Lawlor and Keane have points to prove as Tipp cruise to Munster win

Tipperary 0-19 Limerick 1-12

The Tipperary full-forward contributed nine of his side’s points tally, but he was overshadowed by his opposite number Mark Keane, who scored 1-8 for Limerick.

In a game that won’t be remembered for any great excitement, last year’s beaten finalists were always going to win after they led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break and turned to play with the wind to their backs.

Limerick made the early running and former senior Mark Keane gave them a two-point lead in the opening three minutes, scoring from a 30-metre free and a 65.

Keane, a member of the three-in-a -row All-Ireland winning U21 teams, was easily Limerick’s best forward, and his accuracy from placed balls had them 0-3 to 0-1 in front after 10 minutes.

Despite the fact that both teams had a liberal sprinkling of former U21 and senior players, the standard of play were extremely poor, and in the sweltering heat the game hardly raised a cheer among both sets of supporters.

Tipp’s hurling was that bit crisper, particularly in attack. They were level after 20 minutes, and only a magnificent save by Limerick ‘keeper Shane Mulqueen denied Shane Stapleton a goal as the home side began to take control.

Stapleton, who was surprisingly substituted in the second half, gave Tipp the lead they never lost.

Limerick were grateful for the excellence of centre back Tom McLoughlin, but it was up front where most of their problems lay and only Mark Keane posed any real threat.

Keane had all but one of his side’s first-half points, Maurice Bodie scoring the fifth just before the break which left Tipp in front 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle.

Tipp maintained their improvement into the second half with three points in a row, two by Pat Lawlor, and in the space of three minutes, led by double scores, 0-10 to 0-5.

Limerick introduced Gearoid O’Leary to their attack and he improved matters in that area but it was Keane who continued to score, and he landed three points on the trot from frees, which left the home side 0-13 to 0-8 in front at the three quarter stage.

Despite losing corner back and former senior Paudie Reale to an injury, Limerick continued to press and when Keane drove a 20-metre free powerfully to the Tipp net in the 57th minute, there was a slight glimmer of hope.

It wasn’t to be however, and Tipp, with Ronan O’Brien and Pat Lawlor giving the Limerick defence a torrid time, finished with two Lawlor points to run out comfortable winners.

Scorers: Tipperary: P Lawlor 0-9 (0-5 frees); R O’Brien 0-4; S Stapleton 0-2; W Keogh, S Everard, T Slevin, S Sweeney 0-1 each. Limerick: M Keane 1-8 (1-5 frees, 0-1 65); M Bodie 0-3 G O’Leary 0-1.

TIPPERARY: A Cooney; J Moran, B Lawlor, M Phelan; C O’Brien, JB McCarthy, CV Everard; S McGrath, T Slevin; S Stapleton, A Fitzgerald, W Keogh; S Everard, P Lawlor, R O’Brien. Subs: S Sweeney for S Stapleton; H Coughlan for Slevin.

LIMERICK: S Mulqueen; M Keane, F Moloney, P Reale; B Coffey, T McLoughlin, P Carey; R Donovan, P Kennedy; J Lynch, M Keane, M Bodie; P Neenan, T O’Connor, W Morrissey. Subs G O’Leary for Kennedy; L Murphy for Reale; O Kennedy for Lynch; D Clancy for Morrissey.

Referee: A Heagney (Clare).