Tipperary had little difficulty in overcoming Limerick in a one-sided semi-final at Thurles yesterday. With eight of their senior squad in the side, Tipperary were hotly fancied and they lost no time in asserting their superiority. They had a goal from Eugene O'Neill after seven minutes as they went 1-4 to 0-4 clear. Limerick got a lucky break in the 15th minute when a Barry Foley shot from 50 yards dropped from Tipperary goalkeeper Fergal Horgan's hand into the net. Their joy was short-lived as Tipperary quickly gained the initiative and, helped by a Liam Cahill goal in the 24th minute, they led 2-11 to 1-4 at the interval.

Little changed after the interval as Tipperary extended their lead with a succession of points and a Michael Kennedy goal in the 47th minute put them in an unassailable position. John Enright had a further goal to round off an impressive performance. This was an excellent showing by Tipperary, marked by top class displays from John Enright, Michael Kennedy, William Maher, Eugene O'Neill, Liam Cahill and William Hickey.

Tipperary: F Horgan; T Costello, P Maher, W Hickey; E Corcoran, J Carroll, D Fogarty; W Maher (0-1), P Rabbitte; P Kelly (0-1), L Cahill (1-0), K Dunne (0-1); J Enright (1-8), E O'Neill (1-2), M Kennedy (1-3). Subs: J Cotterell for Horgan, S Hickey for Corcoran, D Foley for Costello.

Limerick: F Kenzie; N Murphy, W O'Brien, P Kennedy; P Carey, D Cremin, D Ryan (0-1); D Costello, P Cahill; Barry Foley (1-2), J Cormican, J Kelleher (0-1); B Foley, M O'Brien (0-2), N Hayes. Subs: J O'Brien for P Kennedy, B Crowe (0-1) for W O'Brien, J Butler (0-1) for N Hayes.

Referee: G Harrington (Cork).