Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi Final – Limerick 1-17 Tipperary 0-17

Lynch-inspired Limerick tame Tipp for final spot

By Jackie Cahill for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Tipperary 0-17 Limerick 1-17

JULY 14 at the Gaelic Grounds could be a green-letter day for Limerick hurling as the county’s minor hurlers ensured that they’ll stand alongside the seniors on Munster final day. Brian Ryan’s efficient minor outfit ended Tipperary’s reign as Electric Ireland Munster and All-Ireland minor champions in front of 3,314 spectators in Thurles last evening. And now Limerick can claim championship victories over Tipp in both the senior and minor grades this summer. That’s no mean feat – particularly when you take into account Limerick haven’t contested a Munster minor hurling final since 2005, and haven’t won one since way back in 1984.

But Limerick hurling appears to be on the rise again and a powerful second-half display was good enough to account for a Tipp side that lined out with four players who started against Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland final replay. But when Limerick turned up the heat in the second-half, on a glorious evening for hurling, Tipp had no answers. The hosts did lead at half-time 0-12 to 0-10 and that advantage was stretched to four by the 34th minute. But leading scorer Ronan Lynch kick started a run of six points without reply to turn the game on its head and in the final 20 minutes, Limerick outscored Tipp 1-7 to 0-3. The crucial score was the 53rd minute penalty that separated the teams at full-time. A deserved award if you’re a Limerick fan, harsh if your glasses were blue and gold tinted.

Thomas Morrissey, a 44th minute sub, did brilliantly to fetch a long delivery and when he came to ground, he was swallowed up by a couple of Tipp defenders. It seemed like an eternity as punters waited for referee Damien Fox to deliver his verdict and when he did, the Clare official decided to ignore Tipp claims that Morrissey was barging. Lynch, scorer of 1-7, found the net and Limerick never looked back from there. The goal, incidentally, came less than a minute after Tipp had ended an 18-minute barren spell in the second-half, when Josh Keane pointed.

Keane, scorer of 2-9 when Tipp beat Waterford in the quarter-final 11 weeks ago, was one of the pivotal players before half-time. He scored 0-4, including three frees, in that first half as opposing centre forwards David Dempsey and Colin O’Riordan illuminate proceedings. Dempsey scored three points, O’Riordan four, and some of the clean catching produced by the pair was worthy of the admission fee. And it was Dempsey who scored arguably the best point of the game in the 20th minute when he volleyed Dean Coleman’s pass first time over the crossbar.

Scorers for Tipperary: J Keane 0-7 (4f), C O’Riordan 0-4, T Fox, W Connors, M McCarthy, S Conlon, C Lanigan & D Quinn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: R Lynch 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6f), D Dempsey 0-4, C Lynch 0-2, B Nash, D Coleman, P Ryan & T Morrissey 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: B Hogan; R Mulcahy, J Ryan, D Peters; T Fox, R Maher, B Heffernan; W Connors, T Kirwan; C Lanigan, C O’Riordan, S Conlon; M McCarthy, J Keane, S Ryan.

Subs: T Nolan for Conlon (42), D Quinn for Lanigan (48), A Tierney for Peters (51), F O’Sullivan for Connors (57).

LIMERICK: C Ryan; J Porter, R English, S Finn; S Ryan, A La Touche Cosgrave, S Flanagan; J Butler, D Donovan; B Nash, R Lynch, C Lynch; D Coleman, D Dempsey, P Ryan.

Subs: G Whelan for Butler (39), T Morrissey for P Ryan (44).

Referee: Damien Fox (Clare)

Limerick dethrone Tipp with Munster minor semi-final victory

Tipperary 0-17 Limerick 1-17

Report by Jackie Cahill for thescore.thejournal.ie

LIMERICK HAVE ENDED Tipperary’s reign as Electric Ireland Munster and All-Ireland minor hurling champions in this evening’s provincial semi-final. The Shannonsiders scored a fully-merited three-point victory against William Maher’s hosts at Semple Stadium to book a place in a first Munster minor final since 2005. On 14 July, Limerick will hope to capture the provincial minor crown for the first time since 1984 – when they face Waterford in the showpiece decider.

