Waterford - 1-11 Tipperary - 1-7:Waterford manager Denis Walsh had his first league victory since taking over 12 months ago when the home side recorded a deserved victory over Tipperary at Dungarvan yesterday. A John Coffey goal set up by John Hearne 30 seconds into the second half gave Waterford a five-point cushion after they led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

Waterford started well and scored three points in the opening nine minutes while Tipperary, without All Star Declan Browne, waited 12 minutes for their opening score. The visitors would have been further adrift at the break but for an excellent save by goalkeeper Philly Ryan from a Gary Hurney shot.

Tipperary trailed by 1-7 to 0-4 nine minutes into the second half when substitute Michael Webster reacted quickly when a Tony Doyle effort came back off the woodwork to send the rebound to the net. But Waterford responded with a succession of points to seal victory.

WATERFORD: D Lenane; J Sheehan, G Hayes, J O'Reilly; T Dunphy, E Rockett, R itchie Hennessey; K O'Keeffe (0-2), A Hubbert; Wayne Hennessey, E Walsh (0-4), J Coffey (1-2); G Hurney (0-2), J Hearne, J Hennessey. Subs: R Power (0-1) for W Hennessey, S Briggs for Dunphy, T Costello for R Hennessey.

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; S Maher, N Kelly, D Byrne; N Fitzgerald, D Fanning, P Hally (0-1); A Fitzgerald (0-1), F O'Callaghan; JP Looby (0-1), K Mulryan, B Hahessy; T Doyle (0-3), A Hanrahan, P Lambert (0-1). Subs: D Byrne for Lambert, B Hickey for Mulryan, M Webster for Hahessy.

Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).