Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B
Limerick 0-26 Tipperary 3-16
Another second-half onslaught from Limerick buried hopes of a Tipperary victory on Leeside as John Kiely’s side rubber-stamped their place in next year’s seven-team Division 1.
The unbeaten Treaty are in pole position for a place in the semi-finals, too, although a last-puck goal from Jake Morris closed the final deficit to one.
The biggest blow for Tipp, however, was a serious-looking knee injury sustained by Séamus Kennedy in this game moved to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh due to remedial pitch works at the Gaelic Grounds.
Kiely made six changes from their victory over Dublin, including first involvements of 2024 for Cian Lynch as captain, Hurler of the Year Aaron Gillane, and Peter Casey. Barry Murphy was a late addition in midfield as Darragh O’Donovan didn’t tog out.
Liam Cahill opted for 11 changes from the experimental side that defeated Westmeath. Morris and Eoghan Connolly were back from injuries to start, as was half-time replacement Bryan O’Mara, although Mark Kehoe missed out.
It was a first half with defences on top as savage work rate met short-passing moves. A swirling wind posed further problems, with as many shots missed as scored in the first half.
Gearóid O’Connor and Jason Forde were carrying the Tipp effort, splitting their opening four points between them. Forde would finish with 1-7 to his name.
Limerick only scored twice from play in the opening 30 minutes, via Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, who was battling to shake change out of Michael Breen, and Lynch. While Diarmaid Byrnes was wrestling with the wind, Aaron Gillane popped his five close-range frees.
Tipp missed a handful of frees from distance, too, as their entire first-half total came from play.
On the half-hour, they had the opening goal. A superb sideline cut from O’Connor caught Mike Casey in no man’s land with Forde loitering behind and the Silvermines sharp-shooter batted the sliotar over Nickie Quaid.
They led by five, 1-7 to 0-5, but Limerick had more than cancelled out the goal by half-time with the final four points from Byrnes, two Gillane frees, and Gearóid Hegarty.
The whistle came at a good time for Tipperary, still ahead by one, 1-7 to 0-9.
They re-emerged with the opening two points from Forde and Alan Tynan, although they suffered a major blow when Kennedy pulled up with a knee injury as he checked his run.
The influence of Limerick’s half-back line was growing all the while with Cathal O’Neill pulling the strings from centre-back and Colin Coughlan getting off three early shots, converting two.
In the 49th minute, they took the lead for the first time as Ó Dálaigh smartly finished a quick sideline before Gillane added his first from play. The in-form Ó Dálaigh was rising to the occasion, arrowing over a lovely individual point before turning over possession for Lynch to point.
Mike Casey burst forward to add his name to the scoresheet but just as it all seemed to be falling into place for Limerick, Tipp struck back.
Patrick Maher didn’t give up on a lost cause, flicking the sliotar out of Coughlan’s grasp and dashing for goal to unleash a bullet past Quaid. Level a fourth time now, 2-12 to 0-18.
Once again, Limerick replied with a barrage of scores. Gillane, Byrnes, and Tom Morrissey pointed frees and Graeme Mulcahy tacked on another to establish a four-point lead.
The gap was back to two when the fourth official’s board indicated six added minutes but the Treaty had four of the next five points from Byrnes, Adam English, Séamus Flanagan, and Hegarty.
In fact, all four Limerick subs registered scores despite not introducing any until the 59th minute.
Tipp fired the final 1-1 but it wasn’t enough as Liam Gordon blew the whistle straight after Morris’s goal.
Scorers for Limerick: A Gillane (0-8, 7 frees); D Byrnes (1 free), D Ó Dálaigh (0-3 each); C Coughlan, G Hegarty, C Lynch (0-2 each); M Casey, C Boylan, A English, S Flanagan, T Morrissey (free), G Mulcahy (0-1 each).
Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde (1-7, 0-3 frees); J Morris (1-3); P Maher (1-0); G O’Connor (0-3); C Morgan, A Tynan, S Ryan (0-1 each).
LIMERICK: N Quaid; F O’Connor, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes, C O’Neill, C Coughlan; W O’Donoghue, B Murphy; G Hegarty, C Lynch (capt), C Boylan; D Ó Dálaigh, A Gillane, P Casey.
Subs: T Morrissey for Boylan (59), G Mulcahy for P Casey (59), S Flanagan for Gillane (64), A English for Murphy (70).
TIPPERARY: B Hogan; C Morgan, R Maher (capt), M Breen; C Bowe, B McGrath, S Kennedy; E Connolly, P Cadell; A Tynan, C Stakelum, G O’Connor; J Forde, J McGrath, J Morris.
Subs: D McCormack for Bowe (3-10, temporary), B O’Mara for B McGrath (h-t), P Maher for O’Connor (41-45, temporary), McCormack for Kennedy (47, inj), S Ryan for J McGrath (52), P Maher for Tynan (57), C Quinn for Cadell (64).
Referee: L Gordon (Galway).
