ALL-IRELAND champions Tipperary were comfortable if not altogether convincing winners over Limerick in an entertaining Munster under-21 hurling championship tie at Thurles last evening.

A purple patch from the 16th to the 24th minutes of the first half decided the tie. Tipperary, aided by the breeze, had struggled to assert themselves but in that eight minutes, with senior star Liam Cahill operating to good effect at midfield, they shot eight points without reply and went on to lead at half time by 0-11 to 0-4.