Limerick set up Munster final rematch against Cork with emphatic win over Tipp:

Limerick set up Munster final rematch against Cork with emphatic win over Tipp:

By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sport

LIMERICK are back in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship final after a 5-27 to 0-25 win over Tipperary in a sun-drenched TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Two goals from Aaron Gillane and Aidan O’Connor as well as a Diarmaid Byrnes penalty ensured the win in front of a crowd of 29,069 supporters.

Results on Sunday confirmed yet another provincial decider against Cork – a game which will take place on June 7 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The win secured a record-extending eighth Munster final spot in a row for John Kiely’s men.

Conversely, the heavy margin of defeat condemned the Premier County to last place in the Munster SHC table.

Much like the camogie team yesterday, Kiely’s hurlers also scored a first minute goal. This time it was even earlier as Aaron Gillane blasted past Rhys Shelly after just 13 seconds.

Just seven minutes later, the ball was in the net again. An Aidan O’Connor ‘65 went all the way into the net, over the head of Shelly.

After 10 minutes, a rare venture up the field from Mike Casey led to the corner back scoring, giving Limerick a 2-6 to 0-3 lead.

Points from Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill and Gearoid Hegarty helping the Shannonsiders off to a fast start.

Already out of the Championship, Tipp were determined not to throw in the towel and struck the next four points in a row.

This run was ended by a huge Diarmaid Byrnes free from inside his own half before late inclusion Lynch extended the lead back to seven.

Through Stefan Tobin and Ronan Maher Tipp kept the scoreboard ticking late in the first half, under the glorious Ennis Road sunshine.

Darragh McCarthy frees closed the gap further before Byrnes’ second long-rage ended the first half scoring, with the Treaty taking a 2-12 to 0-14 lead into the break.

Despite the lead, there were elements of the first half that will frustrate the Limerick management – eight wides and eight points conceded from frees the stand-outs.

After O’Connor and Noel McGrath swapped points early in the second half, a big moment as Limerick were awarded a penalty. A blazing run from Kyle Hayes saw the Kildimo-Pallaskenry man pulled to the ground by Connolly – the Tipp wing-back black carded for the move. Up stepped Byrners who hit a rocket to the roof of the net.

Before he could get back into position in defence, the Patrickswell man got possession from the puck out and added a point from play to put Limerick eight points ahead.

The Treaty pushed further ahead when O’Connor got his second green flag – no element of luck to this one, after a top clash finish.

The finishing got even better for Limerick – Gillane notching his second major with a rasper of a strike from close range after beating Bryan O’Mara in a one-on-one battle.

From here, Limerick didn’t let up. With the Munster final on the horizon, they kept going despite the big lead – two late Shane O’Brien points, the icing on the cake.

A date with the Rebels by the banks of the Lee up next.

SCORERS
Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 2-7 (1-0 ‘65, 5f); Diarmaid Byrnes 1-3 (2f, 1-0 pen); Aaron Gillane 2-0; Tom Morrissey 0-4; Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill, Shane O’Brien 0-2 each; Mike Casey, Adam English, Peter Casey, Barry Nash, Darragh O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-7 (7f); Eoghan Connolly 0-4 (2f); Conor Stakelum, Jake Morris, Stafan Tobin 0-3 each; Noel McGrath 0-2; Ronan Maher, Sam O’Farrell, Paddy McCormack 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O’Donovan, Adam English; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Aidan O’Connor, Peter Casey.

Subs: Barry Nash for Mike Casey (ht); Tom Morrissey for Adam English (48 mins); David Reidy for Peter Casey (48 mins); Shane O’Brien for Aaron Gillane (57 mins); Colin Coughlan for Kyle Hayes (60 mins).

TIPPERARY: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Ronan Maher, Keith Ryan; Eoghan Connolly, Bryan O’Mara, Seamus Kennedy; Conor Stakelum, Alan Tyan; Oisin O’Donoghue, Jake Morris, Noel McGrath; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Stefan Tobin.

Subs: Sam O’Farrell for Alan Tynan (42 mins); Joe Caesar for Seamus Kennedy (45 mins); Michael Breen for Noel McGreen (50 mins); Paddy McCormack for John McGrath (53 mins); Jamie Ormond for Darragh McCarthy (60 mins); Brian McGrath for Keith Ryan (temporary, 68 mins)

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).