Limerick 1-23
Tipperary 2-13
By Jackie Cahill at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
A LETHAL LIMERICK inside line containing captain Willie Griffin and senior panellist Tom Morrissey collected 1-11 against Tipperary in this afternoon’s Munster intermediate hurling championship semi-final.
The Shannonsiders were too good for Tipp at the Gaelic Grounds, setting up a July 8 showdown against Cork with a seven-point victory that was far easier than the final scoreline suggests.
Griffin hit was excellent in the quarter-final victory over Clare, scoring 2-6, and the diminutive Adare man collected 0-5 today.
Morrissey added 1-3 from full-forward and Mike Fitzgibbon scored 0-3 for the Treaty men.
Mark Carmody was another to impress for Limerick, particularly in the second half, and U21 star Diarmuid Byrnes lofted over four points from placed balls.
For Tipperary, Adrian Ryan enjoyed some good moments as 2011 All-Ireland minor winning football captain Liam McGrath finished with 1-5, including a consolation goal in stoppage time.
Despite playing against the breeze from the start, Limerick were 1-10 to 0-7 clear.
The hosts raced into an early 0-6 to 0-0 lead before Tipperary scored their first point in the tenth minute, Liam McGrath on target with a free.
Tipp enjoyed some good spells throughout the first half, cutting the gap back to three points on two occasions, but were hampered by a tally of seven wides.
Limerick hit five of their own in the first half but inside forwards Griffin and senior panellist Tom Morrissey looked dangerous.
And it was Morrissey who scored the only goal of the first half on the stroke of half-time, tapping home from close range after Darragh Mooney saved Griffin’s shot.
Tipp replied with the final point of the half, another effort from McGrath, but Limerick were eleven points clear in the second half before goals from Kieran Morris and McGrath the score a little bit more respectable.
Limerick will play in their first Munster intermediate final since 2011 next month, as Tipperary bow out after contesting the last three provincial deciders.
Scorers for Limerick: Tom Morrissey 1-3, Willie Griffin 0-5 (2f), Diarmuid Byrnes 0-4 (3f, 1 65) Mark Carmody & Mike Fitzgibbon 0-3 each, Andrew Brennan 0-2, Robert O’Donnell, Tommy Quaid and Mike Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Liam McGrath 1-5 (0-4f), Kieran Morris 1-1 (0-1f), Adrian Ryan 0-4, David Butler, Davin Flynn & Justin Cahill 0-1 each.
Limerick
1. Brian Murray (Patrickswell)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Barry O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
4. Mike Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
5. Denis Moloney (Doon)
6. Diarmuid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
7. Barry Lynch (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
8. Robert O’Donnell (Pallasgreen)
9. Andrew Brennan (Caherline)
10. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
11. Kevin O’Brien (Patrickswell)
12. Mark Carmody (Patrickswell)
13. Willie Griffin (Adare)
14. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
15. Mike Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
Subs: 19. Mike Fitzgerald (Doon) for O’Donovan (45), 20. Jake Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for O’Brien (50), 17. Tommy Quaid (Effin) for Griffin (55), 21. Richie English (Doon) for Reidy (57).
Tipperary
1. Darragh Mooney (Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill)
2. Sean O’Brien (Newport)
3. Michéal Butler (Drom & Inch)
4. Tom Tracey (Cappawhite)
5. Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons)
6. John Coghlan Capt. (Moyne Templetuohy)
7. Willie Ryan (Clonakenny)
8. Liam Ryan (Drom & Inch)
9. Daire Quinn (Nenagh Éire Óg)
10. Paudie O’Dwyer (Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill)
11. Kieran Morris (Moycarkey-Borris)
12. David Butler (Drom & Inch)
13. Davin Flynn (Roscrea)
14. Adrian Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)
15. Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
Subs: 19. Justin Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Quinn (19), 23. Alan Maloney (Rockwell Rovers) for Flynn (42), 20. Kevin Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill) for Ryan (42), 17. Joe Carroll (Roscrea) for O’Dwyer (51).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
