Limerick end 12-year wait for place in Munster final

LIMERICK made it to their first Munster football final in 12 years yesterday thanks to their 2-10 to 0-10 victory over Tipperary at Semple Stadium.

Josh Ryan and Brian Donovan grabbed a goal in each half for the Treaty side, who will face Kerry in the provincial decider in Killarney in two weeks’ time.

Tipperary were 0-2 to 0-1 up when Ryan pounced after Donovan’s shot was saved by Michael O’Reilly on 12 minutes. Cillian Fahy’s second point made it 1-2 to 0-2 moments later.

Tipperary pulled themselves back into it through scores from Jack Kennedy, Sean O’Connell and Mark Russell.

Hugh Bourke and Shane O’Connell then traded scores to send the teams in for half-time at 1-3 to 0-6.

Limerick made the better start to the second half with a couple of points, but Tipperary tied it up for a fourth time through Sean O’Connell and Kennedy.

A Robbie Bourke point preceded Donovan’s goal, which put Limerick 2-6 to 0-8 ahead.

They saw the game out with ease after that, with Robbie and Hugh Bourke landing points to earn a six-point win and a spot in the Munster final.

SCORERS – TIPPERARY: Jack Kennedy 0-5 (2f, 3’45s), Sean O’Connell 0-2, Sean O’Connor (1f), Mark Russell and Shane O’Connell 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Josh Ryan 1-1 (1f), Brian Donovan 1-0, Cillian Fahy and Robbie Bourke (1f) 0-3 each, Hugh Bourke 0-2 (1f), Adrian Enright 0-1.