Declan Ryan hailed Tipperary's "fantastic spirit" after they came from seven points down to edge out Limerick at Semple Stadium.

"It was looking dodgy from a Tipp point of view with 15 minutes left," the relieved Premier County boss admitted.

"Limerick were hurling with their tails up, with typical Limerick spirit, but our lads kept battling away and we tagged on a few points. I'm delighted with the way we finished.

"I think these guys will know that if they're within a couple of scores of the opposition they have a chance. I think they showed fantastic spirit, all the hard work done since January paid off and they were travelling very well in the last seven or eight minutes."

Ryan was delighted that the changes he made had the desired effect.

"You've to read the game as you see it and make the changes when you feel they're needed. Some day they work, some days they don't," he continued.

"Patrick (Maher) has great energy about him. Shane (McGrath) has been going very well in training in the last three weeks. I'm delighted with what they added when they came on. We'll have to look at this game again - we don't have a great record down in Cork in recent years, but we have a lot to play for." Tweet

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