“Munster SHC: Limerick Reigns Supreme Over Tipperary, 2-27 Vs 0-18
Limerick overpowered Tipperary without breaking a sweat in their season opening championship feud. The game was fairly uneventful, lacking the typical fervour and excitement. The teams went toe-to-toe for most of the initial half, but Limerick managed to make a slip before the break, securing a lead they never lost. The inactivity of Tipperary proved no match for goals from Aaron Gillane and Peter Casey, despite the latter’s subsequent medical exit after scoring.
Before travelling to Cork in a fortnight, Limerick has a grace period, where they will undoubtedly hope for a more significant challenge than they encountered in this outing. The atmosphere lacked its usual energy, despite a decent turnout of approximately 33,475 spectators. While the initial 20 minutes went evenly enough, no particular player or instance called for enthusiastic cheering, which resulted in a pretty flat energy in Gaelic Grounds.
The game could have been mistaken for a disappointing misfire rather than an exciting showdown. Jason Forde blundered over a couple of 65s and a free, and Diarmaid Byrnes did much the same with his run of frees. This quiet afternoon was at odds with reports of thrilling games from other venues across the nation.
Kyle Hayes and Cathal O’Neill each scored, followed shortly by Ford and Mark Kehoe for Tipperary. By the first 25 minutes, things were even at 0-6, with this lethargic skirmish lacking any tangible sense of risk or excitement.”
The first opportunity for a goal arrived for Tipp, however Alan Tynan’s slightly over-arched pass to Seán Hayes was too cumbersome, allowing Nickie Quaid to rush out and neutralise the threat. This was a lucky escape for Limerick who capitalised on the chance they were given before the interval, with Gillane scoring three consecutive frees, and another from open play following Craig Morgan’s turnover. Right before halftime, Casey found the back of the net with an uncomplicated finish, securing a six-point lead for Limerick. A gap had formed between them, and it had taken a mere 10 minutes.
Forde’s free allowed Tipp to reduce Limerick’s lead down to five as they entered halftime. The struggle was far from over for Tipperary, who were hopeful of a turn of events, at least until the game resumed.
In the 15 minutes that followed the break, Limerick solidified their win. A successful shot by David Reidy was soon followed by Tom Morrissey and Will O’Donoghue. Despite Noel McGrath and Bonner Maher earning Tipp a point each after returning from the bench, Tipp seemed to be on shaky ground. A piece of bad luck sealed Tipp’s fate with a mishit free from Byrnes giving Limerick the breakthrough goal.
A set-up by Reidy allowed Gillane to pounce and fire a shot straight into the net. Casey, in the next five minutes, scored his first championship goal in five years, extending Limerick’s lead to 2-22 to 0-13. As he scored, he sustained a severe injury and had to be stretchered off the field.
The rest of the match was a series of scoring exercises for Limerick, with Adam English being notably adept at scoring, as he hit four consecutives shots. The match ended with Tipperary being unable to exert sufficient pressure on Limerick, who now have to regroup before facing Waterford at home next week.
In the Limerick line-up, we had Nickie Quaid, Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash, Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes, Will O’Donoghue, Cathal O’Neill, Gearóid Hegarty, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey, and Cian Lynch. Coming off the bench in substitution we saw Donncha Ó Dálaigh, Graeme Mulcahy, Adam English, Colin Coughlan, and Conor Boyland.
Representing Tipperary were Barry Hogan, Johnny Ryan, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan, Mikey Breen, Bryan O’Mara, Conor Bowe, Willie Connors, Eoghan Connolly, Alan Tynan, Gearóid O’Connor, Jason Forde, Jake Morris, Mark Kehoe, and Seán Hayes. Subbing in for Tipperary during the game were Noel McGrath, Patrick Maher, Andrew Ormond, Darragh Stakelum, and Seánie Kenneally. The match was refereed by Liam Gordon from Galway.