Important Wins for Tipperary

Munster SFC Quarter Final:

Waterford 1-07; Tipperary 1-15

Munster JFC Quarter Final:

Waterford 0-15; Tipperary 0-16 (AET)

In yesterday's games, played at Dan Fraher field in Dungarvan, Tipperary trailed by 3 points with 10 minutes to go in the junior game but managed to draw level at full-time. They went on to squeeze a win by the minimum after extra time.

Waterford started strongly in the senior game and had three points on the board before Tipperary got off the mark. The influence of George Hannigan, making a welcome return after injury, was very important. He contributed some fine points from distance. The skillful Michael Quinlivan, at full-forward, put in his usual effective shift.

These victories are important. In recent years, we have made great progress at under-age level in restoring Gaelic Football to it's rightful place. This is down to the work of true-blue Tipperary people in the face of an anti-Gaelic Football mentality that is still prominent within the county. I am referring particularly to the types who will trawl their rubbish in local newspapers but will quickly absent themselves when the hurlers are going through a bad spell. I have had ample experience of this, having supported Tipperary teams, playing both the big and small ball, for more than 60 years.

The Tipperary football management faced great difficulties this year with up to 11 players unavailable because of a pernicious edict that does not allow players to play both Gaelic Codes for their county. This was compounded by absences due to injury and emigration. Waterford have always had fine Gaelic footballers, with club competition of a high standard. They also face many difficulties similar to Tipperary. I wish them well.