.), S Bourke; D Maher, S Callanan, P Murphy; K Morris, C Kenny, M Heffernan. Subs: R Gleeson for Bourke (63), S O’Brien for Kenny (63), J O’Dwyer for Morris (63), P Heffernan for McGrath (66).

CLARE – P Kelly; P Flanagan, C Dillon, S Morey; C Cleary, P Donnellan (capt), P O’Connor; S Golden, P Duggan; J Conlon, T Kelly, C Ryan; D Reidy, C McGrath, C O’Connell. Subs: C McInerney for Golden (h-t), S Collins for Ryan (50), D McInerney for Flanagan (64).

REFEREE – J Sexton (Cork)

Tipperary 4-22 Clare 3-11

Report from the RTE GAA web site

Eamon O’Shea’s Tipperary beat Clare by 14 points, 4-22 to 3-11, at the Gaelic Grounds this evening to win the Waterford Crystal Cup. The Premier County romped to an ultimately comfortable victory as they overturned a one-point half-time deficit against the All-Ireland champions. Denis Maher bagged two second-half goals for the Premier County, after Conor Kenny had netted in the 38th minute.

Michael Heffernan scored Tipp’s first-half goal but Clare bagged 3-01 within five minutes to help establish a 3-05 to 1-10 interval lead. 1,248 spectators watched on a rain-sodden evening as Tipp produced a powerful second-half performance to regain the title they last won in 2012.

In the third successive Waterford Crystal Cup final between the counties, Tipp turned up the heat after half-time to blow away Davy Fitzgerald’s Banner men. Clare held that slight half-time advantage but they were outscored by 0-06 to 3-12 in a one-sided second period.

In the first half, Tipp led by 0-08 to 0-04 when Heffernan’s scrappy 24th-minute goal put real daylight between the sides. Thomas Stapleton’s lengthy delivery stuck in the Clare goalmouth and as goalkeeper Patrick Kelly attempted to clear, Heffernan bundled the ball home.

On an evening when Clare lined out with eight of the team that started last year’s All-Ireland final replay win over Cork, Tipp enjoyed an encouraging early-season success ahead of next Saturday evening’s opening Allianz NHL Division 1A clash with Waterford.

Clare’s cause wasn’t helped tonight either by a tally of 12 wides – including seven in the first half when they were on top.

But Clare did show why they were so deadly last year by opening up with a quickfire run of scores. John Conlon, 2013 Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath raised green flags to hand Fitzgerald’s men the whip hand. Conlon struck in the 26th minute before Kelly and McGrath registered goals within 60 seconds of each other.

Tipp responded with the closing two points of the first half to remain very much in touch and they were relentless in the second period, outscoring the Banner men by 3-12 to 0-06. Conor Kenny netted a 38th minute goal for the winners before Denis Maher bagged a brace. The Thurles Sarsfields man cracked home a fine 48th-minute goal and he struck again six minutes later.

CLARE: P Kelly; P Flanagan, C Dillon, S Morey; C Cleary, P Donnellan, P O’Connor; S Golden, P Duggan (0-02); S Golden, P Duggan; J Conlon (1-01), T Kelly (1-02), C Ryan (0-03, 2f); D Reidy, C McGrath (1-00), C O’Connell (0-03, 2f)
Subs: C McInerney for Golden h.t., S Collins for Ryan 50, D McInerney for Flanagan 64.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; C Barrett, C O’Mahony, R Maher; S McGrath, C O’Brien (0-01f), T Stapleton (0-01); J Woodlock (0-02), S Bourke (0-01); D Maher (2-02), S Callanan (0-09, 7f), P Murphy; K Morris (0-02), C Kenny (1-00), M Heffernan (1-01)
Subs: R Gleeson (0-02) for Bourke 63, J O’Dwyer for Morris 63, S O’Brien (0-01) for Kenny 63, P Heffernan for McGrath 66.

Referee: J Sexton (Cork)

For the Record

Waterford Crystal Cup Senior Hurling 2014

Preliminary Round

Friday January 10^th

Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale Limerick 10-17 IT Tralee 0-9

Sunday January 12^th

WIT, Carriganore University of Limerick 1-11 Waterford 0-10

MacDonagh Park, Nenagh Tipperary 3-20 Limerick IT 0-5

Quarter-Finals
Sunday January 19^th

Austin Stack Park, Tralee Tipperary 2-16 Kerry 0-8

WIT, Carriganore University of Limerick 3-20 Waterford IT 1-20

Sixmilebridge Clare 1-14 Limerick 0-11

Mardyke, Cork UCC 3-28 Mary Immaculate Limerick 2-14

Semi-Finals

Sunday January 26^th

Sixmilebridge Clare 2-28 UCC 1-4

Sunday February 2^nd

Dr. Morris Park, Thurles Tipperary 2-30 University of Limerick 0-22

Final (Extra Time)

Friday February 7th

Gaelic Grounds Limerick Clare v Tipperary @ 7:30pm

Waterford Crystal Cup Senior Hurling – Useful Information

Saturday’s final between Tipperary and Clare will mark the fourth time in the last six years that they have met in the Waterford Crystal Cup Final. In 2009 at Ogonnolloe, Clare were successful on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-7 in front of an attendance of 1,237. In 2012 at Sixmilebridge, Tipperary secured the cup with a 1-21 to 2-12 victory. The winning score was repeated last year when Clare won by 1-21 to 1-13 at Semple Stadium.

