LIMERICK will face Waterford in the Munster Hurling Final in two weeks time following a superb 3-23 to 2-17 win over the All Ireland Champions at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The absolutely awful conditions would not have been evident by the start to the game as Limerick edged into a 2 point lead through a free from Diarmaid Byrnes and a Gearoid Hegarty point from play.
Playing into a significant gale, frees were going to be crucial as Jason Forde opened Tipp’s account on 4 minutes.
Points from Tom Morrissey (2), Will O’Donoghue and Gillane extended Limerick’s lead to five points before a Noel McGrath point made it Tipp 0-02, Limerick 0-06.
Tipp had settled into the game somewhat with two Forde frees reducing the arrears to just two points. In keeping with the seesaw nature of the game Limerick extended the gap once more through points from Byrnes, Hegarty and O’Donoghue to make it 0-9 to 0-4.
Tipp needed a spark and got exactly that from Jake Morris who seconds after landing his first point of the game, buried a superb goal. to cut the gap to one point.
Limerick’s response was immediate as a long ball was won by Aaron Gillane who despite using his hurley was able to side foot the ball into the back of the Tipperary net.
Ronan Maher then fouled Peter Casey who was through on goal. Gillane makes it 1-10 to 1-5 and the ref handed a yellow card to Maher.
Jason Forde made it 1-06 to 1-10 with a free. A fine Cian Lynch point from lay was followed up but a flicked point from Peter Casey when Gillane looked to have created goal chance.
Jason Forde keeps Tipp in touch with two frees to make it 1-08 to 1-12 before Brendan Maher capitalised on a nasty collision between Tom Morrissey and Kyle Haye to point from 30 yards.
Liam Gordon blew for a foul on Gillane with the Patrickswell man converting to make it 1-13 to 1-08. Limerick went on a bit of scoring surge with points from Lynch, Byrnes, Casey and Mulcahy to make it 1-17 to 1-08 at the break.
Tipp came out energised in the second half as two Jason Forde frees plus a Niall OMeara made it a seven point game and suddenly that 1-08 return from the opening half looked ok.
Limerick had to wait 9 minutes for their first score of the second half as Gillane landed a close range free following a late hit on Peter Casey to make it 1-18 to 1-11.
A huge moment in the game came when Gearoid Hegarty was fouled going through on goal presenting a penalty opportunity for Gillane who buried the ball past Hogan.
The Patrickswell sharpshooter followed up a point from play as Limerick extended the lead to 2-19 to 1-11.
Michael Breen landed a super point from out on the sideline followed up by a Jason Forde free as Tipp again came back at Limerick once again.
55 minutes gone and cue controversy as Noel McGrath clearly picked the ball off the ground before offloading to John McGrath to bury a goal. An Alan Flynn point reduced to gap to just five points as the Tipp surge continued.
Subs David Reidy and Seamus Flanagan settled Limerick nerves to extend the gap to 2-21 to 2-14 with seven minutes remaining. There was further breathing space form Limerick as Aaron Gillane landed a huge free into the wind.
A Long Tipp puck out found Noel McGrath who turned and pointed. Jason Forde followed up soon after with a free to make it Tipp 2-16, Limerick 2-22.
Pat Ryan continued the impact of the Limerick bench with a point from out on the left. Ryan had a guilt edged goal opportunity on the 71st minute but Hogan pulled off a superb save to deny the Doon forward.
Jason Forde edged Tipp to within 7 points with a free but time was running out. The All Ireland Champions then dropped a 65′ short but it came to nothing.
The icing was added when Seamus Flanagan ended the scoring with a superb goal to make it 3-23 to 2-17.
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