Gaelic Games

Tipperary overhaul Limerick to reach Munster U21 final

Ronan Teehan and Jason Ryan came off the bench to make the difference for Tipperary

Barry Nash of Limerick in action against Ronan Maher of Tipperary during the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final match between Tipperary and Limerick at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Co Tipperary. Photo: Sportsfile
Barry Nash of Limerick in action against Ronan Maher of Tipperary during the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final match between Tipperary and Limerick at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Co Tipperary. Photo: Sportsfile
Thu Jul 14 2016 - 21:36

Tipperary 2-12 Limerick 1-13

Limerick’s reign as Bord Gáis Energy Munster and All-Ireland under-21 hurling champions is over.

The Shannonsiders, with ten starting survivors from last year’s All-Ireland final, were shocked by Tipperary at Semple Stadium this evening.

Substitutes Ronan Teehan and Jason Ryan made the difference as they collected 1-3 between them after coming off the bench.

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And William Maher’s under-21s now have the chance to complete a dream Munster treble for Tipp on July 27th - following last Sunday’s minor-senior double.

But they’ll start as underdogs once again at Walsh Park, against a Waterford side that unloaded with a blistering second half display against Clare on Wednesday evening.

There was late drama Teehan netted with two minutes left for Tipp to open up a five-point lead - 2-11 to 0-12.

But Darragh O’Donovan had Tipp hearts fluttering as the Limerick skipper slammed home a goal in the final minute.

But Teehan put three between them before Ronan Lynch collected his ninth free of the night for the Treaty boys.

But the clock ran out on Limerick, who relinquish their titles despite starting as hot favourites, as Tipp march on to a first Munster U21 final since 2013.

In front of 4,020 spectators, Limerick held a slender one-point lead at the end of a dogged first half, played in difficult underfoot conditions.

The lead changed hands six times in the opening half, as Ronan Lynch’s fifth free put Limerick, with ten of last year’s All-Ireland winning team included as starters, 0-8 to 1-4 clear at the midway point.

Tipp hit the front with a free from Josh Keane but Limerick responded to move 0-3 to 0-1 in front - Pat Ryan, Lynch and Seamus Flanagan on target.

Tipp hit back to level at 0-3 each but after Keane landed another free in the 17th minute, Lynch bagged three placed balls on the trot to send Limerick into a 0-6 to 0-4 lead.

Tipp were back in the ascendancy in the 28th minute when Conor Lanigan and Stephen Quirke combined to set up Andrew Coffey, named at midfield but playing at wing-forward, and he drilled a low shot beyond Eoghan McNamara.

But Limerick’s response was impressive as Tom Morrissey took advantage of a Ronan Maher error to slot over an equalising point, before Lynch struck again.

TIPPERARY: B Hogan; P Maher, T Fox, D Sweeney; J Shelly, R Maher, S Ryan; B McCarthy, W Connors; S Quirke, B Heffernan, A Coffey (1-2); J Keane (0-4, 3f), C Lanigan (0-2), M Russell (0-1). Subs: J Ryan (0-2) for Connors (47), P Ryan for Lanigan (48), R Teehan (1-1) for Keane (55), T Nolan for McCarthy (59).

LIMERICK: E McNamara; M Casey, R English, Sean Flanagan; C Ryan, C Lynch, A La-Touche Cosgrave; D O'Donovan (1-0), P Ryan (0-1); R Lynch (0-9f), B Nash (0-1), D Dempsey; P Casey, T Morrissey (0-1), Seamus Flanagan (0-1). Subs: B Murphy for Nash (temp 25-h.t.), O O'Reilly for Casey (43), L Lyons for Morrissey (43), B Murphy for Seamus Flanagan (45), J Quaid for La Touche Cosgrave (58).

Referee: C McAllister (Cork).