Munster Minor Hurling championship : Tipperary fall at first hurdle against Limerick

Limerick 1-17

Tipperary 2-12

Tipperary's minor hurlers fell at the first hurdle in the Munster minor hurling championship at Pairc na nGael this afternoon, despite bagging two second half goals in as many minutes against the hosts.

Missed chances cost Tommy Dunne's men badly and the Limerick lads finished the stronger to storm to a fine victory which gave their supporters plenty to cheer about - Tipp managed fifteen wides in the game.

With the minor grade now at u-17 level rather than the traditional u-18, there was much anticipation to see how the younger players would cope with the pressure of a big day game. And, cope they did as they served up a very entertaining curtain raiser to whet the appetite for the senior match afterwards. 

Tipperary held a slender half time lead 0-8 to 0-7, and a number of chance had gone abegging in that half. The close nature of proceedings ensured that patrons were on the edge of their seats and a ding-dong battle was to ensue in the second half, when the game opened up and the scores flowed more freely.

Two goals in as many minutes from Sean Hayes in the 17th and 18th minutes gave Tipperary a 2-19 to 0-10 lead, but Limerick replied with a goal of their own in the 21st minute through Cormac Ryan to send them back into the driving seat. There, they remained until game end and they finished with a flurry of scores to claim the spoils.

Tipperary will entertain Cork next Sunday in the second round in Semple Stadium and will need to up the ante if they are to get back on track. The game will certainly help them as they prepare for the visit of The Rebels.