A general view of FBD Semple Stadium. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
oneills.com Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Round 1
Limerick 2-13 Tipperary 0-17
By Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium
A 58th minute goal from sub Mark O’Brien proved to be the key score as Limerick upset defending champions Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship.
Tipperary were hot favourites going into the game, boasting five senior panellists including Darragh McCarthy, who was superb scoring 11 points, four from play, but apart from Conor Martin and Adam Daly got little support in the scoring stakes.
It was the visitors who got off to the much livelier start with the first three points inside six minutes from Hugh Flanagan (two frees) and one from play from Fintan Fitzgerald. Tipp defender Podge O’Dwyer also was forced to make a superb hook to deny Matthew Fitzgerald a possible goal as a sluggish home side took time to get going, 10 minutes in before registering their first score from Conor Martin.
Points from Cathal English and Darragh McCarthy (free) levelled it up before Limerick asserted themselves once more with Robert O’Farrell and Flanagan on target once more.
Tipp were working off limited possession, but made the best of it with Adam Daly, Paddy McCormack and McCarthy bringing them level before Daly gave them their first lead on 27 minutes.
Limerick responded with two quickfire Tadhg Boddy points with a Darragh McCarthy free the final score off the half from a 65 after Senan Butler had been denied by a last ditch John Murray block.
Tipp started the second half strongly with Darragh McCarthy converting two frees, but Limerick showed they weren’t going to yield as another Matthew Fitzgerald solo this time resulted in a goal on 34 minutes.
Limerick’s workrate and application was immense all through as they never allowed Tipp to get into any flow as the sides went score for score until the last 10 minutes when the home side looked to have made their move when McCarthy and Martin pointed from play.
However, Limerick came again, and their persistence was rewarded when after Robert O’Farrell was denied a goal by the post, they forced a free which Hugh Flanagan converted before more tigerish work by the Limerick forwards led to O’Brien’s lead goal.
In the three minutes of added time, Tipp only managed one further score from Darragh McCarthy as the holders are now under pressure to qualify ahead of heading to Cork for round two on Wednesday week.
Scorers for Limerick: Hugh Flanagan 0-6 (6fs), Matthew Fitzgerald, Mark O’Brien 1-0; Tadhg Boddy, Robert O’Farrell, Fintan Fitzgerald 0-2 each; Dan Scully 0-1.
Scorers for Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-11 (6fs, 1 65), Conor Martin, Adam Daly 0-2 each, Cathal English, Paddy McCormack 0-1 each.
Limerick: Fionn O’Brien (Bruree); Dan Scully (Dromin Athlacca), Sean Casey (Bruff), John Murray (Patrickswell); Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh), Aidan O’Connell (Doon), Darragh Langan (Monaleen); Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), James Finn (Na Piarsaigh); Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Donal Coughlan (Doon); Tadhg Boddy (Dromin Athlacca), Ruairi O’Connor (Feenagh Kilmeedy), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul’s).
Subs: Conor Rickard (Ahane) for Brosnan (17-22 HIA); Dara Ferland (Monaleen) for Coughlan (40); Mark O’Brien (Mungret St Paul’s) for O’Connor (48); Sean Duff (Mungret St Paul’s) for Finn (54); Barry Adams (Ballybrown) for Boddy (57).
Tipperary: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams); Podge O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Aaron O’Halloran (Carrick Swan), Jack Quinlan (Fethard); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Eire Og, Capt), Jack O’Callaghan (Portroe); Paddy Phelan (Upperchurch/Drombane), Adam Daly (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams); Cathal English (Fr Sheehy’s), Conor Martin (Cappawhite), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs); Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), Senan Butler (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).
Subs: Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill) for Butler (HT); Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris) for O’Callaghan (36); Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane) for Martin (57).
Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)
