Cronin goal proves crucial as Limerick defeat Tipperary in Munster Minor football

Limerick 2-9
Tipperary 1-9
By Tom Clancy at LIT Gaelic Grounds

Limerick advanced to the Munster Minor football championship semi-final following a three point victory over neighbours Tipperary. Kevin Denihan’s side face Clare on July 30^th, in Ennis. Once Limerick led in the 13^th minute, Tipperary were unable to peg them back, though a second half green flag from Ruairi Cronin proved crucial at the final whistle.

Limerick led 1-4 to 1-1 at the first half water-break with Fr. Casey’s star Marc Nolan netting after an earlier goal from Tipperary’s Diarmuid O’Riordan. Limerick responded well to every visiting score throughout and this ensured they kept their nose in front.

At the short whistle, Limerick led by four points, with Jack Somers effort closing the half. Tipperary were extremely wasteful in front of goal.

WATCH: Reaction from @LimerickCLG minor football manager @KevinDenihan as his side beat @TipperaryGAA to advance to the @MunsterGAA semi final against Clare. https://t.co/IprSGpjvFO

— Sporting LK (@SportingLK) July 21, 2021

The Premier County started the second stanza with a purpose, and after cutting the gap to just two points, Cronin finished low beyond Tom Bourke for the games crucial score.  This had Limerick five clear at the water break and despite just scoring once down the stretch, the Treaty had enough. The 59^th minute free from Darragh Murray was pivotal, as it kept Limerick two scores clear and they held on.

Limerick were victors over Waterford in 2020 before falling to a heavy defeat to Clare in the Munster semi-final. Elsewhere on Thursday, Waterford suffered a heavy defeat to Cork, who advance to face Kerry in the other semi-final.

Scorers – Limerick: Darragh Murray 0-4 (3f), Conall Ó’Duinn 0-3 (1f), Marc Nolan, Ruari Cronin 1-0, Jack Somers 0-2.

Limerick: Craig MacInnes (St Kierans); Michael Kilbridge (Fr. Casey’s), Jamie Behan (Ballybrown), Darragh Clifford (Monaleen); Lorcan Murphy (St. Kierans), Aaron Neville (Fr. Casey’s), Stephen Kiely (Monaleen); Jack Somers (Mungret St. Paul’s), Darragh Murray © (Monaleen), Marc Nolan (Fr. Casey’s), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Oisín O’Farrell (St. Senan’s), Conall O’Duinn (Monaleen), Ruairi Cronin (Fr. Casey’s), Ronan Quirke (Fr. Casey’s).
 
Subs: Culann Quigley (Fr. Casey’s) for Clifford (ht), Owen O’Sullivan (Galbally) for Quirke (40), Calum Boyle (Fr. Casey’s) for Kiely (47), Sean Geraghty (Newcastle West) for Ó’Duinn (53), Dylan O’Connor (Fr. Casey’s) for Nolan (61).