Limerick, managed by Brian Ryan from South Liberties, produced an accomplished second half display in front of 3314 spectators in Thurles. And Limerick’s hurling revolution continues apace as this result follows the senior team’s victory over Tipperary in the recent Munster semi-final. Ultimately, it was an impressive run of scores that got the job done for Limerick, who were playing their first game in this year’s championship this evening. Tipp had a match against Waterford under their belts but they hadn’t played a competitive game for almost eleven weeks.

Ronan Lynch scored 1-7 for Limerick – including six frees and the 53rd minute penalty that ultimately separated the sides. Tipp went 0-14 to 0-10 in front four minutes after half-time but in the final 20 minutes, Limerick outscored the home side by 1-7 to 0-3. A run of six unanswered points put them two points clear – 0-16 to 0-14 – as Tipp went 18 minutes without a score before leading scorer Josh Keane converted a free. Then came the crucial moment in the game as sub Thomas Morrissey was awarded a penalty, despite home protests that the Ahane player was charging as he was swallowed up by two defenders.

Referee Damien Fox awarded the penalty and Lynch converted to put Limerick, who had scoring contributions from their six starting forwards, firmly in the driving seat. Tipp, lining out with four of the starting team from last year’s All-Ireland final replay, paid a heavy price for eight second half wides, after Limerick had registered six before half-time. During that opening half, opposing centre forwards David Dempsey and Colin O’Riordan played some brilliant hurling, with Tipp player O’Riordan hitting four points from play to Dempsey’s three. On a perfect evening for hurling, Tipperary led by 0-12 to 0-10 at the end of an excellent first half. The sides were level at 0-10 apiece before O’Riordan’s fourth point and a Keane free left two between them at the break.

Scorers for Tipperary: Josh Keane 0-7 (4f), Colin O’Riordan 0-4, Tom Fox, Willie Connors, Mark McCarthy, Sam Conlon, Conor Lanigan & Donnacha Quinn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Ronan Lynch 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6f), David Dempsey 0-4, Cian Lynch 0-2, Barry Nash, Dean Coleman, Patrick Ryan & Thomas Morrissey 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan (Lorrha and Dorrha); Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers), Jason Ryan (Toomevara), Darragh Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg); Willie Connors (Kildangan), Tom Kirwan (Ballybacon Grange); Conor Lanigan (Thurles Sarsfields), Colin O’Riordan (JK Brackens), Sam Conlon (Roscrea); Mark McCarthy (Toomevara), Josh Keane (Golden/Kilfeacle), Sean Ryan (Sean Treacys).

Subs: Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch) for Conlon (42), Donnacha Quinn (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Lanigan (48), Austin Tierney (Shannon Rovers) for Peters (51), Fionan O’Sullivan (Skeheenarinky) for Connors (57).

LIMERICK: Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen); Jamie Porter (Monaleen), Richard English (Doon), Sean Finn (Bruff); Stephen Ryan (Doon), Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen), Sean Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon); Jamie Butler (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon), Darragh Donovan (Doon); Barry Nash (South Liberties), Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell); Dean Coleman (Doon), David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Pat Ryan (Doon).

Subs: Graham Whelan (Bruff) for Butler (39), Thomas Morrissey (Ahane) for Patrick Ryan (44).

Referee: Damien Fox (Clare)

Team News

The Tipperary minor hurling team to play Limerick in the Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship semi-final against Limerick at Semple Stadium at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening shows 2 changes from the team which defeated Waterford in the quarter final. Ross Mulcahy and Sam Conlon come into the team in place of the injured Austin Tierney and Shane Hennessy. The team is:

1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha and Dorrha)

2. Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers)

3. Jason Ryan (Toomevara)

4. Darragh Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

5. Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty) Captain

6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

7. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)

8. Willie Connors (Kildangan)

9. Tom Kirwan (Ballybacon Grange)

10. Sean Ryan (Sean Treacys)

11. Colin O’Riordan (JK Brackens)

12. Mark McCarthy (Toomevara)

13. Sam Conlon (Roscrea)

14. Josh Keane (Golden Kilfeacle)

15. Conor Lanigan (Thurles Sarsfields)

LIMERICK – Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen); Jamie Porter (Monaleen), Richard English (Doon), Sean Finn (Bruff); Stephen Ryan (Doon), Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen), Sean Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon); Jamie Butler (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon), Darragh Donovan (Doon); Barry Nash (South Liberties), David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell); Dean Coleman (Doon), Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), Pat Ryan (Doon)

