Slick Limerick look back to their best after Tipp hammering

THE Limerick senior hurlers recorded a comprehensive 15-point victory over Tipperary in round two of the Munster senior hurling championship.

A strong performance from the reigning All-Ireland champions in the first 20 minutes after half-time put Tipperary out of sight where they outscored their opponents 2-10 to 0-6.

Once again during their purple patch, Limerick looked unstoppable similar to their final quarter performance in Ennis and the big question now is can John Kiely’s side be stopped when they get into their groove?

Defensively manager Kiely will have to be delighted with the intensity and ferocity they showed in the tackle limiting Tipperary to nine points from play in 70 minutes.

Sean Finn got through his first full game in the championship since returning from his cruciate injury along, with Declan Hannon and Kyle Hayes looking very sharp also. Tipperary struggled to get their forwards on the ball and that was down to the work rate Limerick showed all over the pitch.

The result at the weekend has been overshadowed by the injury to Peter Casey where the Na Piarsaigh clubman suffered a broken ankle. Casey was in terrific form scoring 1-2 inside 55 minutes and the Limerick sharpshooter was awarded man of the match for his eye-catching display.

The loss of Casey is a setback, along with the hamstring injury to his brother Mike, they are two significant absentees for the Treaty county.

Captain Declan Hannon paid tribute to his teammate Peter Casey after the game.

“It didn’t look great and obviously first and foremost he’s in our thoughts. A game of hurling is a game of hurling and Peter was flying it,” Hannon said to RTE Sport while accepting the Man of the Match accolade on behalf of Peter Casey after the game.

“I don’t think we are flying the way we want to be honest. It took us a long time again to get going, but that’s down to Tipperary and the ferocity they brought in the first half there. At half-time we just wanted to settle down and get back to basics really.

“We worked hard in the second half and again the lads coming off the bench were fantastic. All you can ask for us is an effort and that’s what the lads gave.’’

William O'Donoghue looked back to his usual self in the middle third getting through a huge amount of work and creating turnovers.

The performances of David Reidy and in particular Cathal O'Neill, who was a sub in last year's All-Ireland final, have probably somewhat went under the radar. The players finished with five points between them on Sunday. Aaron Gillane has proved a handful for his opponents in the Munster championship scoring 2-13 in the last two games and teams are really struggling to limit the Patrickswell clubman.

The strength of Limerick’s panel told once again with Adam English and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh getting on the scoreboard, contributing five points between them in a 20-minute period.

After two wins from two, Limerick now have a break this weekend before the reigning Munster champions head for SuperValu Páirc Uí Caoimh to take on Cork in round three of the Munster senior hurling championship on Saturday week. Cork's championship is on the line following two defeats, so Limerick will be wary.

After two rounds of the Munster senior hurling championship, Limerick looked primed to reach a Munster final based on their performances to date with games to come a gainst Cork and Waterford. A win in Cork would secure their place into the All-Ireland series.