Limerick 1-17

Tipperary 2-12

Ardscoil Ris starlet Cathal O'Neill fired 0-10 - 0-6 from play - as Limerick came from behind to make a winning start to their Munster MHC campaign at Tipperary's expense at the Gaelic Grounds.

The classy wing forward from Crecora-Manister was the difference between the sides as the hosts recovered from a five-point deficit early in the second half to run out winners. Emmet McEvoy also excelled at centre back for the winners who had trailed by a point at half-time.

Tipp, who were left to rue a tally of 15 wides, had the game's first two points from James Devanney and Ryan Renehan, but three from O'Neill had the sides level on 0-3 each after 16 minutes. Renehan then had to settle for a point from a penalty after Limerick goalkeeper Bryan Heavey deflected his shot over the bar. Full forward Bob Purcell grabbed two points late in the half to leave Tipp leading 0-8 to 0-7 at the break.

The lead changed hands just after the restart when O'Neill and Colin Coughlan were on target for Limerick before two goals in the space of a minute from Sean Hayes gave Tipp a five-point cushion, 2-9 to 0-10, with 11 minutes remaining.

However, Limerick replied with a goal from Cormac Ryan before an O'Neill free levelled proceedings with six minutes to go. O'Neill added two more points to put the Treaty County back in front and they survived a big scare in injury-time when Tipp's John Campion had a goal-bound effort tipped over for a point.

Limerick - B Heavey; P Hartnett, B Herlihy, M Keane; E O'Mahony, E McEvoy, J Nicholas; D Kennedy, B O'Connor; C O'Neill (0-10, 3f, 1'65), C Ryan (1-1), D Hegarty; C Coughlan (0-3), B Purcell (0-2), B Nix (0-1). Subs: S Hurley for D Kennedy, P Kirby for D Hegarty, C Casey for B O'Connor, D Riordan for S Hurley, M Martin for C Coughlan.

Tipperary - A Browne; C O'Dwyer, C Whelan, K Hayes; J Ryan (0-1), F Purcell, F Hanafin; M Hackett (0-1), J Campion (0-1); S Hayes (2-1), D Ryan, K O'Kelly (0-2); J Lanigan, R Renehan (0-3, 1sl, 1pen), J Devanney (0-2). Subs: M O'Shea (0-1) for J Lanigan, K Maher for R Renehan, C O'Farrell for D Ryan, E Purcell for K O'Kelly.

Referee - N Wall.

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