Shelly strikes to inspire Tipp
TIPPERARY remain in the Munster MFC hunt after this extra-time win over Limerick at Newcastle West.
Kyle Shelly was the hero for Tipp with his 2-3 tally proving crucial after Kevin O’Kelly had forced extra-time with a stunning leveller for Limerick.
The home side had raced into a early three-point lead but a Mark O’Meara free brought Tipperary back into the contest and they then went ahead again on 14 minutes through a Shelly penalty.
Limerick were soon back in front when Eoghan Moloney buried the game’s second penalty.
Tipp managed to claw back that lead to the bare minimum before half-time through a superb Christy English effort from 35 metres.
The Premier County made two changes at half-time and they paid dividends as three points in a row put them ahead. And when Shelly buried his second goal in the 40th minute it looked like the visitors were in control.
Limerick rallied late on with some superb free-taking by Moloney and a free from Kevin Guina, followed by O’Kelly’s equaliser to force another 20 minutes. However, Tipp were the better side in extra-time with Shelly again proving the class act, helping them to a four-point success.
SCORERS – Tipperary : K Shelly 2-3 (1-0 pen); C English 0-4 (2f); S O’Connor 0-2 (2fs); M O’Meara (f), D Ryan, J Holloway 0-1 each. Limerick: D Moloney 1-5 (1-0 pen, 5fs); E Murphy 0-2; J Hayes, K Guina (f), K O’Kelly, L Gleeson 0-1 each. TIPPERARY – C Scully; T McDonagh, S Lowe, C McDonagh; M O’Meara, G Meagher, J Ryan; B Murphy, K Ryan; K Hayes, D Ryan, E Daly; M Hackett, C English, K Shelly. Subs: S O’Connor for Hackett (h-t), R Byron for Murphy (h-t), C Whelan for Ryan (BC 44), J O’Sullivan for Meagher (57), J Holloway for Daly (59). LIMERICK – K Walsh; M O’Hanrahan, T Lyons, S Bradshaw; L Gammell, C Carew, D O’Keeffe; J Molyneaux, J Hayes; B Foley, D Moloney, D Kearns; P O’Shaughnessy, E Murphy, P Gallagher. Subs: K O’Kelly for Gallagher (41), L Scannell for O’Keeffe (47), L Gleeson for Foley (49), K Guina for Gammell (50), R O’Connor for Moloney (56).