Tipp thankful for 'Red' redemption

Tipperary 2-14 Limerick 2-14

In the end, they needed midfielder Paul O'Grady's point two and a half minutes into injury time to save them from defeat, but it was the very least they deserved from a performance which did hurlers and management proud.

Tipperary were blessed to get a draw. They struggled for long periods and in the end it was a creditable show of character which saved them, although wing-forward John Devane almost won the game with a goal 45 seconds into injury time.

Tipp were promising in the opening quarter when Limerick were weak at half-forward and didn't threaten much.

But the game changed significantly after an opportunist goal from Donncha Sheehan in the 20th minute.

From the opening minutes, Limerick wing-back Peter Lawlor lay down a marker and contributed hugely over the course of the game.

On the other hand, Stephen Lucey, in the unfamiliar surroundings of the right corner, was slow to settle against Lar Corbett, and team captain Ollie Moran outside him wasn't very prominent either.

However, both players were to achieve a significant improvement once the team had got over its early nerves.

TJ Ryan helped keep Limerick in touch with his expert-free taking and later in general play.

He shared equal billing with Lawlor and outstanding centre-back Brian Geary for the man-of-the-match accolade which, considering he had spent the last three seasons at full-back, was all the more to his credit.

Limerick had hit five wides before TJ Ryan scored from play, and then came Sheehan's goal as a result of good positioning to finish an Andrew O'Shaughnessy shot which Brendan Cummins did well to stop.

The goal inspired Limerick and saw them dictate the game all the way to the interval.

Ollie Moran was seen at his best, covering well and supporting the attack when he could, while Donal O'Grady was doing best of the four midfielders (after Paul Kelly had started well for Tipp).

However, Brian Geary was emerging as the most influential member of the defence and his control down the centre was to have the added advantage of further limiting the flow of ball to Eoin Kelly.

It was also significant that Limerick improved considerably at half-forward through Andrew O'Shaughnessy, switched to the right wing, and Niall Moran.

Eamonn Corcoran was below his best and David Kennedy lost ground after a bright opening, while inside, TJ Ryan troubled Philip Maher, who was still one of Tipp's best players, and both Donie Ryan and Sheehan regularly created openings in the corners.

At the other end, the Tipp management moved several players around in a bid to revitalise the attack, but while Eoin Kelly was a bit more involved, only John Devane of the three half -forwards showed, and that was quite limited after he went to the centre, where Geary's dominance was unchallenged. At the break, it was 1-7 to 0-8 for Limerick.

They stretched their lead to five points within three minutes of the second half when Donie Ryan was held by Paul Curran as he headed goalwards. His brother TJ took the penalty and scored with a powerful shot.

Tipperary brought in 'Redser' O'Grady at full-forward in his first outing in three years, and after eight minutes former captain Thomas Dunne was introduced for his brother in the left corner. However, apart from two Paul Kelly pointed frees, there was no appreciable improvement.

In contrast, Limerick were hurling with increased confidence.

The game changed dramatically after O'Grady goaled in the 53rd minute, which was just reward for his efforts and the defiant play of the backs and the two midfielders.

Thomas Dunne scored from near half-way and when Eoin Kelly (now at centre-forward) put another ball over from 70 yards, Tipperary were level.

Twice more, between the 58th and 65th minutes, scores were tied as the game entered its most serious phase.

Tipperary fell behind to a point from substitute Pat Tobin in the 66th minute, and he had another two minutes later when he caught corner-back Martin Maher out of position.

That was the way the game seemed likely to conclude until Devane goaled from a Paul Kelly sideline cut to give Tipp an unexpected lead.

But Limerick were not to be denied and O'Grady won them a deserved draw two and a half minutes into injury time. Respectability at last and the promise of further progress.

Referee Diarmuid Kirwan applied the rules strictly, which meant he was consistent in penalising players for yellow-card offences, even when at times it seemed a bit severe.

Scorers: Tipperary: E Kelly 0-7 (0-5 frees); G O'Grady and J Devane 1-0 each; P Kelly 0-4 frees; C Morrissey, L Corbett and T Dunne 0-1 each. Limerick: TJ Ryan 1-7 (1-5 frees); D Sheehan 1-0; N Moran 0-3; P Tobin 0-2; C Fitzgerald and P O'Grady 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; M Maher, P Maher, P Curran; D Fanning, D Kennedy, E Corcoran; C Morrissey, P Kelly; J Devane, F Devanney, B Dunne (capt.); P O'Brien, E Kelly, L Corbett.

Subs: G O'Grady for Devanney (second half); T Dunne for B Dunne (43rd); D Fitzgerald for Corcoran (62nd); M Webster for Morrissey (66th); D Egan for O'Brien (71st).

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; S Lucey, D Reale, M Foley; O Moran (capt.),B Geary, P Lawlor; P O'Grady, D O'Grady; C Fitzgerald, N Moran, A O'Shaughnessy; D Ryan, T.J Ryan, D Sheehan.

Subs: P Tobin for Sheehan (61st minute); M Cahill for Fitzgerald (72nd).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).