Corbett the key

Tipperary remained top of Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League after a clear-cut win over Limerick at rain-swept Semple Stadium on Saturday.

An impressive Tipperary side brushed Limerick aside with surprising ease. Despite conceding a goal to Donnacha Sheehan in the fifth minute, Tipperary dominated the first half.

Lar Corbett was a key figure, swooping for a quality goal off a Benny Dunne delivery in the 17th minute. That put Tipperary 1-5 to 1-0 clear and with Tommy Dunne in splendid form at midfield they reached the interval leading 1-12 to 1-2 and on course for their second brace of points.

Limerick gave their supporters in the disappointing 3,021 attendance something to shout about in the third quarter as they hit five points without reply.

Ciaran Carey was introduced to bolster their challenge but Tipperary brought full-forward Ger O' Grady out as an extra midfielder and the tide began to turn. Tipp hit three points without reply to regain the initiative by the 21st minute and subsequently their win was never in doubt.

Tipperary had every reason to be happy afterwards, particularly with the displays of newcomers Aidan Butler and Brian Horgan but it was seasoned campaigners Eamon Corcoran, Tommy Dunne, Brendan Cummins and Benny Dunne who called the shots, while Corbett turned in another top-drawer performance in the attack.

Limerick are pointless after two games and have a lot of catching up to do. Eugene Mulcahy, Eoin Foley, Mark Foley, Maurice O'Brien and Sheehan did well but it is going to take considerable improvement all round for them to reach the qualifying stages.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; M Maher, J Devane, B Dunne; E Corcoran, A Butler, B Horgan; T Dunne 0-3, E Brislane 0-1; M O'Leary 0-1, C Gleeson 0-1, B O'Meara 0-2; E Kelly 0-5, G O'Grady 0-1, L Corbett 1-3. Sub: M Ryan for Brislane.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, E Mulcahy, M O'Brien; E Foley, B Geary, M Foley 0-2; P Lawlor, O Moran; J O' Brien, TJ Ryan, J Meskell 0-4; D Sheehan 1-1, B Begley, N Moran, Subs: B Foley 0-1 for J O' Brien, C Carey for Meskell.

Referee: S McMahon (Clare).