Tommy Carroll came off the bench to grab a last-minute equaliser for Tipperary champions Toomevara in an absorbing tie against Patrickswell of Limerick at Thurles yesterday.

It was a fitting result to a contest played in driving wind and rain before 2,517 people as neither side deserved to lose.

Toomevara were without four regulars: suspended All Star Tomas Dunne; his brother Terry, the team captain; Eoin Brislane, both of whom are recovering from recent surgery, and Paul McGrath, sidelined with a broken thumb.

To add to their woes, county star Paddy O'Brien took a heavy knock in the first half which limited his contribution subsequently. Toomevara were the happier with the outcome, but Patrickswell have the advantage of a home venue for the replay.

Wind-assisted Patrickswell dominated the first half and were six points ahead after 23 minutes. Toomevara finished well and were 0-3 to 0-7 behind at the break.

Toomevara were level by the 19th minute of the second half, but Patrickswell rose to the challenge. Four points were shared in four minutes, but when Paul O'Grady put Patrickswell ahead two minutes from the end, victory looked to be theirs.

In a tense finish, substitute Carroll levelled for Toomevara with his first touch of the ball in the last minute.

TOOMEVARA: J Cottrell; G Frend, R Brislane, P Shanahan; B Duff, T Delaney, B Dunne; P Hackett (0-1), K Dunne (0-6); P O'Brien (0-1), K Cummins, M Bevans; B McGrath, M O'Meara, J O'Brien (0-2). Subs: D Kelly for O'Meara, T Carroll (0-1) for McGrath.

PATRICK'S WELL: N O'Grady; M Foley, A Foley, P Earls; P O'Reilly, C Carey, D Foley; G Kirby (0-5), P Carey; T O'Brien (0-1), P O'Grady (0-2), A Carmody (0-2); E Geary , D O'Grady, B Foley (0-1). Subs: E Foley for B Foley, J McDermott for E Geary.

Referee: G Harrington (Cork).