The Munster senior hurling championship takes centre stage this afternoon. It’s our first chance to have a look at the hurlers of Tipperary and Limerick in action in the Gaelic Grounds for their provincial semi-final tie. Throw-in at 4pm and we’re starting the build-up to the game.

Here’s some pre-match reading for you.

• A guide to today’s showdown in the Gaelic Grounds here.
• Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan is looking to make his mark for the Premier in attack.
• 6 things to know about Tipperary’s 27 year-old championship debutant Kieran Bergin.
• Lucky 13: Questions for Limerick’s Declan Hannon.

Here’s the Limerick team that is selected to start this afternoon.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Stephen Walsh (Glenroe), Richie McCarthy (Blackrock), Tom Condon (Knockaderry); Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock), Wayne McNamara (Adare), Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock); Paul Browne (Bruff), Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry): David Breen (Na Piarsaigh), James Ryan (Garryspillane), Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher); Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Declan Hannon (Adare), Seanie Tobin (Murroe-Boher).

And here’s the Tipperary team that is named to start in the match.

TIPPERARY: Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange); Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Paul Curran (Mullinahone), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); Kieran Bergin (Killenaule), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch) (Captain); Jason Forde (Silvermines), Patrick Maher (Lorrha and Dorrha). John O’Brien (Toomevara); Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).

We’ll let you know if there’s any late pre-match changes.

Tipperary boss Eamonn O’Shea has handed championship debuts to Kieran Bergin from Killenaule in defence and Jason Forde from Silvermines in attack.

There’s an interesting sub-plot tot his game involving Forde as he captained Nenagh CBS to the All-Ireland senior hurling colleges title last year. The manager of that Nenagh CBS team was Donach O’Donnell who is training the Limerick side. Here’s the thoughts of both O’Donnell and Forde.

Tipperary’s Jason Forde.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Brian Gavin of Offaly is the referee for today’s game.

Can Limerick spring a surprise today? They have the benefit of home advantage and will be hoping to build on the promise they showed last year against Tipperary. Limerick lost that Munster quarter-final tie by 2-20 to 1-19 but at one juncture early in the second-half, they had lead by 1-15 to 1-8 in Semple Stadium.

Limerick manager John Allen
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

There’s a late change on the Tipperary side as Jason Forde is ruled out through illness and Pa Bourke is in. Lar Corbett is added to the substitutes.

Here’s the Tipperary substitutes list for today’s game:

Darren Gleeson (Portroe), James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Tomas Hamill (Killea), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone), Donagh Maher (Burgess), Conor O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty), John O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Brian O’Meara (Kilruane McDonagh’s), Thomas Stapleton (Templederry), James Woodlock (Drom-Inch)

And here’s the Limerick substitutes list:

Aaron Murphy (Hospital-Herbertstown), Mark Carmody (Patrickswell), Cathal King (Na Piarsaigh), Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Conor Allis (Croom), Niall Moran (Murroe-Boher), Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh), Paudie Aherne (Kilteely/Dromkeen), Thomas Quaid (Effin), Tom Ryan (South Liberties).

Paudie O’Brien, Seamus Hickey and Declan Hannon are the only three new faces from the Limerick side that took on Tipperary last summer.

Donal O’Grady and Seanie Tobin return to the fold too, having missed out on the climax to the Treaty’s league campaign against Dublin.

We’ve already seen this afternoon a Division 1A team Kilkenny defeat a Division 1B side Offaly. Will the league campaigns be a factor in the Gaelic Grounds? Tipperary the beaten finalists in Division 1A face Limerick the beaten finalists in Division 1B.

It’s a warm day in Limerick and we’re nearly set for throw-in for a game that carries great potential.

Tipperary’s bench was a key factor in swinging the game their way last year and they have some great talent in reserve like Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett and Conor O’Brien.

But Limerick look stronger this year as well with Niall Moran, Shane Dowling and Kevin Downes all on the bench.

The positioning of Declan Hannon is extremely interesting for Limerick this afternoon. Centre-back for Mary Immaculate College in the Fitzgibbon Cup, wing-forward for the county U21 side last Friday but he is picked to start at full-forward today.

For Tipperary, manager Eamonn O’Shea will be hoping for a greater attacking return this afternoon. Recently in their league final, he withdrew four attackers during the match against Kilkenny.

Tipperary boss Eamonn O’Shea.

The National Anthem is currently being played in the Gaelic Grounds.

We’re almost set to go.

Limerick 0-1 Tipperary 0-0: 1 mins – Great point by Limerick captain Donal O’Grady as he charged through the Tipperary defence. Beautiful pass by Sean Tobin to create that chance.

Foul on Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan and a free in for the Premier. A furious start to this game.

Tipperary 0-1 Limerick 0-1: 3 mins – Callanan dusts himself down and converts the free to get Tipperary off the mark.

Limerick 0-2 Tipperary 0-1: 4 mins – Limerick edge back in front courtesy of James Ryan after Graeme Mulcahy did brilliantly to dispossess Conor O’Mahony.

Free for Tipperary after Shane Bourke is tripped.

