Limerick 2-24
Tipperary 0-19

THEY WERE CAUGHT by Tipperary last year when they had a heavily-fancied side but tonight Limerick made no mistake with a dominant display in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling championship.

Limerick captain and goalscorer Tom Morrissey (file photo) Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Captain Tom Morrissey was man-of-the-match as he scored 1-4 while Aaron Gillane top scored with a total of 0-7 for Limerick.

Morrissy found the net in the 6th minute, bundling the ball in after Tipperary goalkeeper Brian Hogan had pulled off a couple of superb saves.

That put Limerick in front 1-3 to 0-0 and then in the 16th minute, Barry Nash escaped from the Tipperary cover before holding his nerve to net a close-range shot for Limerick’s second goal.

Barry Nash grabbed Limerick's second goal (file photo) Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

That pushed them nine points clear and they were in front by ten at the interval – 2-12 to 0-8.

3,076 spectators were present to see Pat Donnelly’s side close the match out in the second half and prevent Tipperary from claiming a victory for a second successive year.

Tipperary fielded an extremely young side and were calling on some 2016 All-Ireland minor winners. Midfielder Ger Browne was in excellent form while Mark Kehoe was another player that caught the eye.

Tipperary briefly gave their supporters some hope in the early stages of the second half as they chipped away at the Limerick advantage to trail 2-13 to 0-13 by the 41st minute.

But then Limerick took over with Gillane striking over four points in a row while Morrissey and Casey sparkled in the closing stages as they pulled clear to set up a semi-final tie with Clare on 12 July.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 0-9 (0-7f), Tom Morrissey 1-4, Barry Nash 1-0, Peter Casey 0-3, Ronan Lynch, Colin Ryan, Barry Murphy 0-2 each, Cian Lynch, Paudie Ahern 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Ger Browne, Lyndon Fairbrother (0-4f) 0-5 each, Mark Kehoe 0-3, Cian Darcy 0-2 (0-2f), Billy McCarthy, Willie Connors, Gavin O’Halloran and Tommy Nolan 0-1 each.

Limerick

1. Eoghan McNamara (Doon)

2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Darragh Fanning (Pallasgreen)
4. Dan Joy (Kilmallock)

5. Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
7. Josh Adams (Ballybrown)

8. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock)
9. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)

10. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane – captain)

13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
15. Barry Murphy (Doon)

Subs

23. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Hanley (40)
19. Thomas Grimes (Na Piarsaigh) for Adams (41)
21. Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock) for Murphy (48)
20. Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen) for Ryan (53)
22. Paudie Ahern (Killeedy) for Gillane (59)

Tipperary

1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)

2. Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
3. Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch)
4. Kevin Hassett (Drom & Inch)

5. Robert Byrne (Portroe)
6. Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
7. Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty-Rossmore)

8. Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields)
9. Ger Browne (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)

10. Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Éire Óg – captain)
11. Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers)
12. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

13. Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens)
14. David Gleeson (Ballinahinch)
15. Willie Connors (Kiladangan)

Subs

18. Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins) for Maher (blood 37-39)
22. Ronan Teehan (Gortnahoe-Glengoole) for Gleeson (42)
24. Tommy Nolan (Drom-Inch) for Connors (47)
19. Cian Darcy (Kilruane McDonagh’s) for Fairbrother (47)
23. Paul Ryan (Toomevara) for McCarthy (47)
17. Gavin O’Halloran (Carrick Swans) for Heffernan (59)

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

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