Round-up: Electric Ireland Munster MHC action
A general view of FBD Semple Stadium. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Munster MHC
Tipperary 4-20 Clare 3-19
Waterford 1-17 Limerick 1-14
Tipperary and Waterford got their Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship campaigns off to winning starts with tight victories over Clare and Limerick.
The Premier came out on top of a seven-goal thriller, led by Chris Dunne's 1-8 (1-2 from play). Ben Talty scored 2-9 (1-2 from play) in defeat. Talty opened Clare’s account with an early penalty after Max Sheehan was fouled, but Tipp exploited the wind to leap six clear. Zach O’Keeffe bundled to the net for 1-7 to 1-1.
Talty lashed home to bring Clare back within one score, and that remained the gap at half-time, 1-11 to 2-5.
Just as Clare were closing in with four consecutive points, Tipp hammered home two goals in two minutes. O’Keeffe netted his second before KJ Dunne turned from creator to finisher for 3-16 to 2-13.
Clare peeled off another four-point run before Connall Morrisson and Chris Dunne steadied Tipp. Even then, James O’Donnell’s rebound goal brought Clare back within two.
However, KJ Dunne laid on the clincher for Chris Dunne to secure a four-point win.
Meanwhile, Waterford emerged with a 1-17 to 1-14 victory over Limerick in front of 1,329 fans at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
They were deadlocked after an even first half ended with Gavin O’Brien’s goal to bring Limerick level - 0-11 to 1-8.
Waterford struck the killer blow approaching the three-quarter mark as Cian Delaney whipped the sliotar home.
Dylan Murphy (0-10, 3 frees) and Ronan Molumphy (0-4) ensured they would take the spoils despite the best efforts of Limerick free-taker Shane Waters (0-7).
