Just the tonic for returning boss Sheedy
TIPPERARY, under the returning Liam Sheedy as manager, were worthy winners over All-Ireland champions Limerick in a hard fought Munster League game at the Gaelic Grounds.
Seamus Callanan, troubled with a back injury for much of the year, bounced back in style for Tipperary as he scored 2-7, and his off-load also created a fine goal for Mark Kehoe.
Sheedy used a blend of youth and experience and would surely have been happy with the outcome.
Mexico-bound Limerick (heading off on their annual team holiday) started with eight of their Championship-winning side, and they battled bravely.
Indeed, they might have had a late goal but for a superb save by Brian Hogan in the Tipperary goal.
James Barry, Seamus Kennedy, Ronan Maher gave the best assistance possible to Callanan while Limerick had good performances from Sean Finn, Paddy O’Loughlin, Barry O’Connell and Aaron Gillane, who once again was top scorer for his side with a final tally of 1-7, six points of which came from frees.
Tipperary afforded the champions the traditional guard of honour but within 50 seconds of the throw-in the visitors went in front courtesy of a penalty superbly struck low by Callanan.
Starting with eight of the side who bridged the 45-year barren spell in August, Limerick hit back with points from O’Connell, David Reidy and Colin Ryan to level.
Two frees from Callanan were matched by points from Gillane — a free — and Reidy again.
Jason Forde had Tipperary back in front again but a superb point by Colin Ryan tied it up once again.
They were level twice more before Callanan struck a magnificent goal, sweeping in from near the corner, and the full forward then created the chance for newcomer Mark Kehoe to blast past goalkeeper Nickie Quaid.
Seamus Flanagan was sent in by Limerick boss John Kiely to replace Graeme Mulcahy after 29 minutes.
Midway through the first half, manager Sheedy made his first switch when he moved Ronan Maher to midfield with Michael Breen going to centre-forward.
Andrew La Touche Cosgrave had the last score of the opening half which produced many quality moments to leave Tipperary in front by 3-6 to 0-11.
Limerick badly needed to get a good second-half start but within four minutes a pointed from Callanan and a goal by Patrick Maher had Tipperary back in control.
Tipp led 4-9 to 0-12 when David Reidy scored a splendid goal for the home side, who had another very late on through Gillane.
LIMERICK: N Quaid; W O’Meara, S Finn, D Morrissey; P O’Loughlin, D Hannon (D Byrnes 59), A La Touche Cosgrave; C Lynch, C Ryan; G Hegarty, B O’Connell (C Boylan 55), D Reidy; A Gillane, G Mulcahy (S Flanagan 29), P Ryan (O O’Reilly 58).
Scorers: A Gillane 1-7 (6f); D Reidy 1-3; B O’Connell, C Ryan 0-3 each; A La Touche Cosgrave 0-1.
TIPPERARY: B Hogan; S O’Brien (J O’Dwyer 48), J Barry, D Maher; B Heffernan, S Kennedy, T Fox; M Breen (Morris 49), W Connors (J Cahill 63); C English, R Maher, D McCormack; J Forde (M McCarthy 65), S Callanan, M Kehoe (Patrick Maher HT).
Scorers: S Callanan 2-8 (1pen, 7f), M Kehoe, Patrick Maher 1-0 each; J Forde, R Maher 0-2 each; C English, D McCormack 0-1 each.
Referee: Rory McGann (Clare).