Tipp suffer first league loss in Limerick

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A Round 3

Limerick 0-30

Tipperary 1-23

Report: Shane Brophy at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Diarmuid Byrnes (Limerick)

SCORERS – Limerick: Diarmuid Byrnes 0-7 (3 frees); Aodhan O’Connor 0-5; Aaron Gillane 0-4 frees; Adam English, David Reidy, Patrick O’Donovan 0-3 each; Cian Lynch, Ethan Hurley 0-2 each; Eamonn Stokes 0-1.

Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-9 frees; Seanie Kenneally 1-3; Jake Morris 0-4; Alan Tynan 0-3; Willie Connors, Gearoid O’Connor, Michael Breen, Bryan O’Mara 0-1 each.

Tipperary suffered their first set-back in the National Hurling League as Limerick edged to a four-point victory in a high scoring round 3 clash on Sunday.

Premier County manager Liam Cahill made six changes from the win over Wexford with Barry Hogan getting his first start of the campaign in goal with Bryan O’Mara doing likewise in the defence, along with Ronan Maher, with the other three changes coming in attack with Gearoid O’Connor, Darragh Stakelum and Seanie Kenneally all coming into the starting fifteen.

The game began at a brisk pace with the sides sharing the first six points with Willie Connors, Alan Tynan, and Michael Breen on target for Tipp before they went onto open a two point lead with Seanie Kenneally and Bryan O’Mara making it five different players on the scoresheet after nine minutes.

Limerick gained the upper hand for the next ten minute period, and they went into a 0-11 to 0-7 lead as Tipp turnovers in the middle of the field were ruthlessly punished with David Reidy and Aodhan O’Connor particularly effective for the home side.

Tipp responded with the first of nine frees from Darragh McCarthy while Jake Morris pilfered three points in the first half, but the key score was Seanie Kenneally’s goal on 25 minutes as he first-timed a Darragh McCarthy pass to the net to edge Tipp back in front, which they maintained to half time as they led 1-13 to 0-15.

As they tend to do, Limerick raced out of the blocks at the restart with Patrick O’Donovan, Diarmuid Byrnes, and O’Connor pointing within three minutes before Kenneally got Tipp moving again on 39 minutes.

Jake Morris’ fourth point from play on 44 minutes proved to be Tipperary’s final score of the game will all the last six points coming from the unerring free-taking of Darragh McCarthy.

Limerick were always able to get their scores a little easier with Patrick O’Donovan and Byrnes having big second halves, Byrnes man of the match with seven points, four from play from wing back.

Tipp’s best goal chance of the second half came on 48 minutes when Shane Dowling denied Kenneally a second, with Limerick pointing from the clearance to go into a four-point lead.

Tipp’s endeavour was strong all through as they stayed on Limerick’s coat-tails but their inability to create scoring chances from play in the final quarter was their undoing as Limerick eased to a deserved four point win.

Tipperary’s next game is against Cork at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, 22nd February.

TEAMS – Limerick: Shane Dowling; Fergal O’Connor, Dan Morrissey, Barry Murphy; Diarmuid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Colin Coughlan; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Eamonn Stokes, David Reidy, Aodhan O’Connor; Patrick O’Donovan, Aaron Gillane, Donnacha O Dalaigh.

Subs: Ethan Hurley for Hayes (24 inj); Micheal Houlihan for O Dalaigh (47); Hugh Flanagan for Stokes (66); Dylan Lynch for O’Donovan (68).

Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan); Robert Doyle (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Breen (Ballina); Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), Alan Tynan (Roscrea), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og); Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Seanie Kenneally (Moneygall), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara).

Subs: Brian McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Kennedy (46); Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy) for Stakelum (46); Michael Corcoran (Silvermines) for Morgan (57); John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for O’Connor (64); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) for Connors (64).

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)