Limerick served notice of their championship ambitions with a crushing nine-point victory over All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the Munster SHC semi-final at a rain-swept Páirc Ui Chaoimh.
Aaron Gillane contributed 2-06 as the Munster holders were hugely impressive in the miserable conditions.
Eleven different Limerick players scored, with sub Seamus Flanagan's late goal providing the icing on the cake as they progressed to a final against Waterford in two weeks' time.
For Tipp, the manner of the defeat will have to be absorbed quickly as they face into a do or die qualifier, potentially next weekend.
Hurling qualifier draw live on RTÉ's Morning Ireland
Played in strong wind and driving rain it was the Munster champions who made the brighter start with scores from Diarmuid Byrnes and Gearoid Hegarty before Jason Forde got Tipp up and running with a third-minute free.
Playing with a strong wind at their backs, Limerick raced into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead with Tom Morrissey (2), Will O’Donoghue, and Aaron Gillane on target as it looked like it would be a long half for the All-Ireland champions.
However, Liam Sheedy's side responded through a point from Noel McGrath and two frees from Jason Forde as Limerick’s indiscipline kept them in the game.
Limerick pulled 0-9 to 0-5 ahead before Tipp struck for a timely goal on 19 minutes as Seamus Callanan’s sublime pass put Jake Morris in for the green flag.
However, Limerick cancelled it out within seconds with a kicked effort from Aaron Gillane after a mistake in the Tipp defence.
However, they responded through a point from Noel McGrath and two frees from Jason Forde as Limerick indiscipline was keeping Tipp in the game. Limerick pulled 0-9 to 0-5 ahead when Tipp struck for a timely goal on nineteen minutes as Seamus Callanan's sublime pass put Jake Morris in for the green flag.
However, Limerick cancelled it out within seconds with a kicked effort from Aaron Gillane after a mistake in the Tipp defence. Tipp stayed in contention and trailed 1-12 to 1-8 coming up to half time but five unanswered points game Limerick a commanding nine point lead at the break.
Two goals within 40 seconds as Jake Morris and Aaron Gillane score for Tipperary and Limerick respectively.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 1, 2020
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Tipp stayed in contention and trailed 1-12 to 1-08 coming up to half time but five unanswered points gave Limerick a commanding nine point lead at the break.
Tipp reeled off three points at the start of the second half as they threatened a revival but their hopes were set back in the 46th minute when Gearoid Hegarty was pulled down in the square and Gillane converted the penalty for a ten point lead.
Despite playing second fiddle for long spells, Tipp hung in and a John McGrath goal on 54 minutes gave them hope - though replays showed his brother Noel had touched the ball on the ground before delivering the handpass that John controlled superbly.
A subsequent Alan Flynn point cut the margin to five but that was as close as Tipperary got as Limerick’s bench contributed 1-3, including a goal for Flanagan to seal a comprehensive victory.
John McGrath's goal is a big talking point here in the Munster Hurling Championship semi-final.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) November 1, 2020
Tipperary trying to rally against Limerick
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Limerick: Nicky Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmuid Byrnes (0-3, 2f), Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O'Donovan, Will O’Donoghue (0-2); Gearoid Hegarty (0-2), Cian Lynch (0-2); Tom Morrissey (0-2); Graeme Mulcahy (0-2), Aaron Gillane (2-6, 1-0 pen, 0-5f), Peter Casey (0-1).
Subs: David Reidy (0-1) for T Morrissey (55); Seamus Flanagan (1-1) for Mulcahy (59); Pat Ryan (0-1) for O’Donovan (63); David Dempsey for Hegarty (69 inj).
Tipperary: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher, Sean O’Brien; Brendan Maher (0-1), Padraic Maher, Barry Heffernan; Alan Flynn (0-1), Noel McGrath (0-2); Jason Forde (0-10f), John McGrath (1-0), Niall O’Meara (0-1); Mark Kehoe, Seamus Callanan, Jake Morris (1-1).
Subs: Michael Breen (0-1) for Kehoe (45); John Meagher for P Maher (51); Dan McCormack for O’Meara (54); John O’Dwyer for Morris (61); Paddy Cadell for Heffernan (68 inj).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
