Limerick 3-8

Tipperary 0-11

Limerick sprung a surprise at Semple Stadium, Thurles tonight when they got the better of Tipperary in their Munster MFC first round play-off clash.

Having been denied victory by a late Clare rally in their quarter-final last week, the Treaty County bounced back in terrific fashion to dump out last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists.

Diarmaid Kelly (2-2) played a captain's part for the winners, while Eoin O'Mahony (1-4) also caught the eye as Jerry O'Sullivan's side led from start to finish in front of 729 spectators.

After their quarter-final loss to Cork last week, Tipp were left to rue another slow start which saw them trail the visitors by 1-4 to 0-0 after 13 minutes with the goal coming from midfielder Kelly.

A trio of frees from Michael Barlow got Mick O'Sullivan's charges up and running but the Treaty men took a 1-7 to 0-5 lead into half-time thanks to the accuracy of Kelly and O'Mahony.

Limerick stretched the gap to seven-points shortly after the interval when Kelly raised a second green flag via the penalty spot, 2-7 to 0-6.

With John Lyons on target from placed balls, Tipp reeled off five unanswered points to get within two and began to dominate possession.

However, a third Limerick goal courtesy of O'Mahony ensured they progress to the second round of the play-offs where they will face Waterford away this day next week.

Meanwhile, it's the end of the road for Tipp who are the first county officially eliminated from the MFC race for 2016.

Limerick - A Murphy; G Brennan, F Murphy, D Enright; S Hurley (0-1), A Kearns, O Collins; Josh Ryan, D Kelly (2-2, 1-0pen, 0-1f); E O'Mahony (1-4, 0-2f, 0-1'45), C McSweeney, A Storan; A Barrett (0-1), N Callinan, James Ryan. Subs: D Ranahan for N Callinan, J Kelly for A Barrett, L Cardy for James Ryan, S Ryan for A Storan, J Kelly for S Hurley.

Tipperary - J Dolan; J Harney, D Brennan, J Flannery; C English (0-1), P Feehan, S Nolan; C Cashman, B Hyland (0-1'45); R Lambe, C Boland, D Egan; J Lyons (0-5f), M Barlow (0-3f), A English (0-1). Subs: E Ryan for P Feehan (BC), S Ryan for C Boland, J Delahunty for C Cashman, A Vance for R Lambe, C Boland for A English.

Referee - E Walsh.

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