20.07 – It’s not been a free-flowing spectacle in the first-half but the weather conditions have affected that with heavy showers during that opening 30 minutes. Essentially it’s boiled down to a battle between the two respective free-takers, Tipperary’s John O’Dwyer and Limerick’s Shane Dowling. And it was the most significant strike from open play, Denis Maher’s goal for Tipperary, that has proved the difference in enabling Tipperary to lead.

20.26 – The game is becoming a little ragged now with both teams struggling to make headway in attack. The Tipperary defence are doing extremely well in marshalling Dowling and Downes as their impact in the second-half has been limited so far. A change on the Limerick team see Robert O’Donnell in at midfield for Seanie O’Brien.

20.55 – For the second time this season Tipperary have rose to the challenge of travelling away from home. After overturning Cork narrowly by 0-18 to 0-17, they have claimed a five-point success here to ensure they will contest the final on August 8th. They were a well-drilled unit tonight with manager Ken Hogan having assembled a hugely organised outfit. They defended superbly with Pa Ryan, Justin Cahill and Brian Stapleton to the fore in that regard. John O’Dwyer’s freetaking was exemplary up front, Sean Curran did a huge amount of good things in his role in attack while Denis Maher was deservedly crowned man-of-the-match. The Thurles Sarsfields man’s first-half goal was vital in ensuring they created a cushion on the scoreboard early in the game. Tipperary’s shooting improved as the game wore on and despite racking up 16 wides, they did enough to stave off the Limerick challenge.