Tipperary 1-24
Limerick 0-10
Jackie Cahill at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
LIAM CAHILL’S TIPPERARY retained their Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship crown this afternoon with a comprehensive thumping of Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
The Premier County ran out massive 17-point winners against the Shannonsiders, who were reduced to 14 players in the second half when Brian Nash was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Jake Morris was excellent in attack for Tipp as he collected 1-4 from play while Lyndon Fairbrother weighed in with 0-7, including four from play.
On a miserable afternoon for Limerick, Nash’s sending off came shortly after a 33rd minute goal for Morris, a superb low effort past Mark O’Kelly after Paddy Cadell had somehow managed to get his pass away under extreme pressure.
From there until the finish, it was a procession for Tipperary as they cruised to a 39th Munster minor hurling crown. The writing was on the wall for Limerick from a long way out as Tipp looked the more fluent outfit.
They’ve come a long way in a short space of time under Cahill and watching them in action this afternoon, it’s almost remarkable to think that Tipp lost their championship opener to Waterford.
But a do-or-die victory over Clare set Tipp up for a crack at Cork in the semi-final, a game they won at Páirc Uí Rinn, and their season opened up.
Today, they produced some brilliant hurling in difficult weather conditions to storm past Limerick, who admittedly had to play the vast majority of the second half a player light.
At half-time, Tipp led by 0-13 to 0-7, with Fairbrother, Morris and Mark Kehoe prominent. Limerick managed just six points from play on the day and that was never going to be good enough against a Tipp wide with scoring contributions from nine players.
The sending-off ended any faint hopes of a Limerick revival and they were even denied a consolation goal late on.
Sub Aaron Kennedy put the ball in the net but referee Rory McGann had already signalled for a 20m free, which was diverted out for a ’65.
Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 1-4, Lyndon Fairbrother 0-7 (3f), Brian McGrath (2f) & Dylan Walsh 0-3 each, Ger Browne & Mark Kehoe 0-2 each, Rian Doody, Colin English & Shane Neville 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Paul O’Brien 0-3f, Kyle Hayes & Conor Boylan 0-2 each, Cian Magnier Flynn, John Flynn & Aaron Kennedy (f) 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Ciarán Barrett (Clonmel Óg)
4. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
3. Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins)
2. Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
21. Tom Murphy (J.K. Brackens)
6. Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney – captain)
17. Cian Flanagan (Newport)
8. Paddy Cadell (J.K. Brackens)
9. Ger Browne (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)
12. Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
7. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
10. Rian Doody (Cappawhite)
14. Colin English (Fr. Sheehy’s)
11. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
15. Lyndon Fairbrother (J.K. Brackens)
Subs:
21. Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry) for English (27)
18. Shane Neville (Lattin Cullen) for Darcy (49)
24. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Doody (temp, 53)}
5. Gavin Dunne (Holycross-Ballycahill) for Flanagan (59
19. Kieran Breen (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for Murphy (60).
Limerick
1. Mark O’Kelly (Croom)
2. Brian Nash (South Liberties)
20. Ronan Connelly (Adare)
4. Brian Timmons (Murroe-Boher)
6. Josh Adams (Ballybrown)
7. Finn Hourigan (Murroe Boher)
5. Michael O’Grady (Knockainey)
9. Darragh Carroll (Newport)
21. John Flynn (Patrickswell)
8. Brian Ryan (South Liberties)
10. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry – captain)
13. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Paul O’Brien (Mungret St Pauls)
14. Cian Magnier Flynn (Killeedy)
3. Conor Nicholas (Monaleen)
Subs:
19. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Timmons (19)
12. David Woulfe (Kilmallock) for Ryan (36)
22. Aaron Kennedy (Murroe Boher) for O’Brien (36)
11. Cal McCarthy (Kilmallock) for Adams (40)
17. Anthony Barrett (Kilmallock) for O’Grady (53).
Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)
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He’s rather good isn’t he? Probably one of the first Irish names onto the Lions squad for the summer along with Furlong.
Always has a point to prove against his home province. Big game for him.
@thesaltyurchin: That must be why Robbie Henshaw and Caelan Doris play so well against Connacht.
@Finbarr Ryan: We’re talking about ‘Finals’ pal
@Finbarr Ryan: Also Henshaw is from Athlone, which is in Leinster no?
Creating a bit of false “us v the world” stuff. There’s hardly a pundit out there writing Munster off. Listened to podcasts on OTB, RTE and the42 this week. If anything, it is 50/50.
@Ricky Wright: indeed. Leinster have never ever won Munster more than 5 times consecutively, we’re at 5 times now, there’s probably a good reason for that. Things change and records are broken however sooner or later Leinster will once again lose to Munster and that could be Saturday. I hope for a Leinster win, but it really is a 50/50 in my eyes too.
@SPQH: Yep. I don’t even believe Europe is a distraction. I have a feeling Munster will win, and win more comfortably than any one expects. 10 points. I’ll be a bit sick if it happens but at least the season won’t be over, for whoever loses.
@SPQH: we’d be going for 11 in a row only for the red card.
@Chris Mc: Well I hope we don’t get a red card tomorrow! Come on Leinster!
He is Irelands Jamie Vardy
@Cranesofdublin: who’s that?
@Rudiger McMonihan: he’s a mate of your dad Antonio obvs
I think the pundits for the first time in a long while have Munster favourites, more probably in a desire to see another Province win for a change.
The battle of the backrows will be fascinating.Johnny v Joey ,the scrums,so much to look forward to ,you can’t over hype this game enough
@rugbyanbeer: funny it’s more likely Ross v joey
@rugbyanbeer: Munster are not favourites.