Bord Gáis Energy Munster U-21 Hurling Semi-Final

Tipperary 2-12 Limerick 1-13

By Jackie Cahill at Semple Stadium, Thurles

William Maher’s Tipperary have ended Limerick’s reign as Bord Gáis Energy Munster and All-Ireland U21 hurling kingpins.

The Premier County scored a gritty two-point victory in this evening’s provincial last-four tie at Semple Stadium. Played out in front of 4,020 spectators, Tipp had excellent contributions off the bench from Ronan Teehan (1-1) and Jason Ryan (0-2) as Maher’s changes paid off.

Senior footballer Josh Keane added four points, including three frees, while Andrew Coffey chipped in with a 1-1 for the winners.

This was a disappointing night for Limerick, whose titles were ripped from their grasp, but it’s the end of a dream week for Tipp, following last Sunday’s Munster minor and senior double.

The game was very much in the melting pot in the second half but Teehan’s 58th-minute goal was crucial, opening up a 2-11 to 0-12 lead in greasy conditions. But there were late nerves jangling for Tipp as Limerick captain Darragh O’Donovan slammed home a smashing late goal in the final minute.

That man Teehan responded with a point, before Ronan Lynch’s ninth free for Limerick concluded the scoring.Referee Cathal McAllister sounded his final whistle from the next puck-out as Tipp moved into a July 27 showdown against Waterford, who will start as favourites following Wednesday’s demolition job on Clare.

The lead changed hands six times in the opening half, as Limerick went in 0-8 to 1-4 in front. The only goal of the first half went to Tipperary, and Coffey, as he netted in the 28th minute. The Nenagh man shot across the boughs of Eoghan McNamara to reward some good approach work from Conor Lanigan and Stephen Quirke, a dual minor last year.

But Limerick had seven wides in the first half, many of them long-range efforts but still from scoreable positions. And those misses came back to haunt the Treaty men in the second half, as Tipp found an extra gear when it was required.

Lanigan almost found the net for Tipp early in the second half but McNamara pulled off a fine save. But that second goal did come late on and while O’Donovan hit back at the Killinan End, Tipp had the spadework done and march on to a first Munster U21 final since 2013.

Scorers for Tipperary: A Coffey 1-2, R Teehan 1-1, J Keane 0-4 (3f), C Lanigan & J Ryan 0-2 each, M Russell 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: R Lynch 0-9f, D O’Donovan 1-0, P Ryan, B Nash, T Morrissey & Seamus Flanagan 0-1 each.

**TIPPERARY: **B Hogan; P Maher, T Fox, D Sweeney; J Shelly, R Maher, S Ryan; B McCarthy, W Connors; S Quirke, B Heffernan, A Coffey; J Keane, C Lanigan, M Russell. Subs: J Ryan for Connors (47), P Ryan for Lanigan (48), R Teehan for Keane (55), T Nolan for McCarthy (59)

LIMERICK: E McNamara; M Casey, R English, Sean Flanagan; C Ryan, C Lynch, A La-Touche Cosgrave; D O’Donovan, P Ryan; R Lynch, B Nash, D Dempsey; P Casey, T Morrissey, Seamus Flanagan. Subs: B Murphy for Nash (temp 25-h.t.), O O’Reilly for Casey (43), L Lyons for Morrissey (43), B Murphy for Seamus Flanagan (45), J Quaid for La Touche Cosgrave (58)

Referee: C McAllister (Cork).