Subs: Eoin McNamara (Doon), Michael Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen), Edward Doyle (Monaleen), Graham Whelan (Bruff), Tom Morrissey (Ahane), Stephen Power (Ahane), Damien Lacy (Dromcollogher/Broadford) and Darragh Kennedy (Murroe/Boher)

PRO Contact Details

Tipperary PRO Ger Ryan – pro.tipperary@gaa.ie and 086-8149146

Limerick PRO Eamonn Phelan – pro.limerick@gaa.ie and 087-2807546

Contact Munster GAA PRO Ed Donnelly at pro.munster@gaa.ie for more information

For the Record

MUNSTER GAA HURLING MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

First Round

Thursday April 11^th

@ Pairc Ui Rinn                               Cork 3-15 Clare 2-14
@ Walsh Park Waterford                Tipperary 2-18 Waterford 1-15

Semi-Final Play-off

Wednesday May 1^st

@ Fraher Field Dungarvan                        Waterford 4-18 Clare 1-10

Semi-Finals

Wednesday June 26^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles           Limerick v Tipperary                                                @ 7:30pm

@ Pairc Ui Rinn                               Cork v Waterford                                                      @ 7:30pm

Final

Sunday July 14^th

1:45pm throw-in

Munster Minor Hurling Championship – Odds and Ends

Waterford have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship over the last 6 years, the longest current streak in the province.

Of the 129 points scored on aggregate in the three Munster Minor Hurling Championship matches to date, 69 points (54%) have come courtesy of 4 players – Bobby Duggan (Clare), Patrick Curran (Waterford), Josh Keane (Tipperary) and Pa O’Callaghan (Cork).

Last Meeting – Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

April 29th 2009 at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick – Tipperary 1-21 Limerick 0-11

Tipperary: Paul Ryan; A Ryan, L Butler, Pa Ryan; W Ryan, D Maher, A Hogan; A Cleere, B Stapleton (0-2); S Curran (0-3), J O’Dwyer (0-6, two frees, one pen), R Gleeson (1-6, one 65); E Murphy (0-1), T Butler (0-1), M O’Brien

Subs: D Butler (0-1) for O’Brien (half-time), J Meagher for A Ryan (half-time), D Collins for Cleere, D Flynn for B Stapleton.

Limerick: A Murphy; B Cleary, N Foley, N Buckley; P Ahern, D Hannon (0-2, one free, one 65), T O’Callaghan (0-1); N Kennedy (0-1), L O’Shea; J Fitzgibbon (0-1, free), K Downes (0-3), B Mullins; M Ryan, C McNamara (0-1), W Griffin (0-2, one free)

Subs: S Dowling for Fitzgibbon (half-time), C Behan for O’Shea, D Lyons for Kennedy, M Ranahan for Mullins.

Referee: J Healy (Clare)

Munster Minor Hurling Championship Roll Of Honour

Tipperary (37) – 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1967, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1973, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2012

Cork (32) – 1928, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998 , 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008

Limerick (5) – 1940, 1958, 1963, 1965, 1984

Waterford (4) – 1929, 1948, 1992, 2009

Clare (4) – 1981, 1989, 2010, 2011

Munster Minor Hurling Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began in1928 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/mh_teams/

Munster Minor Hurling Cup

There is no name on the Munster Minor Hurling Cup. The cup itself was presented by T.W.A. Shannon Airport in 1946.

All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship

In the Minor Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Tipperary are second in the charts with 19 titles behind Kilkenny’s 20 titles. Cork have won 18 titles, Limerick have 3 titles (1940, 1958, 1984), Waterford have won 2 titles (1929, 1948) while Clare’s only title to date came in 1997.

Of the last 13 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Finals played, the Irish Press Cup has only returned to Munster on 4 occasions – Cork (2001) and Tipperary (2006, 2007 and 2012). Of the other 9 titles since 1999, Galway have 5 and Kilkenny have captured 4.

