Limerick seal Munster football final date with Kerry

Goals from Josh Ryan and Brian Donovan proved to be the difference as Limerick ran out six-point winners over Tipperary at Semple Stadium to book a place in their first Munster final in 12 years.

Both sides were level at half time after Ryan found the net after 12 minutes, but Limerick were by far the better side in the second half with Brian Donovan raising the green flag in the 55th minute to secure a historic win in Thurles.

Victory sets up a Munster SFC showdown against Kerry in Killarney in two weeks' time.

With the Limerick hurlers having all but secured their place in this year’s Munster final, it will be the first time since 1934 that both codes have featured in the provincial showdown in the same year.

The win marks Billy Lee’s five-year anniversary as Limerick manager, and the Newcastle West man’s first Munster SFC semi-final win in charge.

Tipperary had the home advantage, but the momentum seemed to tilt in Limerick’s favour from the get-go, and Billy Lee’s side pointed after just 20 seconds.

Peter Nash linked up well with Cillian Fahy after the Dromcollogher/Broadford midfielder burst through the Tipperary defence to slot over the game’s opening score.

Jack Kennedy – his first of five points – had the two sides level by the fifth minute, before a Sean O’Connor free had David Power’s side ahead for the first time.

The visitors responded immediately, continuing to get off to a flying start, and when Josh Ryan fired raised the green flag in the 12th minute and with the Limerick forwards looking sharp and alert, Fahy added his second point of the evening to give them momentum.

Ryan had put Limerick 1-1 to 0-2 ahead after reacting quickest when Michael O’Reilly saved well from a Brian Donovan shot on goal.

However,