Into the evening they slugged it out underneath an unforgiving sun on the hottest afternoon of the championship. In the end Tipperary and Limerick resembled two spent fighters trying to stay on their feet. All the dazzling footwork and style of the early stages had faded and survival became to ultimate motivation in yesterday's Guinness Munster hurling final at Pβirc U∅ Chaoimh. With the sides level and little over two minutes left on the clock, Brian O'Meara summoned up the energy for one more run and, placed by Lar Corbett, took his point. This rounded off a good afternoon for the Mullinahone forward who had earlier created his team's two goals. Before time, Declan Ryan popped up a ball for substitute John O'Brien to conclude the scoring. So Tipperary picked off the decisive points in the closing minutes of a tense, atmospheric and exciting match. It may be that the disappointments of last year drove them on as time ticked away, but whatever the reason, they held on to take a first Munster title in eight years and the team's second trophy of the year after May's National League.

It was Limerick, though, who had once again defied the doubters. Reckoned as universal outsiders despite the heroics of the their current campaign, they were unable to derive ultimate motivation from the general scepticism but rattled the favourites.

Mark Foley had another rousing match at wing back, eating loose ball and driving his team forward. Furthermore, he potted two fine points, one from 70 metres, to underline his contribution. It will have been disappointing for him therefore that his man, Mark O'Leary, snapped up three points from limited possession. But this wasn't just a rearguard action. Limerick had the chances to win during the suffocating endgame but couldn't quite take them. But their relentless pressing managed to dent the assumptions of Tipperary's superiority and perhaps raise a few question marks over the new champions' long-term All-Ireland prospects.

But there will be time for Tipp to work on the failings exposed in the five weeks between now and their All-Ireland semi-final. In the meantime, they can celebrate a 36th provincial title although initial signs were that such celebrations were a bit muted.

In the end Tipperary deserved the narrow margin. They took their chances more efficiently and defended well when Limerick's tenacity looked as if it might confound them. Yet they will be disappointed that their forwards, although sticking up a decent score, only sporadically captured the movement and style of the team at its best. They all scored, and Eoin Kelly looked lively and inventive when moved to the half-forward line. But the total effect fell short of conviction.

Some of this can be attributed to a lack of searing pace in attack, the sort that turns a half-step into a chance, but whatever the ailment it paralysed them at stages. They didn't score for over 15 minutes at the end of the first half, and for 20 minutes - up to the 67th - all they managed was one point from an Eoin Kelly free.

This second-half aridity was matched by Limerick, and in stark contrast to the electric opening to what was the Munster Council's centenary final. Before three minutes had passed Tipperary led by 0-3 to 0-2 as early points flew over. The early trend of free-flowing play was maintained in one respect with referee Pat Horan blowing for very few frees as both sides concentrated on hurling.

After seven minutes five of Tipperary's forwards had scored and by nine minutes they had a four-point advantage, 0-6 to 0-2. But in what was to become a bit of a trend, Limerick came back at them. Within five minutes Eamonn Cregan's team were leading after Sean O'Connor swept a pass from Brian Begley into the roof of the net to climax a move started by Barry Foley's solo burst but which appeared to have broken down.

This had the effect of rousing Tipperary to their most productive spell, outscoring Limerick 2-2 to 0-1 over the following 10 minutes. The first goal in the 16th minute was started by a good ball from the excellent Eamonn Corcoran to Brian O'Meara whose strong run drew the defence and left Declan Ryan free inside. He rounded off the move by taking O'Meara's pass, rounding Timmy Houlihan and kicking the ball to the net.

This was Ryan's best spell. His ability to win ball and set up his colleagues posed a major threat before the attack lost its fluency and he found himself unable to influence play to the same extent.

O'Meara also made the second goal. His 22nd-minute run, winding through the defence, ended in a shot coming off the crossbar and Lar Corbett rushing in to finish to the net. It was the high-point of a successful afternoon for the Thurles teenager who was eventually reined in by Limerick substitute Damien Reale who came on for Stephen McDonagh.

Once more Limerick responded and Tipperary lost concentration. Paul O'Grady's steady free-taking was the key to recovery and he rattled off four points from placed balls before the interval. Changes were afoot and in a move rehearsed in their semi-final, Limerick switched Clem Smith to the corner, moved Ciaran Carey to the wing and Brian Geary to centre back. Tipp countered by swapping O'Meara and Enright - as a prelude, it turned out, to replacing the latter at half-time. Limerick also shuffled their attacking options throughout the match. They had to, as both Brian Begley and Ollie Moran were struggling to maintain the impact of previous matches. Begley caught a couple of big balls but was unable to make much of them as Philip Maher kept a tight leash on the big full forward.

Moran found David Kennedy more alert company than previous markers and eventually was switched with Begley but without decisive impact - and each of them must have been disappointed with missed point opportunities in the second half. Yet despite Tipp's strong opening to the second half, which saw them establish a three-point lead, Limerick clawed it all back to set up a gripping finale.

In attack O'Connor was the revelation. The Ahane wing forward made a big impact, adding three points to his goal and putting such pressure on John Carroll that last year's All Star was replaced with 20 minutes left. His place on the wing went to starting centrefielder Paul Kelly and he improved matters considerably.

Tipperary were better served elsewhere in defence where Corcoran especially and Paul Ormonde were excellent and Brendan Cummins made his usual dependable interventions. The new Munster champions have the opportunity now to express themselves in a first All-Ireland semi-final for four years.

And if Limerick continue to surprise they too will have a major say in the destination of this year's championship.