Lightning Strikes Again At Thules

Munster Senior Hurling Semi-Final (Replay)
Limerick 1-24 Tipperary 2-21 (After extra time)

By Dermot Kavanagh

Whoever it was that uttered those immortal words "that lightening doesn't strike twice". Clearly knows nothing about the hurling rivalry that exists between these neighbouring counties, Limerick and Tipperary.

On Saturday evening at Thurles both counties served up another absorbing, nerve-tingling high-quality game that despite being played over 96 minutes in total could not declare a winner.

So it's on to Limerick next Saturday for the third part of the trilogy, at least. No one would complain if this saga went on and on. Draws and replays are rarely the same, in either quality or result.

There are two similarities however between the two games. First, Tipperary looked to have each game safely in the bag, and second, more spirited rallies by Limerick on every occasion where they just simply refused to be down earned them another day out.

The first shock of the afternoon was the demotion of Tipperary's long-term goalkeeper, Brendan Cummins to the substitute's bench, his replacement being Gerry Kennedy, who was making his senior championship debut.

It was a bold statement by manager Keating, but clearly the rumours of his displeasure at Cummins' refusal to follow puck out instructions last Sunday were more then just talk. Another major statement by the Tipperary management was that they had learned something else from last Sunday by starting team captain and centre back Benny Dunne in the attack. Last Sunday's mauling of Dunne by Ollie Moran would not be repeated.

To the consternation of their supporters Limerick brought more of a swashbuckling approach to the opening half.

In that period it was all Tipperary who, in the process of giving Limerick a hurling lesson, were well worth their halftime lead of 1-10 to Limerick's 0-5.

In fact, thanks to Limerick's deficiencies, particularly in the full back line, Tipperary could have scored two further goals as Eoin Kelly and Benny Dunne missed goal scoring opportunities that on most other days they would have stitched. That Limerick had an O'Shaughnessy shot saved by Kennedy in that period did not appear to matter as Limerick looked down and out at halftime.

While the quality of the hurling in the early stages of the second-half improved considerably there was little evidence of the drama that was about to unfold. Points were freely exchanged, but with 15 minutes gone Tipperary were still 10 points in front. Limerick then began to dominate all parts of the field with substitute Brian Begley starting to cause mayhem in the Tipperary defence every time he got possession. A goal by substitute Fitzgerald and two Moran points reduced the deficit to five points.

While Limerick's resurgence was commendable, a shock result seemed improbable. Still Limerick kept up the pressure and, almost incredibly, they then scored five unanswerable points to put the sides level at 1-19 apiece as the excellent referee called time. It was truly a magnificent comeback by Limerick and once again raised doubts as to Tipperary's ability to kill off games which are there for the winning.

That the momentum was now with Limerick was confirmed in the early stages of extra time when they went one point in front through Fitzgerald. However in Tipperary's first attack Darragh Egan finished a clever Eoin Kelly directed move to the net to put the home side back in the driving seat.

Points were then exchanged by two visible tiring teams as Tipperary held the lead at the break. With supporters of both teams barely able to watch the final 10 minutes, everyone one the field seemed to come up with heroic efforts, some near misses and some lost chances.

Limerick's O' Shaughnessy had the best chance to win the game when, in the 3rd minute of added time, he was narrowly wide with an attempt at goal, though taking a levelling point might have been the better option. If it appeared that Limerick's chance was gone their hurlers refused to believe it. They gained possession from the puck out and immediately launched their final assault, which resulted in a dubious 65 metre award. To O'Shaughnessy's credit he put his miss of the previous minute behind him and he dissected the posts to bring matters to an equitable conclusion.

After the final whistle both sets of supporters appeared almost traumatised by what they had witnessed, Tipperary by their team's almost calamitous collapse and Limerick by their second Lazarus act.

Leaving Limerick last Sunday this Observer felt that the momentum had swung Limerick's way. Leaving Thurles on last Saturday evening I saw nothing to change my mind provided they continue to rule out needless fouling and wasteful shooting - for the record Limerick shot 16 wides during the 96 minutes against Tipperary's six.

The game was played in almost perfect hurling conditions with little-to-no breeze on a perfect sod that revealed little evidence of the previous day's rain. Like last Sunday in Limerick the attendance was slightly in excess of 27,000.