Diarmaid Kelly leads by example as Limerick shock Tipperary

Tipperary 0-11 Limerick 3-8

Mick O’Sullivan’s Tipperary made a shock early exit from the Electric Ireland Munster and All-Ireland minor football championships this evening.

Tipp’s defeat to Limerick in the provincial playoff ends the Premier County’s interest in the 2016 competition, despite the fact that they contested Munster and All-Ireland finals last year.

Limerick were full value for the win against a Tipp side that registered 12 wides over the hour.

But the Shannonsiders wasted three glorious goal chances in the second half before Eoin O’Mahony rammed home a clinching goal in the final minute.

Captain Diarmaid Kelly also led by example for Limerick, bagging a haul of 2-2 split evenly between both halves.

Kelly’s fifth-minute goal helped Limerick to lead by 1-7 to 0-5 at half-time, before he netted a 34th minute penalty.

Ultimately, Limerick would not be caught after establishing an early 1-4 to 0-0 lead against a Tipp side that managed just two points from play during the entire game.

Tipp didn't score until the 14th minute through Michael Barlow's free and their leading scorer on the night was John Lyons, with six frees.

Limerick could have caught Tipp on the counter attack on a number of occasions during the second half and almost paid the price as the Premier County rallied to within two points late on.

But O’Mahony found the top corner of the Town End net for Limerick to set up a clash with Waterford next week, with a Munster semi-final with Cork on offer for the winners. Tipp’s misery was compounded in the second half as manager O’Sullivan was sent to the stand following a verbal altercation with an official.

Tipperary: J Dolan; J Harney, D Brennan, J Flannery; C English (0-1), P Feehan, S Nolan; C Cashman, B Hyland (0-1 45); R Lambe, C Boland, D Egan; J Lyons (0-6f), M Barlow (0-2f), A English (0-1). Subs: E Ryan for Feehan (b/c 18), S Ryan for Boland (25), J Delahunty for Cashman (h.t.), A Vance for Lambe (54), Boland for A English (57).

Limerick: A Murphy; G Brennan, F Murphy, D Enright; S Hurley (0-1), A Kearns, O Collins; J Ryan, D Kelly (2-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1f); E O'Mahony (1-4, 2f, 1 45), C McSweeney, A Storan; A Barrett (0-1), N Callinan, J Ryan. Subs: D Ranahan for Callinan (37), J Kelly for Barrett (49), L Cardy for J Ryan (52), S Ryan for Storan (60), J Kelly for Hurley (60+2).

Referee: E Walsh (Kerry).