They started without over half of their All-Ireland winning team but victory still came easily for Tipperary at Croke Park where they streaked to a 16-point opening round Allianz Hurling League win.

Na Piarsaigh duo Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling proved their worth to Limerick with 1-8 between them as the Shannonsiders secured a first Allianz hurling league semi-final place in a decade.