Limerick working very hard as Callanan spurns the chance to convert that placed ball for Tipperary.

Declan Hannon comes outfield but lashes a long-range free wide for Limerick.

Limerick 0-3 Tipperary 0-1: 8 mins – Hannon makes amends with a good point from play after being picked out by teammate Sean Tobin. Limerick have started really brightly here.

Limerick’s Declan Hannon

Limerick 0-3 Tipperary 0-2: 10 mins – Callanan fires over his second point of the game, again from a placed ball.

Limerick 0-4 Tipperary 0-2: 11 mins – Limerick have gone two points clear again with Declan Hannon converting a placed ball.

Shot by David Breen from the right wing for Limerick goes away for their third wide of the game.

Bad mistake by Brendan Cummins as his puck out for Tipperary goes out over the sideline.

Brilliant save by Nicky Quaid in the Limerick goal to deny Seamus Callanan from finding the net for Tipperary.

And Quaid diverted the ball around the post for a ’65 that was missed by Tipperary’s Pa Bourke.

Limerick’s work rate has been huge in the early stages as they continue to successfully pressurize Tipperary in possession.

Limerick 0-5 Tipperary 0-3: 17 mins – Declan Hannon bangs over a long-range free after Noel McGrath fouled Seamus Hickey. John O’Brien has just pulled a point back for Tipperary.

Goal for Limerick from Seanie Tobin!

Limerick 1-5 Tipperary 0-3: 19 mins – The home fans are in full voice after Murroe-Boher club man Seanie Tobin whips the ball to the net after it broke off David Breen and Tobin shot past a crowded goalmouth to the corner.

Limerick 1-6 Tipperary 0-4: 21 mins – The teams have traded points with Tipperary’s Pa Bourke and Limerick’s David Breen both on target.

Fantastic save again from Nicky Quaid to deny Pa Bourke from finding the net for Tipperary.

Limerick’s Nicky Quaid.

Another goal chance for Tipperary as Seamus Callanan’s mazy run through culminates with him batting the ball but it rolls across the goal and wide.

Limerick 1-6 Tipperary 0-5: 25 mins – Wonderful point by John O’Brien as he raises his second white flag of the game for Tipperary.

Half a goal chance for Limerick but Declan Hannon fails to connect with the ball as it ran clear on the ground close to goal and Tipperary cleared their lines.

Limerick 1-6 Tipperary 0-6: 27 mins – At the other end Seamus Callanan fires over a free for Tipperary after Pa Bourke was fouled.

Limerick 1-6 Tipperary 0-7: 28 mins – A third consecutive point for the Premier as Noel McGrath finds his range.

Limerick 1-7 Tipperary 0-7: 30 mins – Important point for Limerick as Declan Hannon converts a free.

Still three points between the sides as Brendan Maher shoots wide for Tipperary.

HALF-TIME: Limerick 1-7 Tipperary 0-7: That’s how it stands at the break with Limerick leading by three points as Seanie Tobin’s goal separates the sides.

We’ll be back shortly with the second-half action.

It will be interesting to see if Limerick can maintain this control. Last year they were in the driving seat until the halfway point of the second-half when they lead by seven points. But then Tipperary dominated the closing exchanges to claim victory.

The conditions are going to be a factor with the heat bound to affect the players involved. Substitutes on both sides could be key.

The ball is about to be thrown in for the start of the second-half.

One change at the break for Tipperary as John O’Dwyer replaces Shane Bourke in attack.

Limerick 1-8 Tipperary 0-7: 36 mins – Declan Hannon gets Limerick off to a good start with a pointed free after Sean Tobin was fouled.

Limerick 1-8 Tipperary 0-9: 38 mins – Great start for substitute John O’Dwyer on his senior championship debut as he notches two quick points from play.

Limerick 1-8 Tipperary 0-10: 40 mins – John O’Dwyer on the mark again for Tipperary.

Limerick 1-9 Tipperary 0-10: 40 mins – But captain Donal O’Grady hits back with a great long-range effort for Limerick.

Limerick 1-9 Tipperary 0-11: 42 mins – Seamus Callanan holds his nerve to launch over a great free for Tipperary.

Conor Allis comes in for Limerick instead of David Breen.

Eoin Kelly is on to the Tipperary team to replace Pa Bourke.

Limerick 1-9 Tipperary 0-12: 46 mins – Fantastic score by Tipperary’s John O’Brien to tie the teams.

Brian O’Meara replaces Seamus Callanan in the Tipperary team.

Tipperary 0-13 Limerick 1-9: 48 mins – Vice captain Brendan Maher shoots Tipperary in front.

Shane Dowling comes in for Seamus Hickey on the Limerick side.

Goal for Tipperary by John O’Dwyer!

Tipperary 1-13 Limerick 1-9: 50 mins – Fantastic strike by O’Dwyer to the net. He’s made a brilliant contribution since he came on.

Tipperary 1-13 Limerick 1-11: 51 mins – Limerick fight back through points from Tobin and Hannon.

Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 1-11: 52 mins – Substitute Eoin Kelly grabs his first point of the game for Tipperary.

Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 1-12: 53 mins – Hannon converts another free for Limerick.

Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 1-13: 54 mins – Hannon again on target from a placed ball as he cuts the gap to the minimum.

Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 1-14: 56 mins – Shane Dowling ties the teams with a great point for Limerick.

Just over 10 minutes to go as the teams are tied. Exciting stuff in the Gaelic Grounds.

Great goal chance for Limerick but Brendan Cummins denies Seanie Tobin and then James Ryan’s shot is blocked from the rebound.

Bad miss for Limerick as Declan Hannon misses a straightforward free after Donal O’Grady was fouled.

Niall Moran onto the Limerick team for Sean Tobin.

Limerick 1-15 Tipperary 1-14: 63 mins – Limerick hit the front with a monster free from distance by Shane Dowling.

Limerick 1-16 Tipperary 1-14: 63 mins – And another point for Limerick, this time from substitute Niall Moran.

Conor O’Brien onto the Tipperary team in defence.

Yellow card for Stephen Walsh, bad foul on Brendan Maher that has injured the Tipperary midfielder.

Limerick 1-16 Tipperary 1-15: 65 mins – Eoin Kelly converts a free for Tipperary after Maher is fouled.

Pa Bourke back on the Tipperary team for the injured Brendan Maher.

Cathal King replaces Paul Browne on the Limerick team.

Conor O’Brien replaced Shane McGrath on the Tipperary side.

Lar Corbett is onto the Tipperary side actually, it’s not Pa Bourke.

Three minutes left.

Conor O’Brien shoots wide for Tipperary.

Kevin Downes onto the Limerick team for James Ryan.

A minute of normal time left.

Limerick 1-17 Tipperary 1-15: 70 mins – Donal O’Grady points for Limerick.

John O’Brien strikes a wide for Tipperary as the game goes into injury-time.

Limerick 1-18 Tipperary 1-15: 72 mins – Declan Hannon point for Limerick.

FULL-TIME: Limerick 1-18 Tipperary 1-15: A three point win for Limerick!

A huge upset in the Gaelic Grounds as Limerick qualify for the 2013 Munster senior hurling championship final.

That is a big win for Limerick and their first victory in the Munster championship since they beat Tipperary after a three-game saga in 2007.

Big scenes of celebration as the home fans invade the pitch.

John Allen’s side have suffered big disappointments over the last couple of years in being defeated in the last two Division 1B hurling league finals against Clare last year and Dublin this year. Then in the 2012 Munster championship, they were overturned by Tipperary after having lead at one stage by seven points in that game.

But today is a day of glory for the Shannonsiders as their young players made a notable statement on the senior stage. A very deserving victory for the home side as they finished powerfully. With 18 minutes remaining Limerick trailed by 1-14 to 1-11 but they outscored Tipperary by seven points to one in the closing stages.

For Tipperary that defeat is a major setback in Eamonn O’Shea’s first championship game in charge. Munster champions in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012, they have now bowed out at the provincial stage at the first hurdle in 2013.

It looked like Tipperary would storm to success after John O’Dwyer smashed home a brilliant second-half goal. The Killenaule club man made an excellent contribution when introduced but Tipperary did not get the same return elsewhere in their attack as they were overwhelmed by Limerick’s greater desire. In addition Limerick’s substitutes made a great impact with Shane Dowling and Niall Moran notching crucial scores.

Limerick full-back Richie McCarthy has been named man-of-the-match. His display was indicative of the defensive prowess that Limerick exhibited on the day.

Limerick now advance to the provincial final on July 14th, their first senior hurling decider since 2007 when they lost out to Waterford. Before that they lost out to Tipperary in the 2001 final and they have to go back to 1996 for their last Munster senior hurling title when they defeated Tipperary after a replay.

Limerick will face Clare or Cork in that Munster final. The Rebels meet the Banner on June 23rd.

Tipperary go into the All-Ireland qualifiers now. They were billed as strong All-Ireland contenders before this game but must now attempt to regroup after this setback. Of course Tipperary did turn around their season in 2010 when they lost their Munster championship opener and wound up All-Ireland champions by the end of the season.

Tipperary will be back out in action again on July 6th in Phase II of the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers when they will meet one of the beaten Leinster semi-finalists. One of those last four clashes takes place next Sunday as Galway face Laois. While the other Leinster semi-final will see Kilkenny meet either Dublin or Wexford, who replay next weekend.

Here’s the scorers from today’s game:

LIMERICK: Declan Hannon 0-9 (0-7f), Sean Tobin 1-1, Donal O’Grady 0-3, Shane Dowling 0-2 (0-1f), Niall Moran 0-1, James Ryan 0-1, David Breen 0-1.

TIPPERARY: John O’Dwyer 1-3, Seamus Callanan 0-4 (0-4f), John O’Brien 0-3, Eoin Kelly 0-2 (0-1f), Pa Bourke 0-1, Noel McGrath 0-1, Brendan Maher 0-1.

That’s all from us this afternoon, thanks for joining us and for all your comments.