Evan sent triumph for Tipp

Tipperary 2-13 Limerick 0-18 (after extra time)

But what made this all the more heartbreaking was that the hosts had a catalogue of chances to defeat Tipperary in this marathon Guinness Munster SHC replay at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.

The heart of the losers’ challenge cannot be called into question in this extra-time epic. But their failure to transfer possession into scores must again be examined, dissected and criticised.

Extra-time substitute Evan Sweeney’s goal was crucial in determining the outcome, but that was only after superb play from their central defenders and some inspiring scores from Thomas Dunne on his 31st birthday helped set them up for a lucky but deserved victory.

When the home side had the initiative as the second period of extra time neared its conclusion, they lost three chances of an equaliser. The irony was that the unfortunate player Donal O’Grady, who missed two of them, was the player who had given them hope of at least an equaliser with two excellent points in the 85th and 86th minutes.

Afterwards a relieved Ken Hogan delighted in the fact that his team had again shown a level of courage which critics doubted was in them, that their “strength in depth” had sustained them all through and that once more his “unreplaceable” faith in Thomas Dunne had been vindicated.

And, like everyone else in the ground, he empathised with Limerick. “My heart goes out to them. We had to fight tooth and nail,” he commented.

Joe McKenna conceded that Limerick had chances to win the game, but would not fault anybody. “They gave everything they had to the end,” he said, echoing the view of his fellow selector Liam Lenihan that their players “had done the jersey proud.”

While Limerick stuck with the formation which had earned them a draw in Thurles, Tipperary made changes in position and personnel. The end result was that they were more competitive throughout the field and nowhere more consistent (apart from the concession of frees at critical times) than in defence.

Diarmuid Fitzgerald excelled at corner-back, but the real heroes were Philip Maher at centre-back and David Kennedy outside him. At the other end, Stephen Lucey was one of Limerick’s most effective players, at full-back.

Significantly, Tipperary captain Benny Dunne was to fare much better at midfield, while his brother Thomas was to show his class with four points from the half-forward line. His excellence was one of the key factors in getting them to a semi-final meeting with Clare on Sunday week.

After scores had been level for the third of five times in the 21st minute, Tipperary gained an important psychological advantage when substitute Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady produced the first goal of the game six minutes later. Limerick were too dependant on TJ Ryan’s free-taking to stay in touch.

They created plenty of openings in attack but were continually frustrated by Tipp’s blanket covering. It meant that they trailed at half-time by two points, 1-7 to 0-8.

Notably, Eoin Kelly had a greater involvement in the Tipp attack by playing out around the half-forward line, but again Damien Reale kept a tight rein on him.

On the other side, Mark Foley also saw much more of the play for Limerick, but like Eamonn Corcoran on the Tipp side (in the right corner), he might have had more to offer out in the half-back line.

The second half was even more closely contested, with Limerick displaying admirable character in coming back to draw the game after an opportunist Thomas Dunne point (made by substitute John Carroll) saw Tipp lead by two points by the 63rd minute. A few minutes later Corcoran came to Tipp’s rescue, taking the ball off the line after Donncha Sheehan stopped it from going wide.

With Limerick finishing the stronger, Donie Ryan had them level at the end of normal time and just before the final whistle, he was denied what seemed a definite free when he was tackled high. It left the final score 1-11 to 0-14.

The story of extra time revolved largely around Sweeney’s goal, which came three minutes after the re-start. Limited to two TJ Ryan frees - while Dunne and Eoin Kelly chipped in with a point each - Limerick trailed by three points at the break.

O’Grady gave them renewed hope with his two scores, while Tipperary failed to add to their total.

And, before O’Grady’s misses, midfield partner Paul O’Grady wasted a goal opportunity after making a strong run down the centre. It highlighted their lack of real scoring power on a night when eight players contributed a single point each.

A frustrated TJ Ryan summed up the mood best: “We got respect the last day. But it was a win we wanted.”

Scorers: Tipperary: E Kelly 0-7 (0-5 frees); G O’Grady and E Sweeney 1-0 each; T Dunne 0-4; P Kelly and L Corbett 0-1 each. Limerick: T.J Ryan 0-8 frees; D O’Grady 0-2; P Lawlor (free), N Moran, A O’Shaughnessy, C Fitzgerald, D Sheehan, P O’Grady, K Tobin and D Ryan 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; E Corcoran, P Maher, P Curran; C Morrissey, D Kennedy, D Fitzgerald; B Dunne (capt.), P Kelly; C Morrissey, T Dunne, J Devane; E Kelly, M Webster, L Corbett.

Subs: G O’Grady for Devane (24th minute); M O’Leary for Corbett (44th); J Carroll for Webster (58th); C O’Mahoney for B Dunne (62nd); E Sweeney for O’Grady (extra time); F Devaney for O’Leary (second period); P O’Brien for Carroll (85th); P Morrissey for O’Mahoney (90th).

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; M Foley, S Lucey, D Reale; 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 Fitzgerald and S O’Connor for O’Shaughnessy (48th minute); K Tobin for N Moran (61st); Moran for O’Connor (78th); O’Shaughnessy for K Tobin (79th).

Referee: A MacSuibhne (Dublin).

Attendance: 20,812.