Disappointing Tipperary performance sees them go down to Limerick in Munster semi-final

MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

TIPPERARY 0-10    LIMERICK 2-10

Tipperary will have to take their chances in this year’s Tailteann Cup for the first time after their disappointing exit to Limerick in the Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday evening.

The Shannonsiders were fully deserving of their victory with an impressive second half showing in which they outscored the home side 1-7 to 0-4 (1-5 to 0-2 over the last 20 minutes) with the game’s real decisive moment coming in the 53rd minute with their second goal scored by Brian Donovan after being put in the clear by Cian Sheehan's pass.

The sides had gone to the half-time break level, 0-6 to 1-3, the Treatymen's first goal scored in the 12th minute when Oola’s Josh Ryan reacted fastest after Michael O’Reilly had parried Brian Donovan’s initial effort. That early goal put them 1-1 to 0-2 ahead, Tipperary’s earlier scores coming from a Jack Kennedy 45 and a free by his Clonmel Commercials clubmate Sean O’Connor. Limerick’s Cillian Fahy had opened the scoring after just 11 seconds with a point from the edge of the D.

A second point from Limerick midfielder Fahy after 13 minutes made it 1-2 to 0-2 before Jack Kennedy pointed a free earned by Mikey O’Shea’s run being illegally halted.

It took Tipperary until the 20th minute to register their first point from play, an excellent effort from 35 metres from Sean O’Connell. It looked like the home had overcome the setback of Josh Ryan’s early goal when they drew level at 0-5 to 1-2 on the half hour mark after midfielder Mark Russell booted a fine point after a tap-down by Conor Sweeney.

The Billy Lee-managed Limerick regained the lead when Hugh Bourke scored after an intelligent pass from Adrian Enright. But Tipp got a huge boost just before half time when Shane O’Connell on a counter attack made it 0-6 to 1-3 and sent David Power’s side to the break all square at the end of what was a very disappointing opening 35 minutes for the good sized crowd, mostly donning green.

Limerick then had the first two points of the second period (a Josh Ryan free and a fisted point by Adrian Enright) to go 1-5 to 0-6 up within nine minutes of the restart, however the sides were level for the fourth and final time 15 minutes in.

Tipperary had responded with a super point from play from Sean O’Connell from 40 metres out near the old stand. This was the second point of the evening from the wing-back but amazingly Tipperary would not score again from play in the remaining 27 minutes of football including the five minutes of added time. A free from Jack Kennedy in the 51st minute restored parity but Limerick should have been well clear at this juncture having missed a real goal chance (Hugh Bourke) and kicking three wides in quick succession when on top.

Eventually the Limerick pressure began to pay after impressive substitute Robbie Bourke edged them ahead when pointing almost immediately after his introduction. Limerick then drove home that superiority with Brian Donovan’s superbly finished goal into the Killinan End in the 53rd minute to go four up.

That advantage was out to five points when Cillian Fahy scored his third point of the night and after that there was no way back for Tipp.

Towards the end Tipp added two 45s from Jack Kennedy - half of Tipp’s scores on the night came from the Commercials man with two frees and three 45s in total - with Limerick adding three more white flags from Hugh Bourke (free) and sub Robbie Bourke (2, one a free).

Tipperary were reduced to 14 men in the 68th minute when Sean O'Connell was given a black card by the referee, Paddy Neilan.

It was a night Tipperary will quickly want to forget. Of their 10 points, six came from placed balls, while none of the forwards scored from play giving a good indication that the Limerick rearguard had the better of play in that part of the field.

Limerick now go on to play Kerry in Killarney in two weeks' time while Tipp will be in the Tailteann Cup draw on Monday morning for the first time ever.

Tipperary's Steven O'Brien goes past Limerick centre-back Iain Corbett during the second half of the Munster SFC semi-final game at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday evening. Pic: Sportsfile.

TIPPERARY TEAM:

Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials)

Shane O’Connell (Golden/Kilfeacle, 0-1)

Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)

Willie Eviston (Loughmore/Castleiney)

Sean O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney, 0-2)

Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan)

Jack Harney (Moyle Rovers)

Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials)

Mark Russell (Aherlow. 0-1)

Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers)

Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials, 0-5, 0-2F, 0-3x45)

Teddy Doyle (Ballina)

Mikey O’Shea (CJK Mullinahone)

Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen, capt)

Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials, 0-1F)

Subs: Steven O’Brien (Ballina) for Luke Boland (HT); Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for O’Connor (44); Martin Kehoe (CJK Mullinahone) for Shaughnessy (52); Dean Carew (Upperchurch/Drombane) for Eviston (52); Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers) for O’Shea (62).

LIMERICK TEAM:

Donal O'Sullivan (Monaleen)

Sean O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen)

Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)

Michael Donovan (Galbally)

Cian Sheehan (Newcastle West)

Iain Corbett (Newcastle West)

Paul Maher (Adare)

Darragh Treacy (St Kierans)

Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher-Broadford, 0-3)

Adrian Enright (Fr Caseys, 0-1)

Brian Donovan (Monaleen, 1-0)

James Naughton (St Senans)

Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)

Josh Ryan (Oola, 1-1)

Hugh Bourke (Adare, 0-2, 0-1F).

Subs: Robbie Bourke (Adare, 0-3) for Nash (52); Tommy Griffin (Gerald Griffins) for Ryan (58); Killian Ryan (Mungret, St Paul’s) for Enright (70); Pádraig de Brún (Firies) for H. Bourke (70+3).

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)