Limerick turn on style to hammer Tipperary
Limerick made it two wins from two in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship following a 2-27 to 0-18 win over Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
John Kiely's charges produced a stunning second-half display with goals from Aaron Gillane and Peter Casey adding gloss to their win.
They now go into the two-week break with maximum points while Tipperary must respond against Waterford in their next game.
Gillane and Jason Forde traded frees in the opening minutes before Gearoid O’Connor put Tipperary in front with the first point from play.
Limerick responded with fine scores from Kyle Hayes and Cathal O’Neill with Gillane’s second free putting them 0-04 to 0-02 ahead on 10 minutes.
Peter Casey thought he had a goal for Limerick in that time but referee Liam Gordon ruled the goal out after he judged that Kyle Hayes had picked the ball off the ground earlier in the move.
Forde and Mark Kehoe soon had Liam Cahill’s side back on level terms, however, as both sides struggled to find their best.
Tom Morrissey and Eoghan Connolly popped over points for their respectinve sides before O’Neill’s second of the half had Limerick back ahead.
Forde levelled and Sean Hayes then had a goal chance for Tipperary but was brilliantly denied by Nickie Quaid.
Limerick rattled off the next six scores. Four of them came from Gillane, while Peter Casey then put the All-Ireland champions well clear. Forde’s fourth of the half saw the score at 0-12 to 0-06 in Limerick’’s favour.
Tipperary brought on Noel McGrath and Patrick 'Bonner’ Maher to bolster their attack in the second half and both had an impact with Cahill’s charges improving after the break.
Their fine start to the half was ended though as Gillane got on a loose ball following a Byrnes mis-hit free