Limerick 2-18

Tipperary 2-16

SHANE DOWLING’S 2-9 helped Limerick to their first Munster Senior Hurling Championship victory over Tipperary in Thurles since 1973 this afternoon.

The visitors left it late though, scoring 1-2 without reply when it looked as if the Premier County were on course to book a spot in the Munster decider on July 13; Dowling bagging his second of the game to equalise with two minutes to play before Thomas Ryan and Seamus Hickey secured  the win.

Man of the match Dowling already had three points to his name when he blasted home a 20m free in the 15th minute to give Limerick a 1-3 to 0-3 lead but Tipperary were back in the game six minutes later when Bonner Maher burst through the visitors’ defence to drill a low shot home.

And it was Tipp who finished the half the stronger with the final four points to ensure the sides went in level at the break; 1-8 apiece.

The sides were still level with 15 minutes to go despite John O’Dwyer scoring Tipp’s second goal of the game ten minutes after the restart.

However, momentum looked to be with the home side when Graeme Mulcahy had a goal disallowed seven minutes from time before Denis Maher made it a three point game with 180 seconds remaining.

Limerick though, despite all their off the field issues this year, weren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet and Dowling, Ryan and Hickey sent them back to the Munster final.

Scorers for Limerick: Shane Dowling 2-9 (1-9f), Donal O’Grady and Kevin Downes 0-2 each, Thomas Ryan, Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon, Seamus Hickey and Paul Browne 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Gearóid Ryan 1-2, Seamus Callanan 0-5 (3f), John O’Dwyer 0-5 (1f), Patrick Maher 1-0, Noel McGrath, Niall O’Meara, Denis Maher, Lar Corbett 0-1 each.

LIMERICK

1. Nicky Quaid – Effin
5. Paudie O’Brien – Kilmallock
4. Tom Condon – Knockaderry
3. Richie McCarthy – Blackrock
7. Gavin O’Mahony – Kilmallock
6. Wayne McNamara – Adare
2. Seamus Hickey – Murroe Boher
8. James Ryan – Garryspillane
9. Paul Browne – Bruff
12. Declan Hannon – Adare
11. Donal O’Grady – Granagh Ballingarry
10. Shane Dowling – Na Piarsaigh
13. Graeme Mulcahy – Kilmallock
14. Kevin Downes – Na Piarsaigh
15. Seanie Tobin – Murroe Boher

Subs:  T Ryan for Tobin (61), M Ryan for Mulcahy (71).

TIPPERARY
1. Darren Gleeson – Portroe
2. Cathal Barrett – Holycross Ballycahill
3. Padraic Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
4. Michael Cahill – Thurles Sarsfields
5. James Barry – Upperchurch Drombane
6. Brendan Maher – Borris-Ileigh
7. Conor O’Mahony – Newport
8. Kieran Bergin – Killenaule
20. Shane McGrath – Ballinahinch
12. John O’Dwyer – Killenaule
13. Noel McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
10. Gearóid Ryan – Templederry Kenyons
14. Seamus Callanan – Drom & Inch
11. Patrick Maher – Lorrha & Dorrha
15. Niall O’Meara – Kilruane McDonaghs

Subs:  L Corbett for Barry (55), D Maher for O’Meara (62), C O’Brien for Cahill (65), S Bourke for O’Dwyer (68), T Stapleton for S McGrath (71).

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