Limerick and Tipp pounce on weaknesses
Sadly this game was over at half-time. Limerick looked sharper and hungrier from the opening whistle and didn’t look to have suffered from their lay-off since the Munster final. They played with the aid of a fresh breeze and when Shane Dowling knocked in their third goal just before half time the contest was over. Limerick’s midfield and half forwards were too pacy for their Wexford counterparts who didn’t have the same energetic enthusiasm as they displayed in the last few weekends. Limerick scored 3-15 in this half as well as shooting 10 wides. The latter stat will concern manager TJ Ryan but he will be more than pleased with this comprehensive victory as the Treaty side will take a great deal of confidence from this win.
Wexford needed to get everything right from the start of this game to win. Podge Doran was wide in the first minute after a nice move put him into space. He then failed to take a good goal chance on 14 minutes when he might have taken it on another five metres while free-taker Paul Morris missed an easy chance. These misses drained the team of the early confidence they enjoyed in previous matches. Dangerous full-forward Conor McDonald played inside for almost 30 minutes yet not one ball was played into him in that time. Liam Óg Mc Govern played directly in front of him 30 metres from goal. This barred the path to the full forward as Limerick’s Seamus Hickey completely dominated against the Wexford speedster. Hickey was immense although with one standout moment. He won a great ball in the air, transferred intelligently to James Ryan who hit an inspirational point on 24 minutes. Jack Guiney, corner forward on the programme operated out the field, drawing Limerick corner back Tom Condon with him. But Condon is very comfortable operating in space and he won this battle, driving his side on and providing opportunities for Shane Dowling and the other forwards to show their skills.
From the outset the Limerick defence was on top, Paul Browne and the aforementioned Ryan ruled midfield while Shane Dowling and Graeme Mulcahy benefited from the wind-assisted puck outs that caused huge problems for Wexford’s half backs. David Breen was particularly prominent on the right wing of the attack in general play and under puckouts his pace and forceful running exposed the left flank of the Wexford defence, especially for the first goal. Andrew Shore might have been moved across from the other wing to police the dangerous Breen but in the final analysis it would hardly have altered the result. This was simply a bridge too far for Liam Dunne’s brave men.
Tipperary fans were apprehensive before the game, fearful that Dublin would have one last kick in them that could cause them trouble in Thurles. It didn’t materialise. Tipperary won the toss and played with the breeze. From the outset Noel McGrath ghosted between the full forward and half-forward line dragging his delegated marker Stephen Hiney with him, leaving space in front of Seamus Callanan, Lar Corbett and John O’Dwyer.
Tipperary dominated the puckouts in the opening quarter, providing a platform for their forwards that they seized on enthusiastically. All of Tipperary’s forwards had scored from play by half time as they enjoyed a seven point lead. Dublin were never out of the game in the first half but their option-taking and passing was short of that vital sharpness that their opponents had in abundance. They also added to their problems by conceding some easy frees, punished on each occasion by sharpshooter Callanan.
Turning to play with the breeze Dublin needed to up the pace. However, it took them five minutes to register their first score. Dublin left Conal Keaney on the wing, policed by Pádraic Maher, but perhaps a move to the edge of the square may have caused the Tipp defence more problems. But quite simply, Tipp had too much craft. Dublin tried three men in midfield but it was Tipp that benefited with James Woodlock careering through from this sector setting up scores time and again without any challenge.
One of Dublin’s main problem areas over the years has been their lack of a genuine hit man. This type of player cannot be manufactured. Some young talented hurlers opted for football, denying Anthony Daly of some much needed talent in attack. In contrast Tipperary’s forwards are moving well. Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher was superb and when he goes well Tipp go well. Their midfield was industrious while their defence was comfortable despite the absence of Mickey Cahill. John O’Dwyer took his goals with aplomb which pushed Tipperary out of sight rather than finishing the game as a contest.
It was all over once Dublin failed to convert that penalty chance with 20 minutes remaining.
