Mark O'Brien goal the difference as Limerick beat favourites Tipp in Munster U20 hurling opener

Limerick beat favourites Tipperary. File picture: Eamon Ward

Munster U20HC Rd 1: Tipperary 0-17 Limerick 2-13 

A 58th minute goal from substitute Mark O’Brien earned Limerick a fully deserved victory over titleholders and favourites Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster U20 HC at FBD Semple Stadium on Tuesday.

A priceless away victory too for Evan Loftus’ side considering they will be on the road again for their next round against Waterford in a fortnight.

In front of an attendance of 2,768 the visitors, who only won one game in this competition last year, were by far the better team in a match that was level eight times (including 0-8 apiece at half-time) but their overall wide count of 11 to 3 could easily have derailed them, only for O’Brien’s late strike.

They showed immense character to come from 1-11 to 0-16 in arrears in the 53rd minute to win by two.

Tipperary were far too dependent on senior star Darragh McCarthy who finished with 11 points (four from play).

Limerick, with four seniors on their starting line-out, were up for the challenge straight from the off when midfielder Matthew Fitzgerald raced all the way to goal only to be denied by Podge O’Dwyer and the resultant 65 was arrowed over by Hugh Flanagan.

They would lead three-nil after six minutes through Fintan Fitzgerald and another Flanagan placed ball.

Tipperary, who had a handful of seniors, were slow to settle and only got off the mark through a splendid Conor Martin point from the right wing in the 10th minute. Cathal English and a McCarthy free drew them level approaching the end of the first quarter.

It would be nip and tuck for the remainder of the half.

Robert O’Farrell and a Flanagan free edged Limerick in front again. Adam Daly reduced the gap.

A brilliant set piece started by Darragh Langan to Ruairí O’Connor was rifled over the bar by Fintan Fitzgerald, 0-6 to 0-4 in favour of the Shannonsiders with eight minutes to go to the interval.

Brendan Cummins’ charges went ahead for the first time with points from Paddy McCormack, Darragh McCarthy and Adam Daly.

The tit-for-tat nature of the game continued with two lovely quick-fire points from Tipp’s Tadhg Boddy.

Senan Butler had a great chance of a green flag on 30 minutes only to see his effort smothered by John Murray, the 65 converted by McCarthy in the one minute of stoppage time to leave the score at 0-8 apiece.

Matthew Fitzgerald bagged a wonderful Limerick goal in the 34th minute for Limerick after another superb run from out the field, their confidence sky high.

Yet, midway through the half the home side put it up to them holding a narrow 0-13 to 1-9 advantage.

The game continued to ebb and flow, McCarthy leading the fight for Tipperary with eight of their second-half points.

With majors going abegging at either end, O’Brien’s precious goal left it 2-12 to 0-16.

Sam O’Farrell received a second yellow at the death and all Tipperary could do was match Flanagan’s sixth placed ball with a similar score from McCarthy.

Tipperary travel to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next week, four days before the same counties meet in the Division 1A league final at the Leeside venue.

Scorers for Tipperary: D McCarthy (0-11, 6f, 1 65), C Martin and A Daly (0-2 each), C English and P McCormack (0-1 each).

Scorers for Limerick: M Fitzgerald and M O’Brien (1-0 each), H Flanagan (0-6, 0-5f, 1 65), R O’Farrell, T Boddy and F Fitzgerald (0-2 each), D Scully (0-1).

TIPPERARY: E Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams); J Quinlan (Fethard), A O’Halloran (Carrick Swan), P O’Dwyer (Killenaule); A Ryan (Arravale Rovers), S O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg, Capt), J O’Callaghan (Portroe); P Phelan (Upperchurch Drombane), A Daly (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams); C English (Fr Sheehys), C Martin (Cappawhite), O O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs); D McCarthy (Toomevara), P McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), S Butler (Kilsheelan Kilcash).

Subs: R Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill) for S Butler (half-time), J Egan (Moycarkey Borris) for J O’Callaghan (36), C Foley (Borrisokane) for C Martin (57).

LIMERICK: F O’Brien (Bruree); J Murray (Patrickswell), S Casey (Bruff), D Scully (Dromin/Athlacca); E Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh), A O’Connell (Doon), D Langan (Monaleen); M Fitzgerald (Monaleen), J Finn (Na Piarsaigh); R O’Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), H Flanagan (Garryspillane), D Coughlan (Doon); T Boddy (Dromin/Athlacca), R O’Connor (Feenagh/Kilmeedy), F Fitzgerald (Mungret/St. Pauls, Capt).

Subs: C Bickford (Ahane) for E Brosnan (16-22 temp), D Ferland (Monaleen) for D Coughlan (40), M O’Brien (Mungret/St. Pauls) for R O’Connor (48), S Duff (Mungret/St. Paul’s) for J Finn (53), B Adams (Ballybrown) for T Boddy (57).

Referee: Ciarán O’Regan (Cork).