Limerick 3-24

Tipperary 1-15

Limerick are through to their sixth Munster MHC final in seven years after cruising to a 15-point point victory over Tipperary in their final game of the round-robin series at Semple Stadium.

Clare's victory over Cork in Cusack Park paves the way for a first all-Shannonside decider since 1989 in a fortnight's time. First half goals from Cathal O'Neill and Aidan O'Connor helped Limerick to a 2-13 to 0-9 half-time lead and it was all over bar the shouting when Adam English raised their third green flag five minutes into the second half.

Despite the late withdrawal of their captain Michael Keane through injury, Limerick bossed proceedings and led by 0-3 to 0-2 after seven minutes thanks to a brace of O'Neill frees and a Patrick O'Donovan effort from play. O'Neill, who finished with 1-10 to his credit, then grabbed the opening goal before two points each from Patrick Reale and Cian Casey, and another from O'Neill, helped the winners to a 1-8 to 0-5 lead after 17 minutes.

Free-taker Jack Leamy kept Tipp in it before O'Connor netted in the final minute of the half to send the Treaty boys into the break with a 10-point lead.

English's early second half goal made it 3-14 to 0-10 in Limerick's favour and ended the game as a contest. Substitute Kyle Shelly pulled back a late goal for the hosts, but the result was never in doubt.

Limerick - J Franklin; R Lyons, M Cremin, F O’Connor; J Quilty, E Hurley, A Murrihy; P Kirby (0-2), P Reale (0-2); L Lynch (0-1), C O’Neill (1-10, 0-7f), C Casey (0-2); A O’Connor (1-2, 0-1f), A English (1-1), P O’Donovan (0-3). Subs: D Hegarty for C Casey, E Stokes (0-1) for P Kirby, C Hanley Clarke for A English, B O’Meara for F O’Connor, D Casey for P Reale.

Tipperary - S Gleeson; S Loughran, E Connolly, J Duncan; E Marnane, C Lloyd, R Walsh; C O’Dwyer (0-2), J Campion (0-1); C Ryan (0-1), S Ferncombe, P Creedon; C Fogarty (0-1), T Cahill (0-1), J Leamy (0-7, 5f). Subs: K Ryan (0-1) for S Ferncombe, M Corcoran for E Connolly, C Deely for C Ryan, C McElvey (0-1) for T Cahill, K Shelly (1-0) for C Fogarty.

Referee - T Walsh.

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