PHEW! LAST WEEK the Munster hurling championship roared back into life with the epic draw between Waterford and Cork at Semple Stadium. This weekend, Limerick and Tipp held up their end of the bargain with another dramatic day in Thurles. Here’s how the weekend happened.
History boys
Limerick won their first Munster senior hurling championship game against Tipperary in Thurles since 1973. That year the Treaty went on to win the All-Ireland. They haven’t won it since. Omen?
It was a game that perhaps took a while to get going but reached championship pitch in a thrilling second half. Plenty of goals, a controversial refereeing decision, quality scores and the return of star cast members like Lar Corbett.
Limerick haven’t won two provincial crowns in a row since 1981 but they’re one victory away from a successful defence of their Munster title. Well deserved.
Premier ambition
So what now for Tipperary? If the Premier are to lift the Liam MacCarthy this September they’ll have taken the scenic route. ”You have to play the cards that you’re dealt and we’ve been dealt the qualifiers,” Eamonn O’Shea said afterwards. “But we’re still here.”
Ger Loughnane and Tomás Mulcahy were in agreement last night on The Sunday Game though; Tipp need to toughen up if they’re to play deep into the season.
Back with a bang
Seamus Hickey played his first competitive game for Limerick since tearing his cruciate in last August’s All-Ireland semi-final. It’s a nice way to make your comeback with the insurance point in a famous win for Limerick.
Backwards steps
What about this crucial, individual effort form Shane Dowling to tie it up late on? What a great finish.
‘No one trick ponies’
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One Cork hurler had more pressing matters to deal with today however
Coughlan’s Rebels teammate Paudie Sullivan played his first championship game with the club since breaking his tibula and fibula last year, meanwhile.
Feet up
Like lots of us yesterday, Shane Lowry made sure he was back on the couch in time for the Sunday Game.
Drama in Portlaoise
Laois almost pulled of a famous win in the Leinster hurling championship but ultimately, Galway got over the line. O’Moore Park saw the hosts lead throughout the game before Anthony Cunningham’s outfit got out of Portaloise with a 1-22 to 0-23 win. Their reward? A provincial semi-final against the winners of Kilkenny and Offaly next weekend.
Northern exposure
Wexford ran rampant against Antrim, winning by a scoreline of 5-19 to 21 points. The northern side’s fate was more or less sealed when they conceded three goals within the first 10 minutes or so. Wexford now take on Dublin.
Quote of the day
“We go again – it’s a bit like Liverpool” – Limerick manager, TJ Ryan.
You do know what happened next, TJ?
Stat attack
“Tipperary, undefeated in Munster from 2011 to 2012, have failed to win a match in the province in 2013 and 2014.” – @hurlingstats
Star student
Colin O’Riordan made his senior championship debut for the Tipperary footballers on Saturday night at wing-back. O’Riordan was a three-year Tipperary minor and won an All-Ireland medal as a 16 year-old in 2011. He’s another test next Wednesday, starting his Leaving Cert exams in Our Lady’s Templemore.
No blanket here
- Ulster football has drawn criticism from commentators in recent years because of the preceived cynicism and defensiveness of some of it’s teams. Antrim and Fermanagh did their best to start a rebranding of the championship however with a pulsating clash at Brewster Park. The Saffron ended up shocking Fermanagh with a 2-18 to 3-13 win.
Long time waiting
Tipperary won their first Munster senior football championship game since 2003. In 2005, Paul Fitzgerald and Brian Mulvihill both lined out when they lost to Kerry in the Munster opener. Yesterday at the 10th attempt, both finally tasted success in the championship arena.
Perfect strangers
Kerry and Kildare will meet in Croke Park next Saturday afternoon in the Christy Ring Cup final. It’ll be a big day for the county’s hurling teams and marks a rare enough meeting at headquarters between the counties. The last time they faced off at a senior game at the venue was in 1998, Micko’s Kildare defeating Páidi’s Kerry in an All-Ireland semi final.
Kingdom come
There was a surprise in Kerry on Sunday evening with Dr Crokes losing to Rathmore by five points in the county championship. The defeat brings to an end a run of 20 wins in a row for the Killarney side.
Next up
As well as that novel hurling pairing at HQ, there’s another mouth-watering slate of games. The Rossies taking on Mayo at Dr Hyde Park in the Connacht SFC semi-final and Sky Sports’ debut at Nowlan Park for Kilkenny v Offaly are two standout ties.
What did you make of this weekend’s action?
