TIPPERARY will play Waterford on July 10, in the Munster Senior Hurling final having defeated Limerick 3-12 to 1-16 at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Limerick will now enter the qualifiers for yet another year. Tipperary played nearly an hour with 14 men following John O’Dwyer’s sending off for striking Richie English after just 14 minutes.
The first half, which ended 3-5 to 0-11 in Tipperary’s favour, was a strange 35 minutes of hurling. Limerick took the lead with an opening free from Shane Dowling. Tipperary however, flew into a 2-1 to 0-3 lead, with two goals from impressive Michael Breen in midfield.
With John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer sent off after 14 minutes, many would have expected for Limerick to romp away from their hosts. However, naivety at the back for Limerick once more allowed Tipperary to score a third goal, this time through full forward Seamus Callanan.
Shane Dowling’s six points, five from frees, kept Limerick in the game, however even with their man advantage, they never lead again in the opening period.
The second half was a blue and gold wave of scoring as Limerick struggled to take advantage of their extra man, seeming almost bereft of ideas in attack. Scoring 1-5 to Tipperary’s six points in the second half meant Limerick chased the game despite their numerical advantage.
Limerick fans, many leaving the stadium early, will feel this defeat harder than most, having seemed like they could cause a surprise a secure victory at hurling HQ.
Limerick: N Quaid, T Condon, D Morrissey, R English, D Byrnes, G O’Mahony, S Hickey, J Ryan (0-1), P Browne, G Hegarthy (0-1), S Dowling (0-9, 8 free), B Nash (0-1), G Mulcahy, D Hannon (0-2), C Lynch (0-1).
Subs: T Morrissey (1-0) for J Ryan (47), K Downes for B Nash (54), J Fitzgibbon (0-1) for G Hegarthy (58)
Tipperary: D Gleeson, C Barrett, J Barry, M Cahill, S Kennedy, R Maher, Padraic Maher (0-1), B Maher, M Breen (2-1), D Mc Cormack, Pat Maher, N Mc Grath (0-3), J O’Dwyer, S Callanan (1-6, 3 free, 2 65), J Mc Grath (0-1).
Subs: N O’Meara for D Mc Cormack (60), D Maher for R Maher (63), J Forde for Patrick Maher (69), K Bergin for B Maher (71), D Quinn for M Breen (71)
Referee: James Mc Grath – Westmeath.
John O’Dwyer – Sent off (14)
