Strong finish sees Limerick open season with win over All-Ireland champions Tipp

The result, which played out in front of a crowd of 1,628, means the All-Ireland champions cannot now progress to the decider.

Strong finish sees Limerick open season with win over All-Ireland champions Tipp

[team1]Limerick[/team1][score1]2-22[/score1][team2]Tipperary[/team2][score2]1-17[/score2][/score]

A final quarter surge by Limerick, which included a David Dempsey goal, brought an end to Tipperary’s involvement in the Co-op Superstores Munster hurling league.

Tipperary, who never led this contest beyond the opening minutes, had reduced the deficit to the minimum 12 minutes from home. No closer, though, would they come as Limerick sped into the distance with four unanswered points in as many minutes thanks to half-backs, Dan Morrissey and Paddy O’Loughlin, and a Seamus Flanagan pair.

Willie Connors and Jason Forde (free) subsequently brought the gap back to three, 1-18 to 1-15, but there followed the score - a goal from sub David Dempsey after Flanagan pounced on a defensive mistake - which condemned Tipperary to a second Munster hurling league defeat in the space of five days.

Tipperary did have an opportunity of a second goal in the closing stages, but Forde’s close-range free was kept out by Barry Hennessy, the keeper's third impressive save of a cold evening on Shannonside.

The result, which played out in front of a crowd of 1,628, means the All-Ireland champions cannot now progress to the decider. Limerick and Clare, with one win each, meet in Sixmilebridge on Sunday, January 5 to determine who from Group A progresses to the Munster league final.

Limerick, who outscored their opponents by 1-8 to 0-4 from the 58th minute onward, had earlier seen an eight-point lead wiped out as Tipperary registered 1-5 either side of half-time to level matters at 1-10 apiece in the 38th minute. The Treaty, who had just Richie English and Dan Morrissey in their team from the 15 who began the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny, hit four of the game’s next five points to reestablish their advantage. They went further clear as the finish line came into sight. The introduction of Tom Morrissey was certainly a key factor in their strong finishing burst.

The winners were 1-10 to 0-9 in front at the break, a lead which had, after 25 minutes, stood as large as eight points.

Limerick, though, would fail to score for the closing 12 minutes of the half, during which Tipperary reeled off four-in-a-row. Midfielder Michael Breen, one of the four players on show who started August’s All-Ireland final win, supplied the first of this quartet, with Forde then striking three frees in swift succession.

The visitors finished the half with their wide-count in double-digit territory, Paddy Cadell and John McGrath the only two Tipp hurlers from those wearing numbers five through 15 on their back who did not register a wide in the opening period. There was also a goal chance, struck by Paul Flynn, which Hennessy did well to repel.

Tipperary’s wastefulness was evident from the off, Liam Sheedy’s young charges racking up four wides inside the opening five minutes; 10 by the 31st minute.

The home side were far more clinical in front of the opposition posts. Their outstanding period, particularly where the scoreboard was concerned, arrived between the seventh and 18th minute, John Kiely’s troops posting 1-5 without reply to surge 1-6 to 0-2 clear.

David Reidy (free) and the lively Darren O’Connell sniped a pair of white flags before Adrian Breen, set up by O’Connell and Darragh O’Donovan, found the Tipperary net. Subsequent points from Flanagan and two Reidy placed-ball efforts crowned Limerick’s fine start to proceedings.

Limerick's David Reidy and Tipperary’s Paddy Cadell in action. Picture: Brian Arthur
Limerick's David Reidy and Tipperary’s Paddy Cadell in action. Picture: Brian Arthur

That lead did extend out to eight before Tipperary ate into this gap as the short whistle drew near. And although the Premier drew level early in the second period, crucially, they were never able to sneak their noses in front between there and the line.

You can watch back the Irish Examiner's live coverage below:

For mobile users who can't view the above stream, you can watch it on the Irish Examiner Sport Facebook page.

Scorers for Limerick: A Breen (1-5); D Reidy (0-6, 0-6 frees); S Flanagan (0-3); D Dempsey (1-0); D O’Connell T Morrissey (0-2 each); B Ryan, D Morrissey, P O’Loughlin, D O’Donovan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 sc); J McGrath (1-2); P Flynn (0-2); M Breen, M Kehoe, W Connors, J Cahill, C Darcy (0-1 eac).

Limerick: B Hennessy; A Costello, R English, T Condon; D Morrissey, B Nash, P O’Loughlin; R Connolly, R Hanley; D O’Donovan, D Reidy, C Boylan; A Breen, S Flanagan, D O’Connell.

Subs: D Dempsey for Connolly, T Morrissey for C Boylan (HT): B Ryan for O’Connell (47); B O’Grady for Condon (55); M Quinlan for O’Loughlin (63).

Tipperary: P Maher; J O’Dwyer, B McGrath, C Morgan; A Flynn, B Heffernan, R Byrne; M Breen, P Cadell; M Kehoe, J McGrath, W Connors; J Cahill, J Forde, P Flynn.

Subs: K O’Dwyer for J O’Dwyer (12 mins, inj); C Darcy for Cahill (53); J Ryan for Byrne (57); P Maher for Morgan (58); C Hammersley for Breen (69).

Referee: T Walsh (Waterford).

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College
Kildare v Louth - Allianz Football League Division 2 Cards to carry if there is extra-time in football finals
Donegal v Tyrone - Electric Ireland Ulster GAA Minor Football Championship Final Tyrone U20s edge Derry in dramatic finish after tactical battle
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited