Tipperary reach Munster minor final with tight Limerick win

Tipperary manager James Woodlock. Pic: INPHO/Ken Sutton

Limerick 0-16 Tipperary 2-13

For a second time in 24 hours, Tipperary qualified for a Munster final by defeating Limerick away from home. Goals from Rian McGrath and Ollie Roche helped them to a third straight victory at the minor hurling grade.

Limerick had bounced back from a home loss to Waterford to deservedly win away to Clare, while Tipperary had claimed victories over both Clare and Cork in the earlier rounds.

It was the blue and gold who started much the stronger, registering four points in five minutes. KJ Dunne, the elusive Conall Morrisson and Rian McGrath were on target before Ollie Roche notched from a free.

A 12th-minute penalty awarded to Tipp saw Conor Ryan black carded for felling Dunne. Ollie Roche’s effort was denied by Sam Collins.

Roche was denied by an exceptional save from Collins just a few minutes later, with Morrisson again on hand to float over the loose ball and push the gap out to four. Limerick had early scores from Shane Waters frees and an exquisite Eamon O’Sullivan effort from play.

James Woodlock’s charges had failed to register in the final ten minutes of the opening half as the men in green began to get on top, particularly in defence.

A James Finn free led to the games opening goal on 33 minutes. Failing to attack the dropping ball, Limerick allowed Rian McGrath time to gather and find the net.

Their second goal arrived on the three-quarter mark, Roche finally making the net ripple after a sequence of handpasses opened the Limerick defence. Daylight of eight points as the rain teemed down on Shannonside.

However, five in a row, including another from O’Sullivan and then Diarmuid Crowe, brought this to a three-point game before Sean Burke found a late score. Waters cut it to a goal once more but there was way through for an equalising goal.

Scorers for Limerick: S Waters 0-12 (0-10 frees, 0-1 65); E O’Sullivan 0-3; D Crowe 0-1 Scorers for Tipperary: O Roche 1-2 (0-2 frees); C Morrison 0-4; R McGrath 1-1; S Ryan (0-1 free); C Kennedy 0-2 each; KJ Dunne, S Burke 0-1 each.

Limerick: S Collins (Crecora/Mainister); R Colins (Adare), W Ryan (Murroe/Boher), S Mitchell (Knockainey); E Hennessy (Patrickswell), C Ryan (Monaleen), J O’Riordan (Bruff); X Nelligan (Kilmallock), J Roche (Blackrock); D Crowe (Doon), R Foley (Patrickswell), S Waters (Na Piarsaigh) (Capt); G O’Brien (Kilmallock), E O’Sullivan (Adare), R Horgan (Murroe/Boher).

Subs: C Burke (Dromcollogher/Broadford) for Horgan (40); D Long (Pallasgreen) for O’Brien (50); D O’Grady (Granagh Ballingarry) for Roche (50); J McCarthy (Ballybrown for Mitchell (60); C Butler (Patrickswell) for Nelligan (62).

Tipperary: E Connolly (Carrick Swan); C Ryan (Newport), D Groome (Borris-Ileigh), C Collins (Galtee Rovers, St. Pecaun’s) (Capt); O Kennedy (Newport), J Finn (Golden KIlfeacle), T McLaughlin (Cahir); S Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), H Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); C Kennedy (Clonulty Rossmore), C Morrisson (Moyle Rovers), É Tucker (Nenagh Éire Óg); O Roche (Newport), C Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole), Kj Dunne (Toomevara).

Subs: C Gantley (Cappawhite) for Tucker (44); S Burke (JK Brackens) for McGrath (51); J O’Meara (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone) for Healy (57).

Referee: P O’Mahoney (Waterford).