Tipperary should edge it over Waterford

Underage success should be good enough fillip for Tipp

Colin O’Riordan is one of the many talented young players brought through by Tipperary. Photograph: Cathatal Noonan/Inpho.
Colin O’Riordan is one of the many talented young players brought through by Tipperary. Photograph: Cathatal Noonan/Inpho.

MUNSTER SFC Quarter-final
Tipperary v Waterford
Semple Stadium Sunday, 3.30

The counties have been relatively rare protagonists and you have to go back 27 years to find Waterford's last victory.

Tipperary have been making their way in the football world this decade and the recent narrow defeat in the All-Ireland under-21 final re-emphasised that. They've also been playing away in a higher division of the league and have some high-quality players from recent successful underage teams, including the exceptional Colin O'Riordan, Steven O'Brien and Michael Quinlivan.

Waterford have been competitive in recent seasons, without revisiting the high point of a few years ago which brought promotion and their last championship win, and won the McGrath Cup at the beginning of the season. This year’s league was however poor in terms of outcomes.

Manager Tom McGlinchey is able to call on Liam Lawlor, formerly full back with the hurlers, who lines out at centre back.

THE LOWDOWN
Last meeting: 2003 Munster quarter-final, Tipperary 0-18, Waterford 1-12.
Odds: Tipperary 1/10, Waterford 15/2 and 14/1 the draw.
Injuries: None.
Suspension: None.
Just the ticket: €15 for stand and terrace. Under-16s free. Concession of €5 for students and senior citizens.
Verdict: Tipperary.
TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Paddy Codd (capt), Ciarán McDonald, Robbie Kiely; Séamus Kennedy, Peter Acheson, Alan Campbell; Steven O'Brien, George Hannigan; Colin O'Riordan, Philip Austin, Ger Mulhaire; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Brian Fox.
WATERFORD: Seán Barron; Dean Crowley, Thomas O'Gorman (capt), Shane Briggs; Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Liam Lawlor, Maurice O'Gorman; Tommy Prendergast, Michael O'Halloran; Michael Curry, Patrick Hurney, Paul Whyte; Mark Ferncombe, JJ Hutchinson, Joey Veale.
Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times