Tipperary by a long way

IF TIPPERARY'S hurling goalkeeper Brendan Cummins is having sweet dreams lately of being a figure of hero worship this summer, he got a fair idea of what it might be like in this football game at Clonmel yesterday.

His introduction for the second half of this replayed Munster championship match led to instant discomfort for the already tiring Limerick defence. A contribution of eight points from the Ardfinnan player added to Tipperary's attacking performance. It was something that the home crowd badly needed to see in the wake of an abysmal first half showing that resulted in 10 wides, against a single wayward shot for Limerick.

Limerick experienced more lows than highs in quite a forgettable afternoon. They were flattered in lost time by a goal, following a penalty kick, by Damien Reidy, who sent Martin Quinlivan's parried effort to the net.

Slightly earlier they had their captain, Ed Walsh, sent to the line for a second bookable offence.

But it was Cummins's day. His first love is hurling a factor that will preclude any chance of a tug-o-war for his services between the county's hurling and football selectors.

"I had to withdraw from the football panel because of clashes with hurling training nights," said the delighted Tipperary man. "I was glad to be of some help today."

He was given a call-up in mid-week by football manager Paddy Morrissey as a hack-up player when defections of forwards struck the camp.

I knew I would not have Peter (Lambert) and Declan Browne was hospitalised during the week. I am pleased the way it has worked out for us," said Morrissey.

Lambert's absence, and that of Browne for the second half, was fully compensated for by Cummins, whose name was not even on the match programme.

Limerick got every chance to overcome any inhibitions they might have had about playing in Clonmel when, after only 15 seconds, midfielder John Quane drilled a searing left-footed shot to the Tipperary net.

Not much time had elapsed, however, before it became apparent that Tipperary were better equipped in most facets of play. But the inability of their forwards to translate adroitly-created opportunities into scores enabled Limerick to remain in contention.

Tipperary would not have been flattered by a much greater winning margin. "We were wiped out in midfield and they (Tipperary) closed us down in the important areas on the tight pitch," said a disappointed Dave Quirk, the Limerick manager.

It had been different in Limerick a week earlier, when Quane and Donal Fitzgibbon had played far more important roles than those they could manage against the dominant Derry Foley and Sean Maher this time.

With 70 training nights and 20 matches under their belt, Tipperary showed an edge in fitness and combined play that Limerick could only try to imitate. Limerick's efforts at combined moves between defence and attack were often a poor parody of Tipperary's confident and purposeful advances.

Sterling work by Tipperary defenders such as Brian Lacey, Liam Cronin and Bernard Hahessy, restricted Limerick opportunities.

Foley was truly supreme under the high ball and his distribution was usually pin-point accurate. John Owens, the Tipperary attack leader, was tirelessly energetic and effective throughout. Browne was unfortunate to sustain a first half injury and equally unfortunate to strike the crossbar before he had to retire.

Limerick made it to the last four of the Munster minor championship when they beat Tipperary 3-9 to 3-7 in a thrilling preliminary first round play-off, also at Clonmel yesterday.

The line-up for the semi-finals, to be played on July 7th, is Limerick versus Clare and Cork versus Kerry.

The heroes for Limerick yesterday were in the full forward line, where Eddie Scully and Colm Hickey accounted for 3-7 of their grand total.

Scully, who tormented the Tipperary defence every time he got possession, was top scorer with 1-6, while the skilful Hickey slammed home two goals and got Limerick's opening point in the second minute.