Tipperary and Limerick play out draw in Munster U20 Football Championship opener

Munster Under 20 Football Championship (Phase 1, Round 1)

TIPPERARY 2-6 LIMERICK 0-12

A share of the spoils and a point apiece was probably the fairest result at the end of the opening round Munster Under 20 Football Championship between Tipperary and Limerick at Fethard Town Park on Friday night. That said, Tipperary were probably the more relieved side to hear the final whistle as they hung on against a Treaty side who finished the stronger having trailed for most of the game.

On a perfect night for football on the excellent Fethard astro turf facilities, Limerick outscored the hosts by 12 scores to eight, but it was the two goals, both coming early in each half, that ultimately were to save Tipp’s bacon. And with this being Tipperary’s only home fixture in their three-match campaign, it was certainly one they couldn’t afford to lose. In the end Niall Fitzgerald’s charges had to settle for a draw and they must now dust themselves down for an away game in Clare next Saturday.

Tipperary had a tonic start with a goal in the fifth minute, well-taken by Clonmel Og’s Darragh McVicker, and were good value for their 1-3 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. At the interval they led by 1-4 to 0-5, with four of those Limerick points coming from frees.

The first score of the second half came six minutes in when Arravale Rovers’ Orrin Jones finished low to the net beyond the Limerick keeper. Now five up at 2-4 to 0-5 in a low-scoring game, Tipperary would have been expected to drive on, but full credit to Limerick for their determined fightback. Excellent point scoring from Ronan Quirke and Diarmuid Hynes pulled them right back into the tie and indeed full-forward Quirke’s 55th minute point edged them ahead for the first time since the second minute.

Suddenly, a cagey and tentative game sprung to life and Tipperary, who had failed to score in 20 minutes since Jones’ 36th minute goal, kicked two points in two minutes from substitutes Daithí Hogan and Paddy O’Keeffe to re-take the lead with two minutes of normal time remaining.

But Limerick weren’t done just yet and an outstanding left legged point on the run from Diarmuid Hynes, which curled beautifully inside the upright, levelled matters at 2-6 to 0-12. Despite Limerick having two efforts off target in the three minutes of added time, few could argue when John Ryan blew time for a draw. Neither side deserved to lose.

A good sized attendance on the night saw Emmet Rigter open the scoring after 90 seconds with a curling left-footed free. It was an interesting precursor to Limerick definitely winning the free-taking contest by five points to one with Tipp missing with at least four kickable placed balls over the hour.

Tipperary midfielder Joe Higgins on a solo under pressure from Limerick's Senan O'Brien during Friday night's Munster Under 20 Football Championship game played at Fethard Town Park. Pic: Michael Boland

Five minutes in, Thomas Charles was involved in the build-up to Tipperary’s opening goal when Darragh McVicker found the back of the net with a well struck effort off his left.

Emmet Rigter then finished off a good move for Limerick, leaving the minimum between the sides after seven minutes. Tipp kicked on with the next three points to lead by 1-3 to 0-2 after 17 minutes following points from play from Orrin Jones and Joe Lawrence and Tipperary’s only converted free of the evening, scored by McVicker after Charlie King was fouled on a run through the centre.

Two frees in quick succession for Limerick, scored by Darragh Murray and Rigter, narrowed the gap to two points after 26 minutes of the first half.

Limerick midfielder Murray then powerfully came through the centre forcing a foul from Charlie King that resulted in a black card for the Tipperary centre-back. Ronan Quirke converted the resultant free and Limerick were within one.

Rockwell Rovers’ Joe Lawrence, with his second point of the half from 35 metres, sent Tipp to the break at 1-4 to 0-5.

Six minutes after the restart Orrin Jones capitalised on a mistake by a Limerick defender to gather 25 metres from goal before charging through to score low and left to the Limerick net.

Now five to the good and restored to their full complement of 15, the odds looked promising for the Premier. However, Limerick had other ideas and soon the fightback began.

Three excellent points from play from full-forward Ronan Quirke, with Michael Kilbridge and Murray involved in their creation, made it 2-4 to 0-8 at the three-quarter mark.

A rousing point followed in the 46th minute when Emmet Rigter made a full-stretch block in defence before Limerick broke with the loose ball for Diarmuid Hynes to point exquisitely off his left.

Two minutes later a powerful run by the hard-working Conall Ó Duinn resulted in a free converted by Quirke to level matters at 2-4 to 0-10. And it was the same combination involved in the lead point for the Treaty in the 55th minute when Ó Duinn’s delivery in around the house was fielded by Quirke who swivelled and pointed well.

Tipperary full-back Eoin O'Connell attempts to get a block on Ronan Quirke's effort at a point during the Munster Under 20 Football Championship game played at Fethard Town Park on Friday night. Pic: Michael Boland

Now behind for the first time since the second minute, Tipperary needed to respond quickly and St Patrick’s Daithí Hogan, who had been causing problems since his introduction, restored parity in the 56th minute with a point on the run.

Another sub, Paddy O’Keeffe, kicked a big point two minutes later to edge Tipp back in front, an effort the Moyle Rovers man knew was bang on the money the minute it left his boot.

Credit to Limerick they refused to bow, and with a minute of normal time remaining, Diarmuid Hynes kicked a deserved equaliser from 35 metres out, his bravery for taking on the effort rewarded as it curled high inside the left upright. It was his last action of the evening as he hobbled off injured almost immediately.

In the three minutes of added time Limerick had the most of the possession but both long range efforts at a winner came to nothing.

Obviously both sides were nervous in this opening round game and will hope to improve for next week’s Phase 2 games. Limerick had that extra edge in physicality and were more direct in their running and capable of taking points from out the field when a determined Tipperary rearguard stood firm. They kicked nine wides on the night compared to Tipp’s five. For Tipperary scoring opportunities were at a premium and they will certainly need to create more chances if they are to get the better of Clare.

Tipperary:

Robbie McGrath (Galtee Rovers/St Pecaun’s), Darragh Spillane (Fethard), Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney), Mark Corcoran (Clonmel Commercials), Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan), Charlie King (Ballina), Thomas Charles (Clonmel Commercials), Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), Eoin Doocey (Arravale Rovers), Ben Carey (Ballylooby/Castlegrace), Joe Lawrence (Rockwell Rovers, 0-2), Michael Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials), Orrin Jones (Arravale Rovers 1-1), Darren McVicker (Clonmel Og, 1-1, 0-1F).

Subs: Daithí Hogan (St Patrick’s, 0-1) for Smith (41 mins); Sean O’Meara (Grangemockler/Ballyneale) for Spillane (50); Conal Grogan (Galtee Rovers/St Pecaun’s) for McVicker (50); Paddy O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers, 0-1) for Lawrence; Killian Butler (Moyle Rovers) for Charles.

Limerick:

Craig MacInnes (Cappagh), Craig O’Connell (Ahane), Jason Hassett (Mungret/St Pauls), Paddy Downey (Oola), John Whelan (Newcastlewest), Aaron Neville (Capt, Newcastlewest), Michael Kilbridge (Fr Casey’s), Emmet Rigter (Newcastlewest), Darragh Murray (Monaleen), Senan O’Brien (St.Senan’s), Conall O’Duinn (Monaleen), Bobby Smith (Ballybrown), Diarmuid Hynes (Mungret/St Paul's), Ronan Quirke (Fr. Casey’s), Shane Cross (St Patrick’s).

Subs: Padraic Murphy for Smith; Jamie Behan for Whelan (55); Oisin Woulfe for O’Brien (58); Diarmuid Ryan for Hynes (inj, 59).

Referee: John Ryan (Cork)