by James McMahon
Limerick and Tipperary have met 63 times in the Munster championship, with Tipp ahead on victories 34-26, and three drawn matches between the sides.
2007 was the last time they met in provincial combat. In what was a compelling trilogy the counties played out two draws in the semi-final, before Limerick won the third encounter 0-22 to 2-13.
2009 saw their last championship meeting, with the Premier county easily winning that year’s All-Ireland semi-final on a scoreline of 6-19 to 2-07.
Limerick 6-7 Tipperary 2-18 – Munster SHC final, 29 July 1973
A Munster decider that ended in welter of excitement saw Limerick claim their first title since 1955.
With time almost up and the sides level, a controversial ’70 was awarded to the Shannonsiders. Richie Bennis was entrusted with the delivery, and was told in no certain teams by the match referee that he must score direct from the ’70.
The attendance of 41,723 held its breath as Bennis readied himself to send the ball over the bar and secure a famous victory for his side.
Some debate followed as to the validity of the score, with Tipperary players and supporters claiming the sliotar had drifted wide. John D Hickey’s report in the Irish Independent referred to an incident after the game where the umpire, who signalled the winning point, got a dig of a hurley from a Tipperary back.
To lose an epic encounter by a point was no doubt hard to swallow for the Tipp men, but the concession of six goals ultimately proved to be their undoing. Their full-back line, apart from the efforts of Jim Fogarty, had a testing afternoon.
As well as hitting over the winning point, Richie Bennis helped himself to 1-05 for the winners, while Frankie Nolan and Eamon Cregan bagged two goals each. Bernie Hartigan’s switch from left-half forward to midfield gave Limerick the impetus to drive on after the break after they trailed for much of the opening period.
Three quick goals shortly after the resumption had them in front and even though Tipp were to level twice before the end, Bennis’ coolness under pressure ensured Limerick’s long wait for the Munster crown.
A week later, Limerick defeated London in the All-Ireland semi-final in Ennis and subsequently proved too strong for a Kilkenny side, short a few regulars in the September decider. It was the Treaty county’s first title since 1940.
Scorers:
Limerick – F Nolan (2-1), E Cregan (2-0), M Dowling 1-0), R Bennis (1-05), L O’Donoghue (0-01)
Tipperary – F Loughnane (2-10), M Keating (0-04), S Hogan (0-02), N O’Dwyer (0-01), J Flanagan (0-01)
Tipperary 3-13 Limerick 4-10 – Munster SHC semi-final, 7 June 1981
An inclement day in Thurles saw Tipperary and Limerick play out an absorbing draw in what was a certainly a game of two halves.
The Premiermen, aided by a strong wind, were certainly the more sharper in the opening period. Playing a neat brand of hurling, they built up a 2-10 to 0-03 advantage at the break. John Grogan and Peadar Queally got the goals, as the Limerick defence, more often than not, were hesitant in dealing with the Tipp raids.
Indeed, if the home side had taken all the chances that came their way, they would have been so far ahead that Limerick may just as well have thrown in the towel at half-time.
The transformation on the resumption was nothing short of remarkable. Limerick midfielder Brian Carroll delivered a long, curling shot that caught Tipp custodian, Pat McLoughney off guard for a goal after 45 minutes and the recovery was underway.
Six minutes later, full-forward Joe McKenna fielded high outfield and made a darting run which ended with a rasping shot to the back of the net.
The Limerick half-back line was now on top, with Tipp finding it hard to get scores. Brian Carroll, aided by Jimmy Carroll (no relation) began to lord midfield, and McKenna’s influence in the full-forward line was to have an even more telling effect.
After good work by Liam O’Donoghue, the South Liberties clubman gathered possession and delivered another piledriver to the net after 56 minutes. Two minutes later, the hat-trick was complete, with O’Donoghue again the provider.
Limerick were now 4-08 to 2-12 ahead amid a bevy of excitement, with chances for both sides failing to find the range. With seven minutes left, John Grogan received a pass from Seamus Bourke and goaled to put Tipp back in front. However, Gerry McMahon soon levelled matters from close range.
Points were subsequently exchanged from Pat Fox and Joe McKenna to leave the game tied up at the final whistle.
The replay took place a fortnight later in Limerick, with the home side well on top throughout as they as they eased to a 3-17 to 2-12 victory. They subsequently defeated Clare in the Munster final, before falling short against Galway in an absorbing All-Ireland semi-final replay.
Tipperary – P McLoughney, P Williams, J Keogh, T O’Connor; T Barry, M Carroll (0-01), D Cahill; P Fitzelle, P Ryan; K Fox (0-01), G O’Brien, E O’Shea (0-03); P Fox (0-01), P Queally (1-1), J Grogan (2-6)
Subs: P McGrath for Ryan, S Bourke for Carroll, J O’Dwyer for Keogh
Limerick – T Quaid; P Fitzmaurice, D Murray, P Herbert; L O’Donoghue, S Foley, D Punch; J Carroll, B Carroll (1-00); O’Connor, J Flanagan (0-03), G Mulcahy; D O’Riordan, J McKenna (3-01), E Cregan (0-04)
Subs: P Kelly (0-01) for O’Riordan, J McCarthy for Murray, G McMahon (0-01) for Mulcahy