2013 Waterford Crystal Cup Final on February 9^th at Semple Satidum – Clare 1-21 Tipperary 1-13

Scorers – Clare: C Ryan 0-9 (7f, 1 ’65′), T Kelly 0-5, S O’Donnell 1-1, S Morey, F Lynch 0-2 each, E Barrett, A O’Neill 0-1 each. Tipperary: E Kelly 0-6 (5f), P Maher 1-0, S Bourke, S Callanan (1f) 0-2, B O’Meara, J O’Brien, N McGrath (f) 0-1 each.

Clare: P Kelly; D O’Donovan, J McInerney, D McInerney; B Bugler, P Donnellan, P O’Connor; F Lynch (0-2), S Morey (0-2); C Ryan (0-9, 7f, 1 ‘65’), T Kelly (0-5), E Barrett (0-1); P Collins, A O’Neill (0-1), S O’Donnell (1-1).

Subs: P Duggan for Lynch (53), J Clancy for Collins (62), D O’Halloran for O’Donnell (64), L Markham for Barrett (66), D Honan for O’Neill (70+1).

Tipperary: B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, C O’Brien; J McLoughney, T Stapleton, S Hennessy; S McGrath, N McGrath (0-1,f); J Forde, E Kelly (0-6, 5f), P Maher (1-0); B O’Meara (0-1), S Bourke (0-2), S Callanan (0-2, 1f).

Subs: J O’Brien (0-1) for O’Meara (h-t), J Ryan for McLoughney (52), T Hammersley for Kelly (57), J Woodlock for Stapleton (62), J O’Neill for Curran (66 inj).

Referee Jer O’Connell (Cork)

2012 Waterford Crystal Cup Final on March 4th at Sixmilebridge – Tipperary 1-21 Clare 2-12

Tipperary: B Cummins (c); C O’Brien, J Coghlan, M Cahill; D Maher, C O’Mahony (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), S Maher; D Young, J Woodlock (0-5); G Ryan (0-2), N McGrath (0-4, 0-2 frees), A Ryan (0-1); J O’Neill (0-3), B O’Meara (1-0), T Hammersley (0-1)

Subs: S McGrath for A Ryan (48), E Kelly (0-2) for D Young (56), J O’Brien for J O’Neill (59).

Clare: D Tuohy; D O’Donovan, C Dillon, C Cooney; S Morey, J McInerney, E Barrett; N O’Connell (0-3 frees), P Donnellan (c) (0-3); C Morey (0-1), D Keane (1-1), F Lynch; J Clancy, C Ryan (0-4 frees), A Cunningham (1-0)

Subs: J Conlon, E Hayes for J Clancy and A Cunningham (62).

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

2009 Waterford Crystal Cup Final – January 25^th at Ogonolloe – Clare 1-12 Tipperary 1-7

Clare: P Brennan; G O’Grady, C Dillon, C McMahon; P Donnellan, G Quinn, C Plunkett; J Clancy, B Bugler (0-1); T Carmody (0-1), T Griffin (0-1), C Ryan (0-6, 0-4 frees); N Gilligan (0-1), A Markham (1-0), B Nugent (0-1)

Subs: D McMahon (0-1) for Nugent (35), P Vaughan for Bugler (39), M Hawes for O’Grady (60), J Conlon for Markham (63).

Tipperary: B Cummins; C O’Brien, D Fanning, P Curran; B Dunne, C O’Mahony, D Fitzgerald; J Woodlock, S Hennessy (0-3, 0-1 free); P Kerwick, H Maloney (0-2), L Corbett; N McGrath (0-1), P Maher (1-0), P Kelly.

Subs: J O’Brien (0-1) for Corbett (36), S Maher for Hennessy (49), W Ryan for Kerwick (49), P Bourke for Maloney (54).

Referee – Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

35 goals were scored in each of the 2012 and 2013 Waterford Crystal Cup competitions both over 11 games (an average of 3.2 goals per game). This contrasts with 23 goals in the 2011 competition over 10 games (an average of 2.3 goals per game). In the first 10 games in the 2014 competition, there were 31 goals scored (an average of 3.1 goals per game).

Since the Waterford Crystal Cup began in 2006, Clare (19 wins) and Tipperary (18 wins) have the most wins in the competition.

Tipperary hold the record for the longest winning streak in the Waterford Crystal Cup since the competition began under that guise in 2006 when they won 10 consecutive matches between 2007 and 2009.

Since the Waterford Crystal Cup began in 2006, there has been just 1 draw – the 2012 Limerick v Clare Quarter-Final after two periods of extra time.

The record of the Third Level Colleges in the Waterford Crystal Cup since 2006 is Won 24, Lost 51, a 32% success rate.

Clare are the only team who have won at least one game each year since the Waterford Crystal Cup competition began in 2006.

Clare and Tipperary Scorers 2014:

Clare (13 scorers – 2 games):

C Ryan 1-12; B Duggan 0-12; C O’Connell 1-3; D O’Halloran 1-1; J Conlan 0-3; P Donnellan 0-2; C McGrath 0-2; C McInerney 0-2; C Dillon 0-1; P Duggan 0-1; D Reidy 0-1; K Ryan 0-1; J Shanahan 0-1.

Tipperary (18 scorers – 3 games):

J O’Dwyer 1-12; E Kelly 1-8; M Cahill 1-4; S Callanan 1-3; C Kenny 1-3; K Morris 0-6; S Bourke 1-1; D Collins 0-4; L Corbett 1-0; R Gleeson 0-2; M Heffernan 0-2; N McGrath 0-2; S McGrath 0-2; C O’Riordan 0-2; K Bergin 0-1; B Maher 0-1, D Maher 0-1; R Maher 0-1.

Waterford Crystal Cup Senior Hurling Roll Of Honour

Tipperary (3) – 2007, 2008, 2012

Waterford (2) – 2010, 2011

Clare (2) – 2009, 2013

Limerick (1) – 2006