Dominant Limerick cruise to 15-point win over Tipperary in Allianz Hurling League

A DOMINANT Limerick cruised to a 0-36 to 0-21 win over Tipperary in Saturday evening’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash in FBD Semple Stadium.

The large attendance, who braved the cold and wet conditions, saw the return of Kyle Hayes to the field for Limerick after six months out with a neck injury. However, it was the forwards who grabbed the headlines with a clinical display.

The free-scoring Aidan O’Connor, Shane O’Brien and Peter Casey pushed Limerick to a 13-point interval lead - an advantage the hosts never looked like pulling back in the second period.

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The victory means back-to-back wins for John Kiely’s men who have recovered well from the loss to Waterford in their opening match.

Limerick started brightly and led throughout in what was a remarkably one-sided opening half.

O’Brien won a 50-50 ball and opened the scoring before O’Connor added a long-range effort a minute later. Casey - fresh off scoring 0-5 from play against Kilkenny in the previous round - put Limerick 0-3 to no score ahead after just four minutes.

Tipperary were not at the races and O’Connor (2), Adam English and O'Brien added to Limerick’s early advantage.

But the danger the hosts possessed were evident as with their first real attack Sean Kenneally rattled Nickie Quaid’s crossbar. The move ended with a Darragh McCarthy free opening the Premier account.

Gearoid Hegarty and Aaron Gillane responded quickly and by the time O’Connor added two in quick succession, Limerick led 0-11 to 0-2 midway through the first half.

Tipp were reliant on the free-taking of McCarthy in the first period as they struggled to create opportunities from open play. In fact, it wasn’t until Noel McGrath’s 34th minute effort that Tipp scored from play. Conversely Limerick had eight different scorers in the first half - all six forwards and both midfielders.

While Limerick piled on the points they let their first real goal chance slip. A clever ball from Gillane found Darragh O’Donovan in acres of space. However, with the net seemingly at his mercy Joe Caesar hooked him superbly.

While this helped the home supporters find their voice as Limerick rattled the next three scores. The pick of these was O’Brien plucking Kyle Hayes’ clearance out of the sky and on the turn putting the ball over the bar.

Tipp were given a lifeline deep in first half stoppage time when Kenneally was fouled by Dan Morrissey. Up stepped McCarthy who blasted the ball wide - summing up the first 35 minutes for the hosts. 0-20 to 0-7 Limerick led after a remarkable first half.

Any hopes of a comeback evaporated in the first minute of the second half as Willie Connors was sent off for a challenge on O’Donovan.

Tipp were briefly buoyed with McGrath, Darragh Stakelum and Jake Morris hitting fine points. However, Limerick’s response through Casey, O’Donovan and O’Connor ensuring Limerick’s lead was too big to claw back.

Limerick saw out the win without too much stress - making it 13 league and championship games unbeaten against Tipperary.

SCORERS: Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 0-7 (7f); Noel McGrath 0-6; John McGrath (2f), Eoghan Connolly (0-1f, 0-1 ‘56) 0-2 each; Sean Kenneally, Darragh Stakelum, Jake Morris, Keith Ryan 0-1 each. Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-11 (0-3f, 0-2 ‘65); Shane O’Brien 0-6; Peter Casey 0-4; Adam English, Gearoid Hegarty, Aaron Gillane, Darragh O’Donovan, Tom Morrissey, Donnacha O’Dalaigh 0-2 each; Cathal O’Neill, Colin Coughlin, Mike Casey 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: Darragh Stakelum for Sam O’Farrell (29 mins); Oisin O’Donoghue for Andrew Ormond (ht); John McGrath for Darragh McCarthy (50 mins); Josh Keller for Conor Stakelum (55 mins); Keith Ryan for Joe Casaer (60 mins)

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Matthew Fitzgerald; Colin Coughlan, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey. Subs: Donncha O’Dalaigh for Shane O’Brien (blood 43-45 mins); David Reidy for Adam English (46 mins); Tom Morrissey for Gearoid Hegarty (46 mins); Donncha O’Dalaigh for Aaron Gillane (59 mins); Joe Fitzgerald for Cathal O’Neill (59 mins); Diarmaid Byrnes for Kyle Hayes (62 mins).

REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork).