Tipperary and Limerick served up a fantastic second half display in the Guinness Munster senior hurling championship at Semple Stadium but they must do it all again having finished level, on scoreline of 2-14 apiece.
A last minute point from Paul O'Grady resulted in stalemate at the end of 70 minutes of pulsating play in front of 30,000 thrilled fans.
Tipp netted through John Devane right at the end and seemed to be heading to the semi-final, until O'Grady popped up to level the game.
Tipperary started very brightly indeed with their attackers carving the Limerick defence open time and again.
However they were failing to put the scores on the board and when Donncha Sheehan goalled for Limerick in the 20th minute they raced into a two-point lead which they maintained until the break, 0-08 to 1-07.
A goal for Limerick from a TJ Ryan penalty immediately after the break gave the Shannonsiders the initiative but Tipp battled back hard and subsitiute Ger O'Grady breathed new life into the attack with a brilliantly taken 18th minute goal.
Then Devane hit the net for Tipp at the end and it seemed that Tipp would advance.
But this game had another sting in the tail Paul O'Grady forcing the replay with a fine score.
Despite all the problems being experienced in Limerick with the departure of former Boss Pa Joe Whelehan, their hurlers played with a real vigour and will count themselves unlucky not to have claimed the honours.
However, they now face Tipperary on home ground in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening next for the replay.
Full back turned fuill forward TJ Ryan was their hero scoring 1-7 from his position.
Tipp Boss Ken Hogan admitted after the game that his side did not play well and he added that they will have to improve in all areas if they are to progress on Saturday.
Tipperary: B Cummins, M Maher, P Maher, P Curran, D Fanning, D Kennedy, E Corcoran, C Morrissey (0-01), P Kelly (0-04), J Devane (1-00), F Devaney, B Dunne, E Kelly (0-07), P O'Brien, L Corbett (0-01).
Subs: G O'Grady (1-00) for F Devaney; T Dunne (0-01) for B Dunne; D Fitzgerald for E Corcoran; M Webster for C Morrissey.
Limerick: T Houlihan, D Reale, S Lucey, M Foley, O Moran, B Geary, P Lawlor, P O'Grady (0-01), D O'Grady, C Fitzgerald (0-01), N Moran (0-03), A O'Shaughnessy, D Ryan, TJ Ryan (1-07), D Sheehan.
Subs: P Tobin (0-02) for S Sheehan; M Cahill for C Fitzgerald.
Referee: D Kirwin (Cork)
