Munster U-20 glory for Limerick after four point win over Tipperary

Limerick are Munster U-20 Hurling Champions following a 1-25 to 2-18 win over Tipperary in tonight’s final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Aidan O’Connor starred for Limerick with a man of the match performance that yielded 0-9 and he was backed up by 1-2 by Adam English and 0-5 from play by Shane O’Brien.

O’Connor opened the scoring after a minute and then 90 seconds later English popped up with the goal after pickpocketing Tipp defender Cathal Quinn.

The Doon clubman then fired over consecutive points and a fine Colin Coughlan solo effort saw Limerick into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead after 12 minutes.

Points from John Kirby and Jimmy Quilty saw Limerick further in front but a Kyle Shelly goal brought Tipperary right back into the contest.

Limerick didn’t panic and responded with points from O’Connor and O’Brien. They then finished the half strongly with O’Connor adding another three, while O’Brien and Chris Thomas landed one each to give them a 1-13 to 1-6 advantage.

Tipperary bagged a second goal seven minutes into the second half thanks to Jack Leamy but Limerick again had all the answers.

O’Connor and O’Brien kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Limerick also had scoring contributions from Patrick O’Donovan and Patrick Reale. Patrick Kirby’s tireless work was also rewarded with a fine point.

O’Brien and O’Connor had the final say with the last two points that sealed a 1-25 to 2-14 win for the Treaty.

Scorers – Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-9 (6f), Adam English 1-2, Shane O’Brien 0-5, Colin Coughlan, John Kirby, Jimmy Quilty, Chris Thomas, Eddie Stokes, Cian Scully, Patrick O’Donovan, Patrick Kirby and Patrick Reale 0-1 each

Limerick: Colin Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock; Chris Thomas (Doon), Fergal O’Connor (Effin), Evan O’Leary (Ahane); Cian Scully (Dromin-Athlacca Banogue), Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock – captain), John Kirby (Patrickswell); Adam English (Doon), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), Eddie Stokes (Doon); Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell), Donnacha Ó Dalaigh (Monaleen)

Subs: Patrick O’Donovan (Effin) for O’Dalaigh (44), Brian O’Meara (Mungret St Pauls) for Scully (46), Joe Sweeney (Adare) for Quilty (53), Patrick Reale (Knockainey) for J Kirby (55).