Waterford manfully sustained at least a flicker of a challenge for the first 35 minutes of this Munster Championship first round clash, trailing by five points at the half, but they were ultimately pulled apart by a combative Tipperary defence and the electric individual exploits of corner forward Declan Browne.

Browne whistled over nine points in all, five from play, and spent his Saturday evening jinking and weaving past Championship debutant Andy Hubbard, who stuck to his task when quitting must have seemed the easier option.

Although Michael Spillane and Peter Lambert initially spearheaded Tipperary's attack, Browne became the only option. In the second half, Tipperary left him in splendid isolation up-front and he came deep to collect ball before casually whipping over points from any angle that pleased him.

Tipperary's industrious full back line, personified by the dogged Liam Cronin, and a colossal midfield effort by the towering Derry Foley laid the foundation for an endless supply of quality ball which the home forwards enjoyed.

Waterford, in contrast, attempted to steam through a crowded midfield and defence and were forced into playing lateral passes, which the Tipperary defence were only too happy to cut out.

It was a torrid baptism for Joe Curran's young side, who were physically inferior to their opponents and suffered for ball winners. Their cause wasn't helped by the early retirement of midfielder Don McMahon, who left the field after 17 minutes with suspect ribs; his marker John Costello was sent off three minutes later for a crude challenge on substitute William Kavanagh. That dismissal was endemic of a patchy, foul-ridden first half, which also saw Waterford's Hubbard, George Welsh and Daniels booked.

Tipperary were never unduly affected by their reduced number; Micheal Spillane, initally, and then Sean Maher both deputised proficiently at centre-field while Waterford hauled Martin Power from full forward to the middle in an attempt to generate some possession. Power, the visitors' most impressive performer, did break his share of ball but more often than not Sheahan, Collum or Hahessy latched onto to it and initiated another Tipperary attack.

They fired five wides in a first half which saw them dominate the ball while Waterford made much more prudent use of what scraps came their way and stayed in touch through the accuracy of Power, who pointed all three of their first-half scores. Twice they came within a point of Tipperary and Philly Ryan was forced to parry a low strike by Kavanagh in the 26th minute.

Waterford did threaten to make a run early in the second half, when they were aided by a notable breeze. Power arced an acute point from just inside the right sideline to cut the deficit to four in the 36th minute and then both sides traded points before Waterford again fashioned a series of plays which led to three consecutive wides.

Then, in the 44th minute, Declan Browne latched onto a long Sheahan chip and turned inside Hubbard twice before firing over an audacious point.

The swagger in the move seemed to subdue Waterford and Tipperary set about closing up shop. Brendan Cummins drilled over a sideline, Browne added two more in the 48th and 50th minutes, leaving the score at 0-13 to 0-5. He then delighted the crowd with another flash of artistry, which left a high, angled ball thumping off the post for Peter Lambert to somehow screw wide. The crowd, estimated at around 2,000, were buzzing now and the home side were eager to please. Maher strode free to chip over another point and then James Williams, on the field for just four minutes, scorched unimpeded through the heart of Waterford's defence before nailing a shot past Tom Brennan to leave the scores at 1-16 to 0-5.

That Waterford summoned enough will to reply with late points from Liam Daniels and Martin Power offers much on their courage, but overall the 70 minutes gave them a harsh assessment of their worth. Tipperary's Colm Browne grimaced at the suggestion that his side were impressive, suggesting they needed to attach some prudence to possession, but he did concede that young Browne, still only 20, was quite a prospect.