Comprehensive win earns place in the Munster final for Tipperary Under 20s
Scoring difference separates the top three teams
Tipperary 4-20 Limerick 2-8
Tipperary are through to the Fulfil Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship final for the third year in succession, and their fourth in five years, following a comprehensive 18-point victory over the home side at TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Wednesday evening.
As was also the case in 2024, following the round robin games, it took scoring difference to separate the three top teams, who all finished on six points. Tipperary had plus 20, Cork plus 14 and Clare plus 1.
Cork will play Clare in the semi-final at a Cork venue next Wednesday evening, May 6, with the winner taking on Tipperary in the final on Wednesday May 13.
Tipperary knew a comprehensive win was required against Limerick, coupled with a narrow Cork victory over Clare down Leeside. In the end, the cards fell in favour of Tipp, as both requirements were achieved. The Tipperary margin of victory was somewhat helped by the wayward shooting from Limerick, with 11 wides over the opening 30 minutes, and 21 in total.
The foundation for this victory was firmly laid over the opening period, when Tipperary played against a strongish breeze and led by 13 points, 2-11 to 0-4, at the break, the goals coming from David Costigan in the third minute and Jamie Ormond at the start of the second quarter.
Limerick, who were without their senior panellists Matthew Fitzgerald and Hugh Flanagan, showed early resistance with three points from Robert O’Farrell and one from Cathal Dennehy. However, a second Premier major from Jamie Ormond in the 15th minute turned the game completely, with Tipperary hitting 1-7 without reply over that second quarter.
After the restart, Tipperary, with a second David Costigan goal after 36 minutes, pushed on, despite two goals from the home side within four minutes. The introduction of senior star Oisín O’Donoghue for the injured Robbie Ryan at the end of the third quarter coincided with Cormac Fitzpatrick’s fourth goal for the visitors, who then pushed on to hit seven of the last ten points.
Limerick started brightly with a Robert O’Farrell point from a placed ball before Tipp’s David Costigan cut open their defence with a piercing run, before unleashing a piledriver past Alex Kearns for a goal, and a lead they would hold to the finish. Cathal Dennehy pulled one back before points from Robbie Ryan and Jamie Ormond, either side of a pointed free from Robert O’Farrell, settled the visitors. Cormac Fitzpatrick, from a free and Costigan from open play put four between the sides before O’Farrell hit his third for Limerick from open play. This was Limerick’s last score of the half, as their wides tally from all angles and distances built up, with a few more shots dropping short and a good save by Paddy McCormack from Robbie O’Farrell as half-time approached.
The second quarter was the Premier’s best period of this game, starting with a Jamie Ormond goal from close range, after good work from Robbie Ryan. This put some daylight between the sides, as the visitors went for the jugular. Fitzpatrick was unerring from placed balls, with Ormond, Costigan and Stefan Tobin causing problems for the Limerick defence as Tipperary took a stranglehold, hitting 1-7 in the run up to the short whistle to lead by 2-11 to 0-4.
Limerick, as in the first half, started the second period with a Robert O’Farrell converted placed ball. But six minutes in, a surging solo run by Charlie Ryan cut open the Limerick defence before his powerful effort came off the crossbar, with Costigan alert to tap home the rebound from close range.
At the other end the home side got in for a quick reply when Dara Ferland beat Paddy McCormack for a goal. Fitzpatrick hit his sixth point before Jack Cosgrove cut open the Tipp defence for goal number two. This score cut the deficit to ten and with one eye on proceedings Leeside, the margin was getting close.
Tipperary got over what was a temporary glitch and Shane Cleary landed a long range point before Oisín O’Donoghue was sprung from the bench for the injured Robbie Ryan. Fitzpatrick got in for goal number four before Costigan added two minors either side of an Eoin Brosnan effort. Tipperary were comfortably in the driving seat again and one could sense a place in the final was a reality.
Coming down the home straight Tipperary took control and hit five of the last six points, three from Fitzpatrick and one each from Eoghan Doughan and Shane Cleary, as they advanced their scoring difference out to 20 plus.
Scorers: Tipperary: Cormac Fitzpatrick (1-9, 8f), David Costigan (2-3), Jamie Ormond (1-3), Shane Cleary (0-2), Robbie Ryan (0-1), Stefan Tobin (0-1), Eoghan Doughan (0-1).
Limerick: Jack Cosgrove (1-0), Dara Ferland (1-0), Robert O’Farrell (0-4, 3f), James Coughlan (0-2f), Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Cathal Dennehy (0-1).
Tipperary: Paddy McCormack (Moneygall), Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross Ballycahill), Evan Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), David Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Euan Murray (Thurles Sarsfields), Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Charlie Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla), Sam Rowan (Mullinahone), Stefan Tobin (Carrick Swan), Tiarnan Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), David Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), Robbie Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom/Inch).
Subs: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall) for Tiarnan Ryan (HT), Patrick Ryan (Borris Ileigh) for Sam Rowan (36), Oisín O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for Robbie Ryan (injured 44), Jack Hayes (Moycarkey Borris) for Jamie Ormond (47), Jake Donnellan Houlihan (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Adam Ryan (50).
Limerick: Alex Kearns, John Murray, Jackie Dwane, Sean Duff, Jack Cosgrove, Eamon Richardson, James Coughlan, Conor Ryan, Aidan O’Connell, John O’Connor, Darragh Gleeson, Killian Begley, Robert O’Farrell, Cathal Dennehy, Eoin Brosnan.
Subs: Dara Ferland for Killian Begley (27), Oran Crowley for John Murray (HT), Michael Hanly for Aidan O’Connell (HT), Patrick Kearney for Darragh Gleeson (HT), Michael Leo for Conor Ryan (58).
Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).