After a cagey affair in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds, the hosts picked up the maiden win of the new-look provincial championship with a 1-23 to 2-14 win over Tipperary.
John Kiely's men have carried their positive National Hurling League form into the Championship, and, with so many of the county's promising young hurlers showing something of what they are capable of this afternoon, victory against Tipperary will bring great validation.
Having traded scores all afternoon, when Limerick manufactured a three-point lead early into the second half, Tipperary's Jason Forde reduced the deficit immediately with a wonderful goal that silenced the home support.
Jason Forde with a second goal for Tipperary! pic.twitter.com/heY5BT1n10
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 20, 2018
After a largely forgettable first-half, the second arrived with a fresh shower of rain. Making conditions that little bit more difficult, wides, the concession of frees and loose treatment of possession was common-place for both sides.
Looking to go down to the wire, Limerick's afternoon took a turn when substitute Barry Murphy was on hand to capitalise on a wonderfully worked move that gave Limerick a goal, and Tipperary a huge mountain to climb.
Goal for Limerick! Barry Murphy bats to the back of the Tipperary net. pic.twitter.com/zqdBTm0PQk
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 20, 2018
Looking a shadow of their usual selves, whereas Limerick had made a number of mistakes in the first half while Tipperary remained solid.
In the second-half, however, roles were reversed and it was Michael Ryan's Tipperary that began making the silly mistakes.
Whereas in recent years one suspects it would be the inexperienced Limerick that would fold in those closing minutes, it was last year's narrowly beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists that faded away when some real action was required.
From here, Limerick will now have a week out of action; returning on 2 June to take on Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. For Tipperary, a one week turnaround is all they are allowed, and Michael Ryan will now need to concentrate on putting this loss behind them against Cork.
