Limerick downed by Tipperary but still reach Munster Final

Limerick fell to a 1-22 to 0-21 defeat to Tipperary in Thurles but still managed to reach the Munster Final by virtue of Clare’s win over Cork in Ennis.

John Kiely’s men never really got going in a game that Tipperary led for the majority.

Both sides went at it with serious intent right from the off. A misplaced puckout from Brian Hogan found Shane Dowling who fired over the first score of the game. 

Tipp got the first goal chance of the game when McGrath found John O’Dwyer who couldn’t make a connection. The chance was snuffed out and Limerick cleared. 

A Darragh O’Donovan sideline cut helped Aaron Gillane to create half a yard of separation from his marker to open his account. 

Both sides looked nervy and fired some uncharacteristic wides despite not being under pressure when shooting. The swirling Thurles wind wasn’t helping. 

Jason Forde pointed a free to get Tipperary on the board after Jake Morris was fouled. Two minutes later and Noel McGrath landed a long range free to level proceedings. 

Brendan Maher and Seamus Callanan then added quick points to edge Tipperary into a two-point lead. 

Tipperary were finding their rhythm. Their fullback line getting on top and their movement causing Limerick problems at the other end.

John McGrath was then pulled down allowing Jason Forde an easy chance to make it a three point game. 

Limerick’s first goal chance came in the 18th minute as Seamus Flanagan turned his marker and bore down on goal. One on one and Brian Hogan pulled off a superb save. 

Tipperary fouled the ball coming out and Gillane free converted the free. A high tackle on Kyle Hayes meant Gillane would cut the deficit to just one point. 

Noel McGrath then found Paudie Maher with a sublime offload. Maher didn’t disappoint as Tipp once more added to their lead. 

Diarmaid Byrnes showed incredible stick work to lob the ball over his marker and fire over the black spot. 

Tipp then enjoyed a purple patch as Michael Breen, Jake Morris point and Jason Forde all added score to make it Tipp 0-9 Limerick 0-5. 

Gillane landed two frees either side of another Jason Forde as Tipperary looked the more settled outfit. 

Seamus Callanan and Jason Forde made it 0-12 to 0-7 as Tipperary hunted in packs and forced Limerick into mistakes.

John Kiely’s side would get one more chance as Aaron Gillane landed another free to make it a four point game at the break.

Graeme Mulcahy replaced Flanagan at half time and made an immediate impact by setting up Gillane for his second point from play.

Mulcahy then added a point of his own just after Nickie Quaid made a superb save from a John O’Dwyer shot.

Tipperary soon made up for that missed chance when Callanan buried a superb goal that saw them 1-12 to 0-10 up after three minutes of the second half.

Liam Sheedy’s side maintained the five point advantage for large parts of the second half, with Forde landing two superb sideline cuts.

Limerick were unable to get wrangle Tipperary’s five-point advantage and it was the Premier who held on for a four-point winning margin