Tipp reeled in by Limerick in league opener

GAA: Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Round 1

 

 

 

Tipperary     0-18

Limerick       2-14

 

Tipperary threw away a nine point half time lead as Limerick came from behind to win this National League opener at Semple Stadium this evening.

The late arrivals due to tailbacks outside the town missed a bright start from both sides with Tipperary racing into a three point lead after eight minutes with Jason Forde converting a free before he and Jake Morris pointed from play.

Limerick were lively early on but wasteful, but did respond with an Aaron Gillane free and a point from by Tom Morrissey.

However from there Tipperary took control as they pressurised the Limerick short puckout which yielded points for John McGrath (2), Jake Morris, Willie Connors and a Forde sideline cut to lead by six after 18 minutes before Limerick scored again through David Dempsey.

It was only a short reposte as Tipp were lively all over the field, particularly in defence with Ronan Maher dominating Aaron Gillane and Paddy Cadell impressing in his debut at midfield and three frees from Jason Forde and a Cadell point from play off superb workrate by Seamus Kennedy to beat a ponderous David Reidy to the ball saw Tipp nine clear after 28 minutes.

Limerick found a little more flow before half time with the Morrissey brothers trying to inspire with Tom getting their fourth point of the half but Jason Forde responded with his seventh as Tipp led 0-13 to 0-4 at the break.

The second half was a complete contrast as Limerick came out a different team and despite Jake Morris stretching the lead to ten, the visitors quickly set about eating into the lead with points from Gillane (2 frees), Dempsey and Diarmuid Byrnes.

Tipp were starting to flag John McGrath produced a badly needed score but on fifty minutes Limerick were right back in the game as Aaron Gillane goaled after Paddy Cadell looked to have been fouled.

Indeed, Tipp were on the wrong end of some harsh calls by the referee but Limerick were dominant after the break as they controlled the ball led by Dan Morrissey at centre back and after Dempsey and Gillane (free) cut the gap to two, Jason Forde pointed for Tipp on 53 minutes.

However, three minutes later Limerick were level when sub Gearoid Hegarty drifted in behind to goal. From there, Limerick kicked and went ahead for the first time in 63 minutes through Gillane and a Diarmuid Byrne free doubled the lead.

Tipp managed just five points in the second half, four from Jason Forde who almost snatched victory with the last puck of the game as his free from 23 yards was saved by Barry Hennessy off the crossbar and bounced clear as Limerick claimed a two point win.

 

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Dan Morrissey (Limerick)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-10 (8 frees, 1 s-cut); John McGrath, Jake Morris 0-3 each; Paddy Cadell, Willie Connors 0-1 each.

Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-6 (0-6 frees); David Dempsey 0-3; Gearoid Hegarty 1-0; Tom Morrissey, Diarmuid Byrnes (1 free) 0-2 each; Seamus Flanagan 0-1.

 

TEAMS – Tipperary: Brian Hogan (Lorrha), Cathal Barrett (Holycross/Ballycahill), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Sean O’Brien (Newport); Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill); Alan Flynn (Kiladangan), Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens); Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Michael Breen (Ballina); Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Jason Forde (Silvermines), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og).

Subs: Paul Flynn (Kiladangan) for Connors (55); Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty/Rossmore) for Kehoe (55); Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for A Flynn (61); Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Breen (66); Jamie Moloney (Drom & Inch) for Kennedy (69).

Limerick: Barry Hennessy; Richie English, Mike Casey, Tom Condon; Diarmuid Byrnes, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Robbie Hanley, Cian Lynch; Darragh O’Donovan, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; David Dempsey, Aaron Gillane, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: Sean Finn for Casey (25 inj); William O’Donoghue for Hanley (28); Gearoid Hegarty for Reidy (50); Seamus Flanagan for Mulcahy (60);

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)