Tipperary were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1996, 2006, 2007 and 2012

Cork were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2001

2013 Munster Minor Hurling Championship Matches played

Tipperary 2-18 Waterford 1-15 – April 11^th @ Walsh Park Waterford (Munster Quarter-Final)

Tipperary: B Hogan; A Tierney, J Ryan, D Peters; B Heffernan, R Maher, T Kirwan; T Fox, W Connors; S Ryan, C O’Riordan, S Hennessy; C Lanigan, J Keane, M McCarthy
Subs: K Dunne for Hennessy (45); J Mackey for McCarthy (54), F O’Sullivan for Ryan (59).

Waterford: S Clancy; W Hahessy, S O’Neill, C Leamy; K Daly, A Gleeson, M Harney; M O’Brien, T Devine; Shane Bennett, C Roche, A Farrell; P Curran, DJ Foran, M Kearney
Subs: C Gleeson for O’Brien (26); C Curran for K Daly (47), Stephen Bennett for Farrell (49), MJ Sutton for Shane Bennett (52)

Referee: Jer O’Connell (Cork)

Cork 3-15 Clare 2-14 – April 11^th @ Pairc Ui Rinn (Munster Quarter-Final)

Cork: P Collins; S O’Brien, K O’Connor, K Histon; M O’Keeffe, C Twomey, C Cormack; M Cahalane, R Cahalane; P Kelleher, K O’Neill, T Horgan; A Ward, P O’Callaghan, A Spillane
Subs: M O’Connor for O’Keeffe (24), S Hayes for Ward (45), S Burke for Hayes (59)

Clare: L Corbett; S O’Leary, D McCarthy, N Bolton; A McGuane, E Tuohy, S Gleeson; D Conroy, C Downey; B Duggan, I Galvin, S Ward; C Deasy, D Begley, C Moloney.
Subs: A Morey for Galvin (47), M Lynch for Moloney (56), O Donnellan for Conroy (60)

Referee: John O’Brien (Tipperary)

Waterford 4-18 Clare 1-10 – May 1^st @ Fraher Field Dungarvan (Munster Semi-Final Playoff)

Waterford: S Clancy; B Whelan, S O’Neill, W Hahessey; T Devine, A Gleeson, Shane Bennett; M O’Brien, M Harney; A Farrell, C Roche, C Curran; P Curran, C Gleeson, M Kearney
Subs: Stephen Bennett (Roche 40); K Daly (Whelan 48); DJ Foran (Kearney 50); C Breathnach (O’Brien 52); P O’Connor (P Curran 55).

Clare: L Corbett; S O’Leary, D McCarthy, N Bolton; A McGuane (c), E Tuohy, S Gleeson; C Downey, D Conroy; B Duggan, C Corbett, A Morey; S Ward, D Begley, C Maloney
Subs: R Taylor (Downey 23); M Lynch (Moloney inj. 37); O Donnellan (Corbett 39); K Fennessy (Conroy 51).

Referee: Anthony Sherlock (Tipperary)

2013 Top Scorers – Munster Minor Hurling Championship

Bobby Duggan (Clare) – 3-16 (1-0 penalty, 0-9 frees, 0-2 65)
Patrick Curran (Waterford) – 0-17 (0-8 frees, 0-2 65)
Josh Keane (Tipperary) – 2-9 (0-7 frees, 1-0 penalty)
Pa O’Callaghan (Cork) – 2-6 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees)
Stephen Bennett (Waterford) – 2-0 (1-0 penalty)
Michael Kearney (Waterford) – 1-3
Cormac Curran (Waterford) – 1-2
Anthony Spillane (Cork) – 1-1
Adam Farrell (Waterford) – 0-4
Conor Gleeson (Waterford) – 1-1
Willie Connors (Tipperary) – 0-3
Conor Lanigan (Tipperary) – 0-3
Trevor Horgan (Cork) – 0-3
David Begley (Clare) – 0-3
Peter Kelleher (Cork) – 0-2
Kevin O’Neill (Cork) – 0-2
Colin O’Riordan (Tipperary) – 0-2
Ian Galvin (Clare) – 0-2
Mark O’Brien (Waterford) – 0-2

Shane Hennessy (Tipperary), Mark O’Connor (Cork), E Tuohy (Clare) (0-1 free), C Downey (Clare), A Morey (Clare), Tom Devine (Waterford), Christy Breathnach (Waterford), Austin Gleeson (Waterford), DJ Foran (Waterford) – 0-1 each