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Aaron Gillane in action for Limerick against Cathal Barrett. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Leading The Way

Gillane hits 2-6 as Limerick defeat Tipperary in Munster hurling battle to seal final place

A final against Waterford on Sunday 15 November awaits.

Limerick 3-23
Tipperary 2-17

IN GLORIOUS SUNSHINE in front of their home fans or toughing it out on miserable, rain-lashed afternoon in Cork.

The conditions do not interrupt Limerick’s relentless winning run as they again succeeded in a showdown with Tipperary today.

Aaron Gillane fired 2-6 and substitute Seamus Flanagan pounced for a third goal late on that acted as the insurance score for John Kiely’s side. They followed up last Sunday’s ten-point success over Clare with this nine-point victory over the 2019 All-Ireland champions. It sets them on course for another Munster final appearance, this time with Waterford lying in wait on 15 November.

And they are certainly a team in strong form as this 2020 winter hurling championship picks up pace.

The foundations here on a day marred by gusting winds and torrential showers were laid in the first half. At the break Limerick were in front 1-17 to 1-8, largely on the back of their dominance from the 19th minute on when they outscored Tipperary by 1-8 to 0-3.

Hurling against the gale in their first competitive outing in eight months, Tipperary had stuck to their task early on. They were down 0-7 to 0-4 by the first water break but then were lifted by the sublime vision and execution of Seamus Callanan to pick out Jake Morris for his 19th minute goal.

The Limerick response was swift and clinical, Gillane outfielding Ronan Maher at the other end before turning to boot a low shot to the corner past Brian Hogan. The points flowed thereafter for Limerick, they reeled off the last five of the half. 

Tipperary were reliant largely on Jason Forde’s free-taking for sustenance, he finished with ten, while Limerick had no shortage of point-takers in that opening period like the imperious Diarmaid Byrnes, Cian Lynch, Graeme Mulcahy, William O’Donoghue and Gearoid Hegarty.

pat-ryan-and-diarmuid-byrnes-celebrate Limerick players celebrate after the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Tipperary emerged fired up and knocked over the opening three points of the second half. Again Limerick responded with a powerful blast. Gillane struck 1-2, the middle score a penalty that he drilled home after Hegarty was fouled.

Nine points was the gap, 2-19 to 1-13, when they grabbed some second-half respite and Tipperary then got the benefit of some good fortune. Limerick protested at length that Noel McGrath had picked it off the ground before releasing his brother John to flick in a goal but referee Liam Gordon allowed it to stand after consulting with his match officials.

Michael Breen, impressive when introduced, set up Alan Flynn to snap over a point and suddenly Tipperary were 2-19 to 2-14 adrift and starting to envisage a revival.

Limerick soon quashed those beliefs. Flanagan, David Reidy and Pat Ryan all scored after entering the action, providing Kiely’s team with some added impetus. They had put themselves in a winning position before that late Flanagan goal to clinch another Munster final place and leave Tipperary to tune in to tomorrow’s qualifier draw.

niall-oomeara-and-gearoid-hegarty Tipperary's Niall O'Meara and Limerick's Gearoid Hegarty. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 2-6 (1-0 pen, 0-5f), Seamus Flanagan 1-1, Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3 (0-2f), Cian Lynch, William O’Donoghue, Gearoid Hegarty, Graeme Mulcahy, Tom Morrissey 0-2 each, Peter Casey, David Reidy, Pat Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-9 (0-9f), Jake Morris 1-1, John McGrath 1-0, Noel McGrath 0-2, Brendan Maher, Alan Flynn, Niall O’Meara, Michael Breen 0-1 each.

Limerick

1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)

2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
4. Barry Nash (South Liberties)

5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Declan Hannon (Adare)
11. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)

7. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
9. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)

10. Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
8. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
14. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
15. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)

Subs

25. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca) for Tom Morrissey (57)
21. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) for Mulcahy (58)
26. Pat Ryan (Doon) for O’Donovan (63)
20. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh) for Hegarty (69)

Tipperary

1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)

2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
5. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
4. Seán O’Brien (Newport)

6. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
3. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)

9. Alan Flynn (Kiladangan)
11. Jason Forde (Silvermines)

8. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
13. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
12. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

15. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
14. Séamus Callanan (Drom-Inch)
10. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

Subs

22. Michael Breen (Ballina) for Kehoe (45)
20. John Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney) for Padraic Maher (51)
18. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) for O’Meara (53)
21. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule) for Morris (60)
23. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens) for Heffernan (inj) (68)

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

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The42 GAA Weekly is here! Join hosts Shane Dowling and Marc Ó Sé as they preview Tipperary v Limerick, Donegal v Tyrone, and the rest of the weekend’s action:


The42 Podcasts / SoundCloud

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