Tipperary reach Munster U20 final on scoring difference with big win over Limerick

TIPP FINISH TOP: Robert O'Farrell, Limerick on the attack against Adam Ryan, Tipperary in the U20 Hurling Match. Pic: Brendan Gleeson.

Limerick 2-8 Tipperary 4-20

Tipperary qualified for the Munster U20 final on scoring difference as their large win over Limerick, as well as Cork’s narrow success over Clare, saw them finish top of the pile.

The Premier finish on six points and +20 on the scoring stakes, with Cork (+14) and Clare (+1) set to rematch in the semi-final.

Tipperary knew a win, and a large one at that was likely to do the trick and being able to call upon their rising senior stars at different times helped them achieve that. It was the scoring of David Costigan and Cormac Fitzpatrick though which shone brightest on a spectacular evening on Shannonside.

The scenario for Limerick was more straightforward. They were simply aiming to avoid the basement of this five-team group. A nine-point loss to Cork, a three-point reverse to the Banner was compounded by a single point defeat to Waterford seven days earlier. Evan Loftus’ side hit nineteen wides in that Gaelic Grounds loss, but they eclipsed that here, hitting 21.

David Costigan buried the opening goal inside three minutes. The Moycarkey Borris wing-forward received a handpass out wide, soloed close to goal before picking out the far corner.

Despite that and a superb Robbie Ryan point from the touchline, Brendan Cummins’ charges were struggling to shake off the early Limerick resistance. However once they opened up daylight, they were never in danger of losing out.

Robbie O’Farrell (both frees) and Cathal Dennehy accounted for Limerick’s early scores before Jamie Ormond put his side two up after winning a ball on the Limerick 45-meter line. Robbie Ryan was off target when looking for Tipp’s second major but the powerful Costigan raised a white flag to put daylight between the sides, 1-4 to 0-3 after fourteen.

Robbie O’Farrell’s first point from play was quickly eroded as Ormond found the net from close range after superb build up play from Ryan.

Costigan and then a Fitzpatrick free brought forward from dissent quickly ensured a Tipperary stranglehold which they wouldn’t relinquish.

By half-time it was 2-10 to 0-4, all against the wind for the Premier, as their support cheered over sideline scores from seniors Ormand and then Stefan Tobin.

A dozen half-time wides went along way to explaining the Limerick score – those, a few short and a Paddy McCormack save which denied O’Farrell a goal near the close of the half.

After a stale opening few minutes to the second half, a surging Charlie Ryan run saw him thunder an effort off the crossbar. Costigan profited, tapping home the rebound with keeper Alex Kearns stranded.

Dara Ferland returned the favour, plucking an O’Farrell delivery from the sky and burying beyond McCormack. They got a second green flag on 41 when Jack Cosgove, who hit the winner when this sides were minor, arrowed in off his hurley.

Oisin O’Donoghue was rolled in off the bench at the three-quarter mark, a luxury that Tipperary were able to enjoy. He was inches away from collecting for a goal but instead Fitzpatrick finished with aplomb to swell out the margin.

While the star O’Donoghue didn’t register any score, he won a couple of frees, which were vital in amassing the winning margin, particularly with Cork, at times, in danger of winning by a decent margin themselves.

Cummins and coach Fintan O’Connor echoed the mantra of next score, as his side ensured they bounced back from that late, late collapse at the hand of Clare.

They face an exciting wait until 13 May, when they will take aim at another underage crown.

Scorers for Limerick: R O’Farrell 0-4 (3fs); D Ferland 1-0; J Coughlan 0-2 (2f); C Dennehy, E Brosnan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: D Costigan 2-3; C Fitzpatrick 1-9 (8fs) J Ormond 1-3; S Cleary 0-2; R Ryan, S Tobin, E Doughan 0-1 each.

Limerick: A Kearns; J Murray, J Dwane, S Duff; J Cosgrove, E Richardson, J Coughlan; C Ryan, A O’Connell; J O’Connor, D Gleeson, K Begley; R O’Farrell, C Dennehy, E Brosnan.

Subs: D Ferland for Begley (28); O Crowley for Murray, M Hanly for O’Connell, P Kearney for Gleeson (all half-time); M Leo for C Ryan (59).

Tipperary: P McCormack; C O’Reilly, E Morris, D Ryan; A Ryan, E Murray, S Cleary; C Ryan, S Rowan; S Tobin, T Ryan, D Costigan; R Ryan, J Ormond, C Fitzpatrick.

Subs: E Doughan for Ryan (half-time); P Ryan for Rowan (37); O O’Donoghue for R Ryan (45); J Hayes for Ormond (48); J Donnellan Houlihan for A Ryan (51).

Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).