Munster SHC semi-final
Limerick v Tipperary
Sunday, 4pm
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
(Ref: Brian Gavin, Offaly)
Latest from the medics and management…
Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea has handed senior championship debuts to Kieran Bergin and Jason Forde. O’Shea parachuted in 27 year-old Bergin for a first League outing against Kilkenny in last month’s Nowlan Park final and the Killenaule club man has held his place in the half-back line.
19 year-old Forde scored 1-8 when Tipperary beat Limerick in the recent Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling championship quarter-final and bagged 0-4 when Tipp beat Dublin in the Division 1A League semi-final. Shane Bourke starts a championship game for the first time and Seamus Callanan is picked from the start for the first time since the 2011 All-Ireland final.
O’Shea’s 15 features ten survivors from the Tipp team that started against Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, with Lar Corbett not risked from the start as he continues to recover from cracked ribs.
Limerick boss John Allen has caused a stir by leaving Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling out of his starting line-up. Dowling scored 0-8 against Tipp in last year’s fixture and Downes picked off two points. Paudie O’Brien, Seamus Hickey and Declan Hannon are the three new faces from the side that lost by four points against Tipperary in Thurles last May.
Hannon came on as a 50th minute sub and scored a point in that quarter-final tie. Donal O’Grady and Seanie Tobin missed Limerick’s National League Division 1B final defeat against Dublin but are in the starting line-up for Sunday.
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Stephen Walsh (Glenroe), Richie McCarthy (Blackrock), Tom Condon (Knockaderry); Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock), Wayne McNamara (Adare), Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock); Paul Browne (Bruff), Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry): David Breen (Na Piarsaigh), James Ryan (Garryspillane), Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher); Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Declan Hannon (Adare), Seanie Tobin (Murroe-Boher).
TIPPERARY: Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange); Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Paul Curran (Mullinahone), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); Kieran Bergin (Killenaule), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch) (Captain); Jason Forde (Silvermines), Patrick Maher (Lorrha and Dorrha). John O’Brien (Toomevara); Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).
Checking the odds….
Defending champions Tipperary are raging hot favourites to advance to a third successive Munster final. The Premier County are almost unbackable at 2-9, with Limerick on offer at 7-2.
The draw is a 12-1 chance and the handicap betting is sure to attract many punters, with Tipp -6 available at even money.
Clues from the form guide….
Anything other than a comfortable Tipperary victory would be viewed as a major surprise. Tipperary contested last month’s National League final against Kilkenny and while they lost by three points at Nowlan Park, there was enough about the performance to suggest that the Premier County will be one of the main contenders for provincial and All-Ireland glory.
Tipperary are chasing a first three-in-a-row in Munster since the 1987-89 vintage and Limerick have not beaten Tipperary in the provincial championship since the memorable 2007 trilogy. Limerick did run Tipperary close in Thurles last year as the hosts came from five points down with 20 minutes remaining to win by four.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
But forewarned is forearmed from a Tipperary perspective and in his first championship game at the helm, boss Eamon O’Shea will want his players to lay down a real marker. Traditionally, Limerick have never feared Tipperary but their failure to emerge, once again, from Division 1B of the National League is a concern.
Limerick lost to a Dublin team that was then demolished by Tipp in the Division 1 semi-final. And while Limerick scored a recent victory over Kilkenny in a challenge outing, the step up to championship pace will prove too much for the Shannonsiders.
The game breakers are….
If Eamon O’Shea was harbouring any lingering doubts about Jason Forde’s ability as a senior hurler, they were dispelled when the Silvermines star fired over 0-4 against Dublin in the National League semi-final. And on a night when Limerick’s senior stars – including Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling – failed to sparkle, Forde rifled 1-8 against the Treaty men in the recent Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling quarter-final.
Forde is a special talent but the Tipperary attack in general is laced with scoring ability. The movement of the Tipperary forwards will keep Limerick’s defence guessing and both Richie McCarthy and Wayne McNamara have big jobs on their hands in the pivotal central positions.
In attack, a dangerous looking inside line comprised of Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and Seanie Tobin have the ability to hurt Tipperary but they’ll have to bypass a solid-looking Tipp half-back line.
If Limerick are struggling, they have Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling to come off the bench and they’ll be anxious to impress after being left out of the starting line-up. The battle around the middle third of the field will provide the key to victory and it won’t be a surprise to see Tipp’s Noel McGrath drifting out to play as a third midfielder.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Gazing into the crystal ball….
We can only see one winner. Recent form and the respective starting line-ups suggest that although Tipperary will have to work hard, they’ll do more than enough to set up a Munster final meeting with Cork or Clare. The start is everything for Limerick. If they’re sluggish and Tipperary are sharper on the back of Division 1A fare, this game could be over early.
But if Limerick can stay with Tipperary for the opening 20 minutes and dig in there, it could be an uncomfortable afternoon for the visitors. Traditionally, Tipperary have found the Gaelic Grounds a difficult venue to deal with but the vast majority of the starting line-up have experienced good days there too, including the 2008 Munster final victory over Clare.
The return of Eamon O’Shea has helped to lift the gloom that hung over Tipperary following last year’s 18-point hammering at the hands of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final. And on the back of an encouraging National League campaign, there’s a growing sense of expectation that Tipp can embark on another successful championship campaign.
There are far more certainties about Tipperary right now than Limerick, who go into battle with too many question marks hanging over them. For example, will Donal O’Grady adapt to midfield after a stint at centre back and a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury? Similarly, how will Seamus Hickey fare in attack when he’s played all of his previous championship hurling in defence?
Tipperary to advance – and with plenty to spare.
