Last night's Munster under-21 hurling final emulated the late dramatics of a year ago when Limerick wing back Eoin Foley's piercing penalty levelled the match in the last minute to send the teams back for a replay, writes Sean Moran.
In the immediate aftermath of the final whistle confusion reigned with a public announcement that there would be extra-time, followed by a swiftly handed-down countermand from the Munster Council.Few in the 14,560 crowd in Thurles were disappointed at honours being shared. By the end, the dismal day had darkened so much that it would have been touch-and-go to get even 20 minutes more hurling.
Tipperary will, however, be disappointed that they were hauled back from the very verge of avenging their defeat of a year ago - to a last-minute, controversial free. Having drawn level at the start of the fourth quarter, they had painstakingly assembled a three-point lead and looked set to win the county's first title in three years.
It was an exciting match with some good score-taking but inevitably it suffered from the weather. Players slipped and slithered, lost their footing and fumbled and foostered with the ball as the day's rain took its toll even on the superior Semple Stadium surface.
Tipperary rearranged their attack to bring Eoin Kelly to full forward and in the early stages he was a constant threat. Eventually Dave Keane withdrew his full back Brian Carroll before half-time and things settled a little. But in the second half Lar Corbett shook himself down and delivered a performance more in keeping with his potential than in recent matches.
Limerick recovered from the early dangers to hit a purple patch on the scoreboard. In the eighth minute Mark Keane was perfectly positioned as Niall Moran's high ball dropped invitingly and he pulled it to the net. Seven minutes later no sooner had Tipp stopped a dangerous attack than James O'Brien picked up the clearance and soloed through before sending in an ambitious shot that ended up in the top of the net.
Under pressure Tipp responded and an individual goal - solo and strike - by Donal Shelley threw the match into the hazard again. At half-time Limerick led by a point, 2-6 to 1-8 after a half that had seen defences under pressure, although Limerick centre back Paudie O'Dwyer overall had a fine match.
Corbett announced his intentions early with a point and a shot that drew a fine save from Timmy Houlihan but Limerick should have put the match away. Mark Keane had a particularly miserable second half shooting four wides as chances went abegging.
In the 46th minute an outbreak of indecision in the Limerick defence allowed a sideline ball that was apparently covered to pop up invitingly for Corbett who returned it to the net. Tipperary gained momentum and Kelly with two frees and Corbett, scything through the cover, established a three-point lead.
But in the 60th minute with the match apparently gone, Conor Fitzgerald was brought down as he moved onto Maurice O'Brien's long ball and we were back to square one.
LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, B Carroll, E Mulcahy; E Foley (1-0, a penalty), P O'Dwyer, M O'Brien; P Lawlor, M O'Donnell; C Fitzgerald (0-1), J O'Brien (1-1), K Tobin; A O'Shaughnessy (0-3), N Moran (0-1), M Keane (1-3, points from frees). Subs: J O'Connor for Carroll (25 mins), P Kirby for Tobin (28 mins), T Carmody for Keane (64 mins).
TIPPERARY: D Young; M Maher, P Curran, D Gleeson; T King, J Devane, D Fitzgerald; S Maher, E Brislane; D Shelley (1-1), J O'Brien, L Corbett (1-3); R O'Brien, E Kelly (0-7, six frees), E Ryan (0-1).
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).
