Another weekend, another monumental comeback from a Tipperary team that looked dead in the water at half-time. Facing up to a revitalised Waterford in their nominal 'home' ground of the Gaelic Grounds, Michael Ryan's men have reason to feel they rode their luck especially close this time.
Chasing what seemed a comfortable Waterford lead, Tipperary's second-half performance was a joy to behold; they made a game out of what appeared a done-deal for Derek McGrath's men.
However, with 10 minutes remaining and four-points separating the sides, Jason Forde's free caused all manner of chaos. What will now go down as an Austin Gleeson own-goal, the Waterford man was adjudged to have taken the ball over his own goal-line.
Incredible drama at the Gaelic Grounds!@TipperaryGAA right back in it after a goal is given from this Jason Forde free. Looks like the Umpire gave it! Over the line??#MSHC #GAA pic.twitter.com/bxlNNGQyfv
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 3, 2018
What now appears a horrendous mistake from Alan Kelly's linesman, the response to Waterford's great misfortune has been fierce.
Terrible refereeing here and no surprose with that eejit he bought to do umpire. A complete disgrace of officiating. Don’t expect to see him referring at this level again. #tipp #waterford
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) June 3, 2018
Mayo Footballers or Waterford hurlers more unlucky team!!!!
— Jackie Tyrrell (@MrJackieTee) June 3, 2018
By God😲 What a Incredable Game. Waterford were Robbed. NEVER Rule them out
— Buff Egan 🇺🇦 (@buff_egan) June 3, 2018
Waterford fans need to do an Offaly. Pitch protest.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) June 3, 2018
It benfitted tipp but it's wrong that club referees are not doing umpire at these games.
— Paddy Stapleton (@pasaint) June 3, 2018
Tipp will take the draw. Waterford better team. Probably out of our hands to get through now do. Alan Kelly would want to have a serious think about bringing them umpires again 🙈#MunsterGAA18
— Shane McGrath (@Shaneytweet) June 3, 2018
Speaking afterward, one of Waterford's top performers Pauric Mahony held an incredibly calm view of the whole incident; "That is sport. The umpires only have a second to make these decisions."
Mahony wasn't the only Waterford representative to show great restraint after such a terrible blow.
"If it is a mistake, it is a mistake. We move on." Derek McGrath is a class act.
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 3, 2018
Aside from the immense quality of their hurling today, the interviews with Pauric O’Mahony and manager Derek McGrath after the match were of phenomenal integrity and dignity. A special Manager and group of players. Fair play to Tipperary players for for their courage #watvtip
— Conor Cusack (@Conor14Cusack) June 3, 2018
Although Waterford will take some solace from a large portion of their performance today, the third draw of this round-robin series only serves to enhance the difficulty in predicting who will now do what.
With two games to come in the next two weeks, Waterford will likely need wins against Limerick and Cork to have any chance of progressing.
For Tipperary, three points from as many games leaves them in need of a win against Clare in Thurles to make their summer last beyond the provincial battle.
In the aftermath of this fiercely contested battle, the referee required assistance from the pitch after being confronted by disgruntled fans.
'The Waterford players and supporters not at all happy' - Controversy at the Gaelic Grounds as Waterford v Tipp ends in a draw #rtegaa #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/ptZ4SfOPYE
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 3, 2018
