Last-Gasp Kevin Mahony Goal Earns Dramatic Draw for Waterford Against Tipperary

Waterford produced a remarkable comeback to secure a 3-24 to 1-30 draw with Tipperary in a Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash at Walsh Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Trailing by 11 points at half-time and three points deep into injury time, Waterford snatched a lifeline when Kevin Mahony reacted quickest to a long delivery from Billy Nolan, burying the equaliser past Rhys Shelly in the fifth minute of added time.

The result leaves both teams on one point each from their opening two games in the Munster SHC round-robin stage, with Cork leading the table on four points after two wins.

Tipperary Dominate First Half Before Waterford Fightback

All-Ireland champions Tipperary began the game in cruise control, building a 1-18 to 1-7 lead by half-time after dominating the opening 35 minutes. However, the second half witnessed a complete turnaround as Waterford, inspired by Stephen Bennett’s 1-10 contribution, launched a ferocious comeback.

Bennett, who had endured a hard opening period marked by uncharacteristic errors, turned his performance around after the break. Richie Hogan later summed up Bennett’s display on GAA+, stating: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man play so bad and so good in the same game… he grafted and grafted… it’s a massive sign of his character.”

Waterford’s resilience saw them reduce the deficit to three points entering injury time, setting the stage for Mahony’s dramatic intervention.

Mahony’s Late Heroics Seal Point for Waterford

With the game seemingly slipping away, Billy Nolan launched a long ball into the Tipperary square. Kevin Mahony, showing sharp anticipation, reacted quickest to the loose ball and drove it low past Rhys Shelly to level the scores at 3-24 to 1-30.

The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Waterford players and supporters, capping a stunning reversal of fortune. Malachy Clerkin described the finish as “incredible drama in Walsh Park,” noting that Waterford “came back from 11 points down to grab a draw with a goal from Kevin Mahony in the fifth minute of injury-time.”

Munster SHC Standings After Round Two

Following the results from Sunday’s games, the Munster Senior Hurling Championship table stands as follows:

• Cork – Played 2, 4 points
• Clare – Played 1, 2 points
• Tipperary – Played 2, 1 point
• Waterford – Played 2, 1 point
• Limerick – Played 1, 0 points

Cork secured their second win with a 2-22 to 1-23 victory over Limerick earlier in the day, while Clare and Limerick have played only one game each so far.

Other Championship Results from April 26, 2026

Elsewhere in Gaelic Games action on Sunday:

• In the Connacht SFC semi-final, Mayo lost to Roscommon 1-18 to 2-25.
• In the Ulster SFC quarter-final, Donegal were shocked by Down 1-19 to 3-21.
• In the Leinster SHC, Dublin defeated Kildare 3-24 to 1-19, while Galway edged Offaly 2-26 to 1-18.

Key Takeaways

• Kevin Mahony’s injury-time goal rescued a point for Waterford after a monumental second-half fightback.
• Stephen Bennett finished with 1-10, overcoming a shaky start to inspire Waterford’s comeback.
• The draw leaves Tipperary and Waterford level on one point each in the Munster SHC, with Cork leading the group.
• Down caused a major upset by defeating Donegal in the Ulster SFC quarter-final.

Waterford’s never-say-die attitude earned them a deserved point against the All-Ireland champions, setting up an intriguing battle for qualification from the Munster SHC group stage.