Tipperary 1-21
Limerick 0-17
Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park
FOR THE SECOND time this summer, Tipperary’s minor hurlers saw off Limerick on a final day but this time the prize was far greater in Croke Park this afternoon.
In July, Tipperary cruised past Limerick by 17 points in the Munster decider at the Gaelic Grounds and while the gap was closed today, it was not sufficient for Limerick to gain revenge for that defeat.
Manager Liam Cahill saw his Tipperary side turn on the style in attack at key stages with Jake Morris – who struck the key goal in the 34th minute – impressive along with man-of-the-match Colin English, Lyndon Fairbrother, Mark Kehoe and substitute Shane Neville.
Limerick fought bravely and were far more competitive than in the provincial final as they demonstrated their rate of improvement since that loss.
But Tipperary deserved this seven-point success as they triumphed in the All-Ireland final curtain-raiser unlike last year’s reversal at the hands of Galway.
Tipperary began brightly and clinically took their chances to surge 0-5 to 0-2 clear after the opening quarter thanks to a Brian McGrath pointed free. That position was embellished further when Jake Morris hit a point in the 22nd minute that pushed the Premier clear by 0-8 to 0-2.
However Limerick fought back splendidly before the interval, inspired by wing-forward Brian Ryan. His freetaking was impressive all afternoon and by the break they were firmly in the hunt as they trailed 0-9 to 0-8.
The game breaking score arrived in the 38th minute with Morris burying a shot to the bottom corner in front of Hill 16. Tipperary scored seven goals in their semi-final destruction of Galway but the solitary effort here from the Nenagh Éire Óg youngster was crucial.
To their credit Limerick kept battling and had the deficit down to three points on a couple of occasions. But in the last quarter Tipperary always had the capacity to tack on the points and they clinched a first All-Ireland minor crown since 2012.
Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 1-3, Lyndon Fairbrother 0-5 (0-4f), Colin English 0-4, Shane Neville 0-3, Mark Kehoe, Brian McGrath (0-1f, 0-1 ’65) 0-2 each, Ger Browne, Dylan Walsh 0-1 each.
Scorers for Limerick: Brian Ryan 0-11 (0-9f), Kyle Hayes, Conor Boylan, Ciaran O’Connor, Darragh Carroll, Paul O’Brien, David Woulfe 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Ciarán Barrett (Clonmel Óg)
2. Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
3. Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins)
4. Tom Murphy (J.K. Brackens)
5. Cian Flanagan (Newport)
6. Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney – captain)
7. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
8. Paddy Cadell (J.K. Brackens)
9. Ger Browne (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)
10. Rian Doody (Cappawhite)
11. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
12. Colin English (Fr. Sheehy’s)
13. Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
14. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
15. Lyndon Fairbrother (J.K. Brackens)
Subs
17. Shane Neville (Lattin-Cullen) for Doody (26)
18. Gavin Dunne (Holycross-Ballycahill) for Murphy (36)
22. Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry) for Darcy (42)
21. Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore) for Flanagan (51)
24. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Browne (60)
Limerick
1. Mark O’Kelly (Croom)
2. Brian Nash (South Liberties)
3. Conor Nicholas (Monaleen)
4. Ronan Connolly (Adare)
5. Josh Adams (Ballybrown)
6. Ciaran O’Connor (Kilmallock)
7. Finn Hourigan (Murroe Boher)
8. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Darragh Carroll (Newport)
10 Michael O’Grady (Knockainey)
11. Anthony Barrett (Kilmallock)
12. Brian Ryan (South Liberties)
13. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry – captain)
15. Cian Magnier Flynn (Killeedy)
Subs
22. Paul O’Brien (Mungret St Paul’s) for Magner-Flynn (33)
18. John Flynn (Patrickswell) for Carroll (36)
24. David Woulfe (Kilmallock) for Barrett (42)
17. Michael Bourke (Garryspillane) for Adams (45)
21. Conor O’Grady (Hospital-Herbertstown) for O’Grady (53)
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
