Tipperary and Limerick clash proves that Munster Championship is gift that keeps on giving

Further evidence that the Munster Senior Hurling Championship is the gift that just keeps on giving was provided by the bucketload on Easter Sunday.

The thriller in Ennis between Clare and Cork was followed by another game of the helter skelter variety between Tipperary and Limerick at FBD Semple Stadium, another contest played at breakneck speed.

Draws in both games mean it’s a case of “as you were” before the second round of games in the round robin this Sunday, when Waterford and Clare meet in Walsh Park at 2pm, which will be followed by the league final rematch between Cork and Tipperary at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm.

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Despite going into last Sunday’s game as 11/4 outsiders against odds-on, 3/10 favourites Limerick, a draw (available at 12/1) was the very minimum that Tipperary deserved.

It wasn’t quite the monumental victory that, at times, they suggested they were capable of achieving against the county that has won the last six provincial titles. However, it still ranks as a statement performance, probably the best they have produced in quite some time, and certainly the finest 70 minutes of hurling they have played since Liam Cahill took over as manager almost three years ago.

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The tone for what was to follow was set in the opening exchanges, sparks flying when some heavy challenges were exchanged before Darragh McCarthy pointed Tipperary into the lead in the fourth minute.

From an early stage it was evident that there was much more energy and zip about Tipp’s performance than had been witnessed in the heavy defeat to Cork in the league final a fortnight previously.

Not only did they bring a ferocious and championship-like performance to the table that was required; they managed to sustain it to the very end. They were in no mood to capitulate, refusing to allow Limerick to steamroll them, just as they have done to so many teams (Tipperary included) in the recent past.

After a first half, at the end of which they led by 0-16 to 1-10, Tipp players were still snapping into the challenges throughout the entire second half. Their determination was fierce and they never flinched from the first whistle to the last in a contest that lit up a damp, cool and overcast day in Thurles.

Standout moments were supplied by John McGrath and his two goals, especially that wonderfully-constructed second major in the 63rd minute, when the team worked the ball from defence into attack along a chain of passes; the composure of Darragh McCarthy, who showed maturity beyond his 19 years all afternoon, especially when he nailed the equalising free in additional time; the leadership and accuracy provided by Jake Morris, who scored four points from play; the industry and graft of Craig Morgan, Alan Tynan and second half substitute Seamus Kennedy; and the vision and wonderful hurling brain of Noel McGrath, who was the orchestrator-in-chief and who brought so much calm to the chaos when introduced seven minutes into the second half.

The defence, too, deserves an honourable mention. The backs, including captain, Ronan Maher, Michael Breen, Robert Doyle, Joe Caesar and Bryan O’Mara (who had arguably his finest hour in a blue and gold jersey), were always tenacious in the tackle, along with Eoghan Connolly, who slotted over four points from long range frees for good measure.