Tipperary Masters hurlers thrash Treaty to all but confirm championship final place

Gaelic Masters Association Hurling Championship - Round 4

Tipperary 9-30

Limerick 1-11

By Michael McCarthy

Tipperary’s Master hurlers kept up their unbeaten run with a victory over their Limerick counterparts on Saturday in Borris-Ileigh, earning a place in this year’s decider with one round to spare in the process.

Tipp were always in the ascendency with Thurles Sarsfields Lar Corbett to the fore in the early exchanges popping up everywhere it seemed, scoring 1-2 in the opening five minutes.

Tipp won the throw-in and a Vinny Stapleton shot was to the right and wide into the scoreboard at the end of Borris-Ileigh after 15 seconds. Tipp however won the resulting puckout and Lar Corbett found himself in an acre of space in front of goal and made no mistake for the game's first major after 45 seconds.

Tipp would have 1-5 on the board before a mighty sideline cut from Mikey Dillon of Limerick had their first score on ten minutes. Tipp put 2-7 on the board in the next ten-minute spell with both goals from Eoin Kelly who started the game at full-forward.

Limerick finished the half scoring four points through the impressive Pat Hartigan (3) and one from Derek Grimes but not before sub Trevor Fletcher and Eoin Kelly had two more green flags to leave the half time scoreline reading 5-14 to 0-6.

The second half was more along the same lines with Nigel Kenny getting in for two goals in between green flags from Trevor Fletcher and Shane McGrath. Pat Hartigan was leading the charge for Limerick and he got himself a goal, finishing up to finish with an impressive tally of 1-8.

'Redser' brought himself on at the start of the second half and shook off an early wide to finish with seven points from play and was surely pushing hard for a starting spot.

Tipp were obviously the better side throughout but Limerick battled hard and Pat Hartigan, Mikey Dillon and Derek Grimes had players who never gave up.

It's hard to pick out any one Tipp player for praise above another but Corbett showed his undoubted class early on, with Eoin Kelly, Nigel Kenny, Trevor Fletcher and Ger O'Grady showing their finishing class. Paul McGrath managed four points from the half-back line also.

Tipp now have four wins from four in the competition and barring some major upsets should be in the final. Tipp have a home game to Wexford on the weekend of October 13th in round 5.

Thanks to the Borris-Ileigh club for facilitating the game and a special shout-out to Paudie Comerford and OMC Technologies DAC for coming on board to sponsor tops for the lads.

Tipperary: Eoin Brislane (Toomevara); Murty Treacy (Borris-Ileigh), Sean Quirke (Silvermines), Martin Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh); Paul McGrath (Toomevara, 0-4), Paul Curran (Mullinahone, 0-1), Hugh Moloney (Nenagh Eire Óg); Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-5), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, 1-1), Joe Ceaser (Killenaule), Shane Maher (Burgess, 0-1); Vinny Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Nigel Kenny (Gortnahoe Glengoole, 2-2), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone, 3-6, 0-4f), Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle, 0-1).

Subs used: Trevor Fletcher (Roscrea, 2-2); Tom Costello (Cappawhite); Paddy Julian (Cappawhite); Ger O'Grady (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-7).

Limerick: Mark Kelly; Tony Cross, Alan Doherty (0-1), Chris O'Connor; Ger Kelleher, Mikey Keane, Connor Sherlock; Derek Grimes (0-1), Mikey Dillon (0-2); Batt Curtin, Adrian Garvey, Pat Hartigan (1-8); Stephen Lyons, Patrick Dore, Noel Noonan.

Subs used: Derek Connaughton; Joe Mulcahy; Kevin O'Brien; Paul Butler.

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)