Sport

Tipperary still on course for a clean sweep in Munster

MUNSTER UNDER-21 HURLING SEMI-FINAL/Tipperary 1-16 Limerick 1-11: TIPPERARY’S dream of a provincial clean sweep remains very…

Thu Jul 19 2012 - 01:00

MUNSTER UNDER-21 HURLING SEMI-FINAL/Tipperary 1-16 Limerick 1-11:TIPPERARY'S dream of a provincial clean sweep remains very much alive following last night's Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling semi-final victory over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

Tipp claimed a minor-senior double at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday – and now have U21 and intermediate finals to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Tipp were impressive as the holders challenge fell surprisingly flat in the second half of a tie watched by 5,186 spectators.

Tipp, who led 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time, outscored Limerick by 0-10 to 1-4 in the second half (Limerick’s goal coming in stoppage time from senior star Shane Dowling) to set up a final meeting with Clare or Waterford on August 8th.

READ MORE

In truth, Tipp could have won by more but Ken Hogan’s side registered 16 wides, 11 of those in the first half.

Tipp’s leading scorer John O’Dwyer, who finished with nine points (eight frees) kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely.

The roving Denis Maher who notched 1-3 was also a tower of strength for Tipp.

Limerick’s starting line-up contained six members of the senior squad for last Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier victory over Clare in their ranks but Tipp got off to a flier. Maher raced through for an early goal to help them rack up 1-3 in the opening nine minutes before Dowling opened Limerick’s account from a free.

Limerick outscored the visitors by 0-6 to 0-3 for the remainder of the half – Kevin Downes popping over two points from play and Dowling unerring from placed balls – as O’Dwyer’s accuracy from frees kept Tipperary in front.

O’Dwyer and Dowling matched each other point for point in the free-taking stakes – but the teams shared just four scores from play between them before half-time.

LIMERICK: A Murphy; A Dempsey, D Morrissey, S O’Reilly; T Ryan, D Hannon, R Egan; S Kenny, S O’Brien; S Dowling (1-8, six frees, two 65s), N Kennedy (0-1), M Carmody; M Ryan, K Downes (0-2), W Griffin. Subs: J Fitzgibbon for Griffin (29 mins), R O’Donnell for O’Brien (40 mins), M O’Connell for Kenny (47), A Breen for Carmody (55 mins).

TIPPERARY: Paul Ryan; S Maher, A Ryan, Pa Ryan; B Stapleton, W Ryan, J Cahill; D McCormack, N O’Meara; L McGrath (0-1), S Curran (0-1), D Maher (1-3); E Murray, C Hogan (0-1), J O’Dwyer (0-9, eight frees). Subs: J Forde (0-1) for Murray (ht), A McGrath for McCormack (58).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).