Limerick celebrations continue as minors claim Munster glory

Seven days after their All-Ireland senior victory, the Treaty conveyor belt keeps on rolling.

Limerick's Tomás Lynch, Joseph Fitzgerald and Ned Quinn celebrate after the final whistle. Picture: INPHO/Ken Sutton

Munster MHC final: Limerick 2-22 Tipperary 0-25 AET

Another day of celebration for Limerick hurling, as the defending champions claimed back-to-back Electric Ireland Munster MHC titles at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Seven days after their All-Ireland senior victory, the conveyor belt keeps on rolling.

Appearing in their seventh final in eight years, this latest win came after surviving a mammoth battle with Tipperary, while also securing their ninth title overall.

Tipperary, who were dealt a huge blow at the end of the first half losing their goalkeeper and full-back to injury, battled bravely and it was their sub Kenny Lee who tied proceedings at the end of normal time, 2-14 to 0-20.

The hosts came good in the first period of extra-time when brilliantly led by their captain Adam English they outscored Tipperary seven points to two.

They maintained that dominance to run out victors by three points in the end.

There was one change to the Limerick team that defeated Cork in the semi-final with Liam Dennehy replacing the injured Dylan Lynch. They were also able to call on the experienced English, Ronan Lyons, Liam Lynch, Patrick O’Donovan and Ethan Hurley who all featured in last year’s provincial victory over Clare.

Two changes were made to the Tipperary side that overcame Waterford in their penultimate round - David Fogarty and Philly Hayes replacing Stephen Ferncombe and Jamie Duncan (injured).

Tipperary opened up a three-point gap after six minutes courtesy of free-taker Jack Leamy (2) and Sean Kenneally. Limerick had to wait until the seventh minute for Shane O’Brien to start their scoring.

Ciaran McCormack of Tipperary dejected after the extra-time defeat. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

They worked their way back into contention and by the end of the first quarter, they drew level through John Kirby. A point from O’Brien followed, and then came the crucial score of the half when Patrick O’Donovan rounded his marker to fire to the net, 1-5 to 0-4 on 17 minutes.

In spite of missing a couple of easy frees, the Premier County hit back, outscoring their opponents three points to one, but their rhythm was upset when they lost their goalkeeper Jason O’Dwyer to injury after a collision with his own full-back Robert Doyle.

Doyle, himself, had to leave the field before half-time, feeling the effects of the clash.

English and Liam Lynch (2) swapped points with Sean Kenneally, Leamy and Peter McGarry (65) to leave the half-time score, 1-9 to 0-10 in Limerick’s favour.

Limerick corner-back Ronan Lyons doing well to avert a goal strike that resulted in McGarry’s 65.

Limerick maintained the upper hand at the start of the second-half through three Lynch frees. However, Tipperary produced a brilliant five minutes before the water-break to take the lead by the minimum with scores from David Fogarty (2), Leamy (2) and a real beauty from Darragh Stakelum, 0-16 to 1-12.

The scores dried up somewhat after the water-break, significantly though Tipperary kept their noses in front through wing-back Luke Shanahan.

Limerick's Adam English lifts the trophy at the end of the game. Picture: INPHO/Ken Sutton

Not finished yet, Limerick pounced for a second goal when English set up sub Eoin Harmon and he made no mistake, 2-13 to 0-18, and three minutes of regulation remaining.

In the two minutes plus of stoppage, it was another sub, this time Kenny Lee who pointed. Deadlock, 2-14 to 0-20.

Limerick recorded double the amount of wides as Tipperary (10-5).

The first period of extra-time saw Limerick, spearheaded by English, move 2-21 to 0-22 in front.

In the second period, with players going down with cramp, they held out for the victory.

Game in 60 seconds

IT MATTERED: Home advantage (Limerick won the toss) was a help. The strength in depth of their evolving panel. Eoin Harmon’s goal testament. Adam Fitzgerald was introduced and he wasn’t on the match-day 24 for the semi-final.

CAN'T IGNORE: Forty-nine scores on a heavy pitch five days before Christmas.

GOOD DAY: Good week for Limerick hurling in senior and minor. Good two years for Diarmuid Mullins and his management team.

BAD DAY: The unfortunate injuries to Jason O’Dwyer and Robert Doyle before half-time seriously disrupted Tipperary’s plans.

SIDELINE SMARTS: This game could have gone either way. Limerick’s showed composure and that is what won it in the end. They had five of last season’s winning team on their starting 15.

BEST ON SHOW: Limerick captain Adam English – one of those five players from last year – showed strong leadership in extra-time and scored five points from play overall.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Decision-making is not easy in winter conditions. At the end of regulation, Tipperary argued that sub Stephen Ferncombe scored a winning point but play was called back judging him to have gone over the sideline.

WHERE NEXT: All-Ireland semi-final against Galway in early January.

Scorers for Limerick: L Lynch (0-10 frees), A English (0-5), P O’Donovan (1-1), S O’Brien (0-4), E Harmon (1-0), J Keating and J Kirby (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: J Leamy (0-10 frees), P McGarry (0-4, 0-3 65s), D Fogarty (0-3), T Cahill, L Shanahan and S Kenneally (0-2 each), D Stakelum and K Lee (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: T Lynch (Doon); J Fitzgerald (Monaleen), V Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), R Lyons (Monaleen); B Molyneaux (Mungret-St Pauls), E Hurley (Newcastle West), S Whelan (Cappamore); J Kirby (Patrickswell), B Duff (Mungret-St Pauls); A English (Doon, Capt), L Lynch (Mungret-St Pauls), S O’Brien (Kilmallock); L O’Connor (Ballybrown), P O’Donovan (Effin), L Dennehy (Glenroe).

Subs: S O’Neill (Blackrock) for L Dennehy (half-time), E Harmon (Patrickswell) for L O’Connor (53), J Keating (Bruff) for L Lynch (60), L Lynch for S O’Neill (61 et), P Finn (Bruff) for B Molyneaux (75), A Fitzgerald (Templeglantine) for J Kirby (76), N Quinn (Ballybrown) for V Harrington (79).

TIPPERARY: J O’Dwyer (Clonoulty-Rossmore); D Slattery (Clonoulty-Rossmore), R Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore), P Hayes (Durlas Óg); C Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs), M Corcoran (Silvermines, Capt), L Shanahan (Upperchurch-Drombane); D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), P McGarry (St Mary’s); C McKelvey (Silvermines), C McCormack (Loughmore-Castleiney), J Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle); S Kenneally (Moneygall), T Cahill (Drom-Inch), D Fogarty (Holycross-Ballycahill).

Subs: D O’Grady (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) for J O’Dwyer (28 inj), M Fitzpatrick (Drom-Inch) for R Doyle (35 inj), K Lee (Roscrea) for C McKelvey (41), S Ferncombe (Clonoulty-Rossmore) for T Cahill (50), E Ryan (Borris-Ileigh) for C McCormack (53), P Ryan (Upperchurh-Drombane) for D Stakelum (61 inj et), T Cahill for E Ryan (74), J Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill) for D Slattery (75 inj).

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare).