Referee Chris Mooney with captains Cian Lynch, Limerick, and Ronan Maher, Tipperary. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Limerick 0-30 Tipperary 1-23
By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds
A run of late scores saw Limerick pull clear of Munster rivals Tipperary and collect a maiden victory in their Allianz Division 1A campaign. Two points from the outstanding Diarmaid Byrnes wrestled control for the men in green, who add to their draw against Cork last weekend.It was a first League game on home soil for John Kiely’s men since the spring of 2023, and a first Limerick appearance since July 2019 for Shane Dowling, who has been remoulded as a goalkeeper.
Tipperary, for all their industry, succumbed to a second half avalanche, as they lost the second period 0-15 to 0-9. It is a worrying trend in this neighbourly fixture in recent years.
A bumper 11,213 strong crowd made the trip to the Ennis Road, with the majority thrilled to see the hosts prevail.
The sides were level three times in the opening dozen minutes – with the first twelve scores shared by eleven different players. Among the scores were Alan Tynan and Jake Morris for the Premier County, but Limerick then went on a run of scores as David Reidy, Diarmaid Brynes and Aidan O’Connor put them into a three point advantage.
This high volume of scores was in part due to only two frees being awarded in the first 15 minutes – on each – as the side played some high quality passing and defenders unable to stay with the runners. This was illustrated by a fine Adam English effort after great running by Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, who found the Doon man 25 metres out.
Tipperary retook the lead when Seanie Kenneally plundered a most magnificent goal to the top corner. He doubled on a Darragh McCarthy hand pass to score a brilliant goal.
Three of the next four points went to the visitors as Morris, his third, Keanneally and then Gearoid O’Connor pointing the way. Diarmaid Byrnes and Aidan O’Connor again on target to keep Limerick close – Ballybrown man O’Connor dominant in his match-up against Seamus Kennedy.
By half-time the sides had been level with an Alan Tynan point from distance the difference at the break 1-13 to 0-15 in favour of Liam Cahill’s men. Kyle Hayes left the action early through injury for the Treaty.
Three on the trot to start the half saw Limerick retake the lead and while Tipp restored parity once more, there was to be no turning back once David Reidy put Limerick back in charge.
Kenneally and Darragh McCarthy had a great goalscoring opportunity on 48 minutes, but with Kennally’s weak effort saved by Dowling, McCarthy was unable to connect with the rebound and the ball was scrambled clear.
Gillane, Byrnes and defender Ethan Hurley all accounted for late points with McCarthy frees the main avenue for scores for the away outfit during the second half. Placed balls from the Toomevara native accounted for each of the last six blue and gold scores.It is a first Limerick win of 2025 and adds to their draw secured on away soil. With three home games still to come, John Kiely’s men will be optimistic about reaching a league final. Tipperary will be content with four points from three outings, following victories over Galway and Wexford.
Scorers for Limerick: Diarmaid Byrnes 0-7 (3fs), Aidan O’Connor 0-5, Aaron Gillane 0-4 (3fs), David Reidy, Adam English, Paddy O’Donovan 0-3 each, Ethan Hurley, Cian Lynch 0-2 each; Eddie Stokes 0-1.Scorers for Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-9 (9fs), Sean Kenneally 1-3, Jake Morris 0-4, Alan Tynan 0-3, Willie Connors, Michael Breen, Bryan O’Mara, Gearoid O’Connor 0-1 each.
Limerick: Shane Dowling; Fergal O’Connor, Dan Morrissey, Barry Murphy; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Colin Coughlan; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Eddie Stokes, David Reidy, Aidan O’Connor; Aaron Gillane, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Patrick O’Donovan.
Subs: Ethan Hurley for Hayes (inj – 24); Micháel Houlihan for Ó Dálaigh (47); Hugh Flangan for Stokes (66); Dylan Lynch for O’Donovan (68).
Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen; Seamus Kennedy, Ronan Maher, Bryan O’Mara; Willie Connors, Craig Morgan; Gearoid O’Connor, Jake Morris, Alan Tynan; Darragh Stakelum, Sean Kenneally, Darragh McCarthy.
Subs: Brian McGrath for Kennedy (46); Conor Bowe for Stakelum (46); Michael Corcoran for Morgan (57); John McGrath for O’Connor (64); Johnny Ryan for Connors (64).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).
