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.
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.
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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With 11 players from last season limerick really have a strong side this year for u21. Morrissey and Ronan Lynch were great.
Tipp only really starting off on this U21 phase with so many minors from last year’s AIMH Champions, and will have 12 of that team again next year, while Limerick are at their peak with this bunch and it easily showed, they were very strong.
@Hakaman: surprised tipp have no lads 20-21 that are any good and had to pick most of last years minors. Not a good sign. They ll be good next year no doubt
We had 5 or 6 players who just finished their leaving cert. Brian McGrath and Mark Kehoe look like senior players in the making. Limerick’s skill levels were outstanding.
It was like boys against men out there last night. Limerick were better conditioned, better in the air, sharper and better tactically.
Tipp had some good performances from Ger Browne and Mark Kehoe but otherwise looked flat. Quirke especially looked like he’s not back up to speed after his last injury. Nash and Morrissey were excellent for Limerick, who never seemed to need to get above second gear
Hopefully a hard lesson for the young Tipp team that will drive them on. Limerick are serious contenders and will take some stopping.
Will take beating
Some fantastic players out there. Hopefully a good few lads can build on the promise they are showing. A very exciting time to be a hurling supporter with the depth of talent around and coming through. Great to see the gap really closing between counties too