Kerry and Tipperary book McGrath Cup final berths

Kerry had a comfortable passage through to next weekend’s McGrath Cup final as they beat Limerick 3-17 to 1-11 at Fitzgerald Stadium.

James O’Donoghue top scored for the Kingdom with 2-4 in a game that saw Bryan Sheehan and Aidan O’Mahony make their returns to action.

However, a hamstring injury picked up by Darran O’Sullivan will concern Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice ahead of the Allianz League campaign.

O’Sullivan and O’Donoghue both netted late in the first half as Limerick fell 2-7 to 0-6 behind by the break.

The Shannonsiders reduced the margin to a goal as Darragh Treacy raised a green flag and Ian Ryan popped over a point.

But O’Donoghue’s second goal and three points from Barry John Keane steadied Kerry who eased home in the end.

They will be away to Tipperary in the final of the early season Munster competition, following the Premier County’s 1-12 to 2-8 extra-time defeat of Waterford at Sean Treacy Park.

Tony Grey and Paul Whyte got the visitors off the mark early on but Tipp found their rhythm towards the end of the first half, moving into a 0-4 to 0-3 lead.

Garry Hurney and Barry Grogan exchanged points on the resumption and a Whyte goal edged the Déise into a 1-6 to 0-8 advantage.

The sides battled on and ended normal time tied at 1-7 to 0-10. Waterford mustered a second goal in the first period of extra-time, but Tipp produced the stronger finish with Grogan netting a crucial goal.