Limerick, shock winners over Wicklow in their last outing, were brought down to earth at Limerick yesterday.

The game's key score came after 23 minutes when Tipperary scored a splendid goal. A free from Brian Burke went straight into the hands of Declan Browne, who fired past Limerick goalkeeper Eamonn Scollard. That made the score 1-4 to 0-4 and by half-time Tipperary led 1-6 to 0-4.

The second half was more evenly contested, but the difference between the sides was the accuracy of Browne, who scored 1-8.

Tipperary: P Ryan; E O'Dwyer, N Kelly, L Cronin; B Hahessy (0- 1), M Leonard, M Sheehan (0-1); D Foley, S Maher; C O'Shea (0-1), D Hogan, B Burke; P Lambert, D Lyons, D Browne (1-8). Subs: M Spillane for Burke; G Butler for Hogan.

Limerick: E Scollard; J Kiely, D Sheehy, B O'Connor; N Kelly, J Quane (0-1), T McGarry; N Mulvihill (0-1), N O'Doherty; D Ryan, G O'Connor (0-1), D Reidy; F Finnan, M Dineen (0-1), M Reidy (0-2). Subs: T Cummins (0-1) for Kiely; J Allen for Kelly; P Galvin for Finnan.

Referee: P Lyons (Kerry).