Tipperary, with nine senior panellists in their team, just held on for victory over Waterford in a Munster semi-final clash which ended in pulsating fashion before a 6,000 attendance at Walsh Park last night. Tipperary led by 3-4 to 0-8 at the interval and stretched the advantage to four clear goals eight minutes into the second half. It seemed all over at that stage, but Waterford almost turned the match around with a thrilling fight back, highlighted by two Ken McGrath goals from 30 metre frees.

The tension was almost unbearable as he lined up to another free a little further in three minutes into injury-time, but his blockbuster was turned around the post for a fruitless 65.

All Star footballer Declan Browne showed his predatory instincts on the hurling field with a three-goal contribution, while Toomevara's Paddy O'Brien chipped in with 1-6 to Tipperary's win.

TIPPERARY: D Young; W Hickey, F Heaney, P Maher; T Costello, J Carroll, D Fahey; M Ryan, W Maher; P O'Brien (1-6), P Kelly 0-2, J Keane; M Kennedy, E O'Neill 0-2, D Browne 3-1. Subs: R Flannery for Ryan, G O'Grady for Kennedy and H Flannery for Costello.

WATERFORD: B Landers; A Kirwan 0- 1, G Cullinane, J O'Donovan; S Curley, V O'Shea, S McCarthy; E Murphy, P Hammond; P Fitzgerald 0-2, S Prendergast 0-2, K McGrath 2-7; N Curran 0-1, N Power 0-1 E Bennett 0-1. Subs: R Rice for McCarthy, N Jacob for Curran.

Referee: W Sexton (Limerick).