Fourteen-man Tipperary given a lesson by hungry Limerick in one-sided league encounter

Allianz National Hurling League - Division 1A - Round 4

Tipperary 0-21

Limerick 0-36

The exploits of last July will have been well and truly put to bed in Thurles on Saturday afternoon after a first-half display of incredible quality from Limerick left Tipperary licking their wounds in the torrential rain in FBD Semple Stadium.

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This round 4 Allianz National Hurling League clash was touted to be a closely fought contest, but it turned out to be nothing more than processionary from a Limerick viewpoint, and nothing short of torture for the Tipperary supporters who braved the wet and cold conditions.

Limerick went strong for this one, and such was their use of the early gale and the sharper and more robust play from the Treaty saw them hit 20 first-half points with 17 of those coming from play as Tipperary were chasing shadows throughout the first half.

In that time, Aidan O’Connor (7), Shane O’Brien (3), Peter Casey (3), and Adam English particularly had the freedom of the midfield in Thurles, hitting points unmolested in many cases, while the Limerick defence smothered the Tipperary attack almost completely.

Tipperary had goal chances late in the first half that might have given them hope at half-time, and with the wind to come, but Nickie Quaid denied early substitute Darragh Stakelum from point-blank range, before Darragh McCarthy blazed a 39th-minute penalty wide with the last puck of the half.

To highlight the lack of attacking threat from Tipp - outside of Seanie Kenneally, who was having some joy, it must be said - Tipperary had to wait until the 33rd minute for their first point from play through a Noel McGrath effort from range. 

Willie Connors saw red after 20 seconds of the restart for a pull, but in reality, Limerick were all but out the door with the points even then, leading commandingly by 0-20 to 0-7, with a scandalous 80% conversion rate on 25 shots in the first half.

The second half was no more than a case of playing out time for Limerick, and while Tipperary were led brilliantly by Noel McGrath, who would hit five second-half points and six in total, it was always at Limerick’s ease.

Shane O’Brien and Aidan O’Connor had the run of the pitch, with the former giving Bryan O’Mara a very tough day at the office.

For now, this result will at the very least focus the minds on the challenge ahead if Tipperary are to ratin their All-Ireland crown. Tipperary have a bye week next weekend before they travel to Walsh Park to face Waterford on Sunday, March 8.

Scorers: Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-7f, Noel McGrath 0-6, John McGrath 0-2f, Eoghan Connolly (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 65), Jake Morris, Sean Kenneally, Keith Ryan, Darragh Stakelum all 0-1 each.

Limerick: Aidan O’Connor (0-11, 0-4f, 0-2 65s), Shane O’Brien 0-6, Peter Casey 0-5, Gearoid Hegarty, Adam English, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane, Donnacha O Dalaigh all 0-2 each, Mike Casey, Colin Coughlan, Darragh O’Donovan, Cathal O’Neill all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Barry Hogan; Cathal O’Reilly, Bryan O’Mara, Craig Morgan; Joe Caesar, Eoghan Connolly, Seamus Kennedy; Willie Connors, Conor Stakelum; Sam O’Farrell, Andrew Ormond, Noel McGrath; Darragh McCarthy, Jake Morris, Sean Kenneally.

Subs used: Darragh Stakelum for O’Farrell (30); Oisin O’Donoghue for Ormond (HT); John McGrath for McCarthy (51); Josh Keller for C Stakelum (56); Keith Ryan for Caesar (61).

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Matthew Fitzgerald; Colin Coughlan, Will O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O’Donovan, Adam English; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs used: Donnacha O Dalaigh for O’Brien (45, temp sub); David Reidy for English (52); Tom Morrissey for Hegarty (52); Donnacha O Dalaigh for Gillane (59); Joe Fitzgerald for O’Neill (59); Diarmaid Byrnes for Hayes (63).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)