Heartbreak for Limerick minor hurlers who suffer Munster final defeat to Tipperary:

By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sports

LIMERICK fell to defeat in Friday’s Munster Minor Hurling Championship final, falling to a 3-16 to 0-18 loss to Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium.

It means the wait since 2020 for a provincial title at this grade continues as they fell short here in front of 3,760 spectators

It was, however, a game effort from Diarmuid Mullins charges, who were undone by two first half goals – one of which had an element of controversy about it.

That first goal was an early blow – a fortuitous long-range effort from Conall Morrisson. There was doubt as to whether the ball crossed the line or not – too close to call on TV replays.

But this didn’t cause heads to drop on the Treaty side. Points from Shane Waters, Daire Long and Ryan Foley got the visitors on the board.

A well-taken score from Tipp’s Shane Ryan helped his side have a slender cushion in the opening exchanges.

Mullins’ side reached parity by the quarter hour mark – a Waters free followed by a super score from Jack Roche.

It was nip and tuck after this with the highlight from a Limerick perspective was a wonderful sideline cut, put over the bar by Xavier Nelligan. This was followed by a smart strike from John O’Riordan who put Limerick in front for the first time after 24 minutes.

The Shannonsiders defence also stood tall in this period – Rowan Collins superbly blocking Chris Dunne’s goal-bound effort.

The Premier did raise a second green flag just before half time. After Limerick blocked two initial efforts, the ball fell to KJ Dunne whose low, hard effort went into the back of the net.

Chris Dunne added a free before Eamon O’Sullivan got the last score of the half as Limerick trailed 2-6 to 0-10 at the change of ends.

Tipp started the second half well – Dunne and Eanna Tucker getting early scores to double the interval advantage.

Danny O’Grady setting up Waters to get Limerick off the mark in the second period.

Waters’ accuracy from placed balls kept Limerick in touching distance but the striking of Conall Morrisson meant the Premier kept their lead as the game headed down the stretch – 2-11 to 0-14 the Tipp lead with 10 minutes to play.

Points from Roche and Rian Horgan before another Waters free meant Mullins’ side only trailed by two heading into the final minute of the 60.

However, an injury-time Conall Morrisson goal sealed the win for Tipp.

SCORERS

Tipperary: Conall Morrisson 2-4; Chris Dunne 0-6 (4f, 1 ‘65); KJ Dunne 1-0; Eanna Tucker 0-3; Shane Ryan, James Finn (f), Zack O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

Limerick: Shane Waters 0-8 (4f, 1 ‘65); Eamon O’Sullivan, Jack Roche 0-2 each; Daire Long, Ryan Foley, Xavier Nelligan (sl), John O’Riordan, Gavin O’Brien, Rian Horgan 0-1.

TEAMS

TIPPERARY: Eoin Connolly; Colm Ryan, Daniel Groome, Conor Collins; Oisin Kennedy, James Finn, Travis McLoughlin; Shane Ryan, Hugo Healy; Conor Kennedy, Conall Morrisson, Eanna Tucker; Zach O’Keeffe, Chris Dunne, KJ Dunne.

Subs: Ciaran Gantley for Hugo Healy (40 mins); Ciaran O’Mahony for Travis McLoughlin (40 mins); Rian McGrath for Eanna Tucker (51 mins).

LIMERICK: Sam Collins (Crecora-Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe-Boher), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), John O’Riordan (Bruff); Xavier Nelligan (Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), Shane Waters (Na Piarsaigh); Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare), Danny O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry), Daire Long (Pallasgreen).

Subs: Jack McCarthy (Ballybrown) for Sam Mitchell (ht); Rian Horgan (Murroe-Boher) for Danny O’Grady (34 mins); John Ross O’Reilly (Ballybrown) for Eamon O’Sullivan (40 mins); Gavin O’Brien (Kilmallock) for Daire Long (40 mins); Cian Hickey (Crecora-Manister) for Ryan Foley (56 mins).

REFEREE: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).