Tipperary were 17-point winners over Limerick in the Munster final earlier this year. Have Limerick closed the gap since July 10? It’s time to find out.

Tipperary are aiming to win their 20th All-Ireland title while Limerick are gunning for their fourth. Here we go.

3 mins – Tipperary 0-0 Limerick 0-1

Brian Ryan sends over a free to put Limerick in front.

5 mins – Tipperary 0-2 Limerick 0-1

Jake Morris levels the game for Tipperary. Moments later Lyndon Fairbrother sends the Premier in front for the first time.

Here’s how the teams lined up:

Limerick

1. Mark O’Kelly (Croom)

2. Brian Nash (South Liberties)
3. Conor Nicholas (Monaleen)
4. Ronan Connolly (Adare)

5. Josh Adams (Ballybrown)
6. Ciaran O’Connor (Kilmallock)
7. Finn Hourigan (Murroe-Boher)

8. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Darragh Carroll (Newport)

10. Michael O’Grady (Knockainey)
11. Anthony Barrett (Kilmallock)
12. Brian Ryan (South Liberties)

13. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
15. Cian Magner Flynn (Killeedy)

Tipperary

1.      Ciarán Barrett – Clonmel Óg

2.      Killian O’Dwyer – Killenaule
3.      Michael Whelan – Carrick Davins
4.      Tom Murphy – J.K. Brackens

5.      Cian Flanagan – Newport
6.      Brian McGrath (Capt.) – Loughmore-Castleiney
7.      Jerome Cahill – Kilruane MacDonaghs

8.      Paddy Cadell – J.K. Brackens
9.      Ger Browne – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams

10.      Rian Doody – Cappawhite
11.      Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg
12.      Colin English – Fr. Sheehy’s

13.      Cian Darcy – Kilruane MacDonaghs
14.      Mark Kehoe – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
15.      Lyndon Fairbrother – J.K. Brackens

11 mins – Tipperary 0-4 Limerick 0-2

We’ve seen some really good hurling so far. Darragh Carroll hits Limerick’s second score from play as Colin English fires one of his own for Tipp.

13 mins – Tipperary 0-5 Limerick 0-2

You can’t afford to afford Brian McGrath many scoreable frees. He converts the placed ball to send Tipp three in front.

18 mins – Tipperary 0-6 Limerick 0-3

Fairbrother converts another free as a gap begins to appear between the teams. Limerick have fared well so far. At the far end Brian Ryan responds for Limerick.

20 mins – Tipperary 0-8 Limerick 0-3

Fairbrother (free) and Morris put Tipp five in front.

22 mins – Tipperary 0-8 Limerick 0-5

The game hasn’t sparkled to life just yet, much of that might be done to the sweeper systems on view. Two quickfire scores from Ryan will lift Limerick as the game approaches half-time. The second one was from way out the field.

Six wides for Tipperary and three for Limerick so far.

25 mins – Tipperary 0-8 Limerick 0-6

Limerick are winning a lot of the breaking ball. Ryan splits the posts with a free. It’s a two point game in Croker.

29 mins – Tipperary 0-8 Limerick 0-7

Conor Boylan races through, shortens the grip on his hurley and flicks the ball over. Limerick have all the momentum.

30 mins – Tipperary 0-9 Limerick 0-7

Shane Neville, who’s just come in as a sub, edges Tipp two clear.

Half-time: Tipperary 0-9 Limerick 0-8

Ryan’s latest free for Limerick leave a point between them at the break.

33 mins – Tipperary 1-10 Limerick 0-8

Jake Morris buries a goal for Tipperary. Excellent finish!

Jake Morris is lucky to stay on the field after his off-the-ball dig at Josh Adams. Morris receives a yellow card.

36 mins – Tipperary 1-11 Limerick 0-9

Morris is making this second half his own. He brings his tally to 1-3, while Ryan converts another free at the far end.

36 mins – Tipperary 1-11 Limerick 0-10

Kyle Hayes strikes one over off the left. Good score after a great ball from Mark O’Kelly.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

42 mins – Tipperary 1-12 Limerick 0-11

Limerick’s sweeper system is affecting Tipperary’s fluency in attack. McGrath lands over another free for Tipp.

At the far end Kyle Hayes goes desperately close with a goal chance after a great run through the Tipp defence. Limerick need to be taking those chances.

46 mins – Tipperary 1-13 Limerick 0-12

English leaves Tipp four in front.

49 mins – Tipperary 1-15 Limerick 0-13

Mark Kehoe darted down the centre and drilled over from midfield. He’s been having a big effect on the game since his move to centre-field from full-forward.

Ryan responds with a free for Limerick.

50 mins – Tipperary 1-16 Limerick 0-13

Tipp are using their bench well in the second half as Dylan Walsh stretches the lead to six. Limerick have abandoned the sweeper system as they attempt to pull this back.

54 mins – Tipperary 1-18 Limerick 0-16

David Woulfe and Fairbrother trade scores.

Tipp’s Ger Browne goes close to scoring but Mark Kelly pulled off a fine save at the far post. The game has really opened up in the last 10 minutes.

59 mins – Tipperary 1-18 Limerick 0-17

Ryan’s latest free leaves four between the teams. 13 wides haven;t helped Limerick’s cause.

60 mins – Tipperary 1-21 Limerick 0-17

Kehoe and Neville look to have wrapped this up for Tipp with a score each.

Tipperary’s Colin English is named man of the match.

Conor Boylan’s close-range shot on goal goes wide. That’s their third wide in the last few minutes. Limerick haven’t taken their chances.

Full-time: Tipperary 1-21 Limerick 0-17