Limerick made it three wins from three games in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship with victory in a thriller against Tipperary at Semple Stadium on Tuesday night.
Ahane half-back Jack Cosgrove scored the winning point for Limerick with the last puck of the game in the 65th minute to give them a 1-23 to 1-22 win. 45 seconds earlier, Robbie Ryan - the scorer of 16 points for Tipperary - had levelled the match.
A crucial score for Limerick came in the 58th minute with them trailing by a point. Kildimo Pallaskenry man Robert O'Farrell pick-pocketed the Tipperary defence and fired a sensational angled shot from the 20m line beyond the reach of goalkeeper Harry Loughnane.
The goal put Limerick ahead 1-22 to 1-20 ahead. Cormac Cahill and Ryan added the scores for Tipperary before Cosgrave's winner.
| @LimerickCLG are guaranteed a semi-final at least heading into the last round but what a scorcher from Robert O'Farrell against Tipp tonight. @MunsterGAA | @ElectricIreland | #ThisIsMajor | @kildimopallas pic.twitter.com/QHO28e8TgD
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) April 18, 2023
Bar the opening quarter of the game, which saw Limerick open up a six-point lead, it was a close encounter for most of the clash. By half-time, Tipperary had reeled in the visitors and led by two points, and increased that advantage to four points during the second half.
"It's a sweet feeling anytime you win with the last puck of the game," Limerick manager Evan Loftus told the Limerick Leader after the game.
"It was job done, we got two points on the board. Would we be happy with a lot of elements of our performance? No.
"Coming to Thurles to play Tipp is never going to be easy. We're just glad to be coming away with two points on the board and having plenty to work on for Cork next week."
The result means Tipperary - the reigning All-Ireland champions - cannot progress beyond this year's provincial championship.
Clare, who defeated Cork in their final group stage game on Tuesday, are currently top of the five-team group on six points. Limerick, who also have six points, sit second while Cork are third on four points.
Next week, Limerick face Cork and Tipperary play Waterford. The top side in the group after next week's games will go straight into the Munster final while the second and third-placed teams face off in a semi-final.
| @LimerickCLG edged @TipperaryGAA in a thrilling encounter in FBD Semple Stadium with both sides scoring superb second half goals. @StreamsportI | @ElectricIreland | #ThisIsMajor https://t.co/WgBQx9ABTp
— Munster GAA (@MunsterGAA) April 18, 2023
See Also: 'I Was Surprised By How Many Who Were On That Limerick Panel Aren't Anymore'
