Report: Limerick lose Munster Minor Hurling Final to Tipperary

Limerick’s dream of winning the Munster Minor Hurling Final came to a disappointing end as they were beaten by Tipperary 1-20 to 1-12 at Semple Stadium in Thurles.

Antoin Power’s side never came close to reaching the levels previously seen in the Championship to date against a dominant Tipperary side.

Limerick started the game well with two points in the first four minutes from Bob Purcell and Cathal O’Neill.

Tipperary sound found their feet in front of goal to score the next three points, two of which came from Sean Hayes. The other a James Devaney free.

Hayes and Devaney were causing plenty of problems for the Limerick full back line but Limerick responded and O’Neill’s second free of the game levelled the contest for a second time on 12 minutes.

Tommy Dunne’s Tipperary then hit a purple patch with five on the bounce with Sean Phelan’s individual effort the highlight that put daylight between the teams.

Limerick rallied towards the end of the half with Cormac Ryan and Patrick Kirby efforts but the ever willing Devaney’s sixth of the first half saw Tipperary to a 0-12 to 0-7 lead at half time.

Power’s men also started the second half brightly but missed a few early chances and were punished to the fullest by a classy Tipperary side.

Devaney and Cian O’Farrell continued their fine form from the first half and once Mikey O’Shea buried Tipperary’s goal seven minutes from time, the game was effectively over.

Newcastle West’s Bryan Nix did manage a consolation goal in added time for Limerick but it came too late to mount a comeback.

Limerick must now face games against Kilkenny and Galway in a round robin series to get to an All-Ireland semi final with the first game taking place next weekend where the Tribesmen will be Limerick’s opposition.

Scorers – Limerick: Cathal O’Neill 0-6 (5fs), Bryan Nix 1-0, Cormac Ryan 0-3, Bob Purcell, Patrick Kirby and Barry O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers – Tipperary: James Devaney 0-8 (4fs, 1 ’65), Mikey O’Shea 1-1, Sean Hayes 0-3, Sean Phelan and Cian O’Farrell 0-2 each, Ryan Renehan (s/l), Kian O’Kelly, Conor Whelan and Max Hackett 0-1 each.

Limerick: Bryan Heavey; Padraig Harnett, Ben Herlihy, Michael Keane; Eoin O’Mahony, Emmet McEvoy, Jack Nicholas; Patrick Kirby, Barry O’Connor; Cathal O’Neill, Cormac Ryan, Bob Purcell; Colin Coughlan, Diarmuid Hegarty, Danny O’Leary.

Subs: Bryan Nix for O’Leary (26 mins), David Hickey for Hegarty (50 mins), Michael Martin for Coughlan (55 mins), Andrew Shanahan for Nicholas (62 mins), Cian Casey for Kirby (62 mins).

Tipperary: Aaron Browne; Conor O’Dwyer, Conor Whelan, Kevin Hayes; Johnny Ryan, Fintan Purcell, Sean Phelan; Max Hackett, John Campion; Kian O’Kelly, Ryan Renehan, Cian O’Farrell; Devon Ryan, Sean Hayes, James Devaney.

Subs: Mikey O’Shea for Renehan (46 mins), Jack Morrissey for Campion (50 mins), Kevin Maher for Hackett (57 mins), Billy O’Connor for Ryan (60 mins), Frank Hanafin for Phelan (63 mins).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)