Heartbreak for Tipperary Minor hurlers in All-Ireland final
Tipperary denied by Limerick’s late surge
Tipperary’s bid to win the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship title for the third time in five years was shattered by Limerick in this afternoon’s gripping final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Just when it appeared as if Tipperary had weathered the second half Limerick storm, the Shannonsiders struck with a goal and a point in added time to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
When KJ Dunne pointed in the first of three minutes of added time, Tipp were ahead by 1-14 to 1-11 and looked to have done enough to secure the win.
However, there was a sting in the tail in a game witnessed by an attendance of 12,526. No sooner had the puckout being directed to the other side of the pitch than Gavin O’Brien arrowed a shot to the net to draw Limerick level.
With their tails up, Limerick followed up with the winning score, a point from John Ross O’Reilly to capture their first All-Ireland in the grade in 42 years. It was the first time Limerick had been in front since the opening minute, and their timing couldn’t have been better.
It was a cruel end to the game for a Tipperary team that had already beaten Limerick twice in the championship, and gave everything in their attempt to win the county’s 23rd All-Ireland Minor title.
They had heroic performances all over the pitch, including from Chris Dunne, KJ Dunne, Conor Kennedy and Conall Morrison in attack, while Colm Ryan and captain Conor Collins were on top form in defence.
Tipp were ahead by three points once the second half began, and by the 40th minute a Chris Dunne free made it four (1-11 to 1-7).
There were goal chances at either end in the early stages of the second half. KJ Dunne had a shot blocked, while Conor Collins did well to deflect a goal-bound shot by Limerick’s Diarmuid Crowe.
As the half progressed Conall Morrison went close, his shot saved by Limerick goalie Sam Collins before he fired the rebound wide.
In the final ten minutes the Limerick netminder again came to his team’s rescue, this time to stop KJ Dunne’s effort, while Limerick’s Rian Horgan had a goal ruled out for a square ball.
Tipp couldn’t stretch their lead to a comfortable distance as the minutes ticked away, and were made to pay when Limerick produced that incredible late flurry to snatch a famous victory.
The game developed into a close tussle from the very start. The sides were level twice in the opening five minutes before points from Conall Morrisson and a Chris Dunne free gave Tipp a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 11 minutes.
Tipp stretched their advantage to four points, 0-7 to 0-3 by the 21st minute, thanks to scores from Chris Dunne, Conall Morrisson and a Chris Dunne free.
Tipp had a gilt-edged chance for a goal in the 24th minute when Conall Morrisson’s shot was saved by Limerick goalie Sam Collins but Zach O’Keeffe, who was stretching to reach the ball, could only send the rebound wide.
However, they found the net within a minute thanks to Chris Dunne’s low shot (1-7 to 0-4) following KJ Dunne’s pass
Limerick's Shane Waters (from a free) and Conor Kennedy swapped scores after the goal. Just when Tipp looked set to take a healthy six-points lead into the break, Limerick hit back in added time when Shane Waters drove a penalty to the net, after Eamon O’Sullivan was fouled. That left a goal between teams (1-8 to 1-5) at the midway stage.
Tipperary: Eoin Connolly (Carrick Swan); Colm Ryan (Newport), Daniel Groome (Borris-Ileigh), Conor Collins (Galtee Rovers captain); Oisín Kennedy (Newport), James Finn (Golden/Kilfeacle), Travis McLoughlin (Cahir); Shane Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), Hugo Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Éanna Tucker (Nenagh Eire Og), Chis Dunne ( (Gornahoe-Glengoole1-7, 0-5f), Conor Kennedy (Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-2); Zach O’Keeffe (Holycross/Ballycahill), Conall Morrisson ( Moyle Rovers 0-3), KJ Dunne (Toomevara 0-2).
Subs: Josh Moroney (Ballina) for O’Keeffe (48), Ciaran Gantley (Cappawhite) for Healy (55).
Limerick: S Collins; S Mitchell, W Ryan, R Collins; J O’Riordan, C Ryan, E Hennessy; X Neligan, J Roche; S Waters (1-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-4f), R Foley, D Crowe (0-02); R Horgan, E O’Sullivan (0-02), Z Bennis.
Subs: G O’Brien (1-1) for Bennis (40), JR O’Reilly (0-1) for Foley (56), P Collins for Roche (59).
Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath).