Tipp into Munster U20 Hurling Final after big win over Limerick

GAA: Fulfil Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Round 5

Limerick 2-8

Tipperary 4-20

Report: Shane Brophy at the TUS Gaelic Grounds

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jamie Ormond (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Limerick: Robert O’Farrell 0-4 (3 frees); Dara Ferland, Jack Cosgrove 1-0; each; James Coughlan 0-2 frees; Cathal Dennehy, Eoin Bresnan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Cormac Fitzpatrick 1-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 ’65); David Costigan 2-3; Jamie Ormond 1-3; Shane Cleary 0-2; Stefan Tobin, Robbie Ryan, Eoghan Doughan 0-1 each.

Tipperary secured direct passage to the Munster Under 20 Hurling Final after a comfortable victory over already eliminated Limerick on Wednesday.

With Cork beating Clare by four points, it meant Tipp needed to beat the Shannonsiders by thirteen or more to finish top of the round-robin section after all three teams finished on six points from four game.

And they duly achieved that, with an efficient shooting display of 24 scores from 30 shots while Limerick, minus seniors Matthew Fitzgerald and Hugh Flanagan, shot a massive 21 wides.

Despite playing against the breeze in the opening half, Tipp laid the platform for victory as they went in at half time 2-11 to 0-4 in front, the goals coming from David Costigan and captain Jamie Ormond who was excellent once again.

With the possibility that Cork would only win narrowly, Tipp looked to push on in the second half and a second Costigan goal on 37 minutes pushed them fifteen points ahead.

However, quick-fire goals from sub Dara Ferland and Jack Cosgrove reduced Tipp’s score difference boost but they started to rebuild again with the aid of two good Shane Cleary points and a fourth goal from Cormac Fitzpatrick on 45 minutes, helped by the presence of team captain Oisin O’Donoghue just moments after being sent into the fray.

The senior star didn’t get on the scoresheet but helped Tipp stretch their winning margin to eighteen points which proved enough to finish top of the table with a +20 score difference and straight into the Munster Final on May 13th where they will play the winners of the semi-final between Cork and Clare who will meet again back in Pairc Ui Chaoimh next Wednesday.

TEAMS – Limerick: Alex Kearns; John Murray, Eamon Richardson, Jackie Dwane; James Coughlan, Jack Cosgrove, Sean Duff; Conor Ryan (Capt), Aidan O’Connell; John O’Connor, Darragh Gleeson, Killian Begley; Robert O’Farrell, Cathal Dennehy, Eoin Brosnan.

Subs: Dara Ferland for Begley (28); Oran Crowley for Murray (HT); Michael Hanly for O’Connell (HT); Patrick Kearney for Gleeson (HT); Michael Leo for Ryan (59).

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 (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone); David Costigan (Moycarkey/Borris), Tiarnan Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill), Stefan Tobin (Carrick Swan); Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill), Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens, Vice-Capt), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch).

Sub: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall) for T Ryan (HT); Patrick Ryan (Borris-Ileigh) for Rowan (37); Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs, Capt) for R Ryan (45 inj); Jack Hayes (Moycarkey/Borris) for Ormond (48); Jake Donelan-Houlihan (Nenagh Eire Og) for A Ryan (51).

Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford)