By Cian O'Connell

A Munster Championship that provided so much joy initially for Tipperary ended in deep disappointment at the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy acknowledged that Limerick were deserving winners following a powerful second period display.

"Yeah, we probably didn’t flow in the first half either if we were to be honest," Sheedy acknowledged.  "We went in losing by two points, probably still in the game. They got a few early scores in the second half, goal gave us a bit of a life-line.

"They went six ahead again. We got the chance, Seamie (Callanan) was very unlucky, shot saved that could have brought it back to three. But ultimately Brian Hogan was the busier of the two goalies all the way through."

Limerick's cocktail of physicality and pace proved to be decisive. "We just didn’t really find our flow," Sheedy added. "You have to credit Limerick for that. They brought all the energy, we lacked energy in every sector of the pitch. 

"Brendan Maher and Ronan Maher in front of me were outstanding all day. But ultimately we lost too many individual battles. Therefore, overall we lost the war. But full credit to Limerick, they are a fine side. 

"We knew they would up it a gear. But they went up a fair few gears. They just seemed to have more energy than us on the pitch. My lads, overall in Munster, four times they have gone to battle, and four times they have done very well. Just we came up short, but we came up well short."

Regarding Cathal Barrett's hamstring injury, Sheedy stated that the decision on his participation wasn't taken until near throw-in. “Yeah, it was touch and go," Sheedy revealed. "He trained fully on Friday night but there was the risk with fatigue that he would end up doing damage and if he does damage you run the risk of him being gone from the Championship. 

"We weighed it up and we decided it against late on and we left in late on. But you have to say Brendan Maher what a player, what a contribution from him. I thought the way he went for that ball in the inside line was a joy to watch the ball as coming in a lot and he did heroically. 

"Overall it wasn't about any one player as a group we just didn't bring the energy and the fight that we normally bring to battle, we have to learn from that when you come in against top-class opposition and you don't have the fight or the energy you are going to be in trouble."