Paudie O'Brien says recent heart-breaking losses ensured Limerick were highly motivated for today's stunning Munster SHC semi-final victory over Tipperary.

The Treaty County suffered agonising defeats to Waterford and Tipp in their last two provincial championship campaigns, while they also lost the last two Allianz League Division 1B finals to Clare and Dublin respectively.

"It does (hurt), and two league finals that we lost too. It hurts when everyone brands you a Division 1B county and everyone says you're not up there with the top counties," the wing back told RTE.

"We'd something to prove today - Limerick's hurling is up there with the best of them.

"This means loads to the people of Limerick, how many matches did we lose with 10-15 minutes to go and we just couldn't find a way to win but we were fit and strong today and we felt if we were there or thereabouts with Tipp we were going to get over the line.

"John Allen always has belief in this team, he just told us and told us we were going to win this game and no matter what way we were going to do it we were going to find a way to win it."

He added: "We're not here to beat Tipp and we're not here to win matches, we're here to win medals. We'll enjoy this but we're back with the clubs next week, back in training the week after. We have to bring silverware back to Limerick." Tweet

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