Limerick 3-16
Tipperary 3-14
Limerick eventually prevailed following a gripping Bord Gais Munster under-21 hurling semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.
Leading by a dozen points in the first half Limerick had shown commendable class initially, but character was required in the closing stages as a stunning Tipperary revival brought them level. John Kiely’s Limerick stayed the distance, though, as substitute Colin Ryan capped an impressive cameo with the crucial late scores which set up a provincial decider with Clare on July 30th.
A curious opening period dominated by Limerick ended with a brilliant Colin O’Riordan inspired burst from Tipperary which brought them back into serious contention. After 24 minutes the signs were not good for Tipperary, who trailed by 12 as Limerick were in command.
Only 14 seconds had elapsed when Limerick struck for a goal as Pat Ryan’s smashing run crafted a chance which Cian Lynch converted with a delightful strike. Lynch’s sweet first time pull was immaculate and Limerick took huge belief from that early intervention.
Tipp were struggling and repeatedly required full back Michael Breen to deny a Limerick outfit that was dominant initially. Ryan and Darragh O’Donovan were immense at centrefield at the start for Limerick, while in attack Lynch and David Dempsey carried a menacing threat.
Dempsey contributed three first half points as Limerick led by 1-7 to 0-2 by the 22nd minute as Tipperary were being put under severe bother. Then a clever Limerick move in the 23rd minute culminate with a Robbie Hanley goal. When Ryan added a point from distance Limerick’s advantage was remarkably stretched to 2-8 to 0-2.
O’Riordan, a key figure for Peter Creedon’s Tipperary senior footballers, assumed centre stage clipping a 25th minute goal. Stephen Cahill rifled over a point and then O’Riordan injected Tipperary’s cause with hope when blasting the sliotar to the roof of the Limerick net in the 28th minute.
In the seconds before the break O’Donovan and John McGrath traded points as Tipperary had trimmed the deficit down significantly to 2-9 to 2-4.
After the restart a vastly improved Tipperary continued to narrow the gap hitting four of the next four points before Limerick had centre back Barry O’Connell sent off for a second bookable offence in the 44th minute.
It was a dramatic encounter, though, and despite being without the full complement Limerick responded by rattling the Tipp net for a third time. Tom Morrissey supplied the opportunistic close range finish following a Paul Maher save from Colin Ryan.
Limerick made another burst as replacement Jack Kelliher and Ryan nailed fine points which gave them the initiative once more. In the dying seconds Tipp’s outstanding full back Michael Breen was sent off picking up a second booking for a foul on Lynch. Ryan was ice cool converting the insurance free as Limerick survived a stern examination.
With Clare and Limerick’s senior teams already out of Championship fare Thursday week’s Munster under-21 showpiece in Ennis is sure to capture the imagination.
Limerick: D McCarthy; M O'Callaghan, R English, M Casey; D Byrnes, B O'Connell, G Hegarty; D O'Donovan (0-2), P Ryan (0-1); R Hanley (1-0), R Lynch (0-2, 165, 1f), D Dempsey (0-4); K O'Brien, T Morrissey (1-1), C Lynch (1-1).
Subs: C Ryan (0-4, 3fs) for Hanley (31 mins), S Finn for O'Callaghan (32 mins), L O'Sullivan for R Lynch (37 mins), J Kelliher (0-01) for O'Brien (56 mins), A Gillane for Ryan (60 mins)
Tipperary: P Maher; T Fox, M Breen (0-1,f), J Peters; R Maher, B Heffernan (0-1), T Hamill (0-1); B Maher (0-1), S Cahill (0-2); J McGrath (0-6, 2fs, 265s), W Connors, C O'Riordan (2-0); B McCarthy, P Shanahan, T Gallagher (1-0).
Subs: J Keane (0-1, f) for Connors (22 mins), J Shelley (0-1) for Shanahan (31 mins), A Coffey for McCarthy (50 mins), P Maher for Gallagher (56 mins)
Referee: C Lyons (Cork).
