Tipperary minor hurling manager James Woodlock speaks with his management team after the defeat to Clare. PHOTO: ODHRAN DUCIE

Minor Hurlers face must win game against Limerick

GAA: Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 4 Preview

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By Shane Brophy

TIPPERARY v LIMERICK

FBD Semple Stadium

Friday, 18th April

Throw-in @ 7.00pm

Referee: Patrick O’Mahoney (Cork)

Defending provincial and All-Ireland champions Tipperary could be eliminated from the minor hurling championship on Friday evening if they fail to beat Limerick in the third round of the Munster Championship.

After starting out with two, two point defeats to Waterford and Clare, Tipperary’s hopes of reaching another Munster final are remote, even if they were to win their final two games, including a trip to Cork, who, like Waterford, have won their first two matches, including an impressive seven point win over Clare last Saturday.

With Limerick also pointless at the half-way stage, this is a huge game from them too as the third and fourth placed teams in the round-robin will progress to the All-Ireland series, along with the top four from Leinster. With Tipp already having lost to Clare, another defeat to Limerick would see the Premier cubs eliminated on the head-to-head rule, even if they were to defeat Cork in their last game, as Clare and Limerick still have to play each other so one or both teams would gain more points in the table.

Tipperary manager James Woodlock was pleased with the performance in the first round loss to Waterford but less so in the defeat to Clare, both in similar circumstances with Tipp having the lead down the home straight but failing to hold on.

Kieran Rossiter is a major doubt through injury after being forced off in the first half against Clare and his industry in the middle of the field will be missed, which could force captain Euan Murray to drop deeper from centre forward to provide the leadership and experience.

This Tipperary team has potential and the longer they stay in the championship, they are likely to gel, particularly in the forwards where they have tended to play as individuals rather than a unit so far.

Tipperary Minor Hurling League v Limerick

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