Quality hurling from start to finish.
Well, we had to wait a bit longer (20 minutes, to be exact), but it was well worth it.
Tipperary are in the hurling league final after overcoming a spirited, dogged Limerick side at Semple Stadium. They needed extra-time to do it but, once again, they proved their mettle and elite-level pedigree by negotiating all the ebbs and flows you'd expect from a serious game of hurling to cross the finish line. When it came down to it, with limbs wearying in extra-time, Tipp just had that little bit extra in the tank, eventually running out 2-31 to 1-31 victors.
The 12,000-strong crowd that travelled out to Thurles on Saturday night were treated to a high-class hurling spectacle. Although Limerick will feel crestfallen at leaving empty-handed, they more than played their part in a thoroughly enjoyable game.
There may not have been a goal between them, but the exhibition of shooting throughout the 70+ minutes really was something to behold, from John McGrath drilling over a fine opening point for Tipp to a characteristically accomplished display from Aaron Gillane.
https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/980165355808149504
It was a classic ding-dong battle that made for an absorbing watch. Limerick looked nervous early on but they gained their composure to go into the half-time interval just two behind.
In the second-half, two Jason Forde frees extended Tipp's advantage to four but the hosts just couldn't shake John Kiely's charges. From substitute Paul Browne announcing his arrival from the bench in style to Ronan Maher's phenomenal sideline cut from well over 70 metres, the quality of the hurling from these two fiercely competitive sides was nothing short of superlative.
Just look at Maher's sideline below. You can see what he thought of it! Maher's strike was so pure and so impressive that some on social media were calling for sidelines to be worth two points.
https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/980169369572474880
After Maher clipped over in the 67th-minute, Tipp found themselves 0-26 to 0-22 ahead, but Limerick rallied to draw level. Cian Lynch (2) and Graeme Mulcahy scored to move within one before Tom Morrissey kept his cool under immense pressure to land an equalising free with moments remaining.
Forde wasted no time putting Tipp back in the driving seat straight from the restart in extra-time, finding the back of the net for the night's first goal, the Silvermines club man gathering a Limerick puckout and firing home. Seven minutes later, he netted for the second time, widening the margin to six points.
https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/980176222503260160
Limerick didn't lie down, of course, Graeme Mulcahy slamming an impressive finish home with three minutes left.
In the end, after a bruising, exhilarating contest, everyone on Twitter was in agreement that they had just witnessed a fantastic game of hurling, just two teams going hammer and tongs and giving us plenty of drama and excitement as a result.
https://twitter.com/Burkillies18/status/980172461177221120
https://twitter.com/FCTwenteBenson/status/980169925158490113
https://twitter.com/Joheney/status/980169714067533824
https://twitter.com/w_harney/status/980168283893780481
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/980163234744492032
https://twitter.com/RyanMcC955/status/980175369411158016
https://twitter.com/AnnaKinnerk/status/980174429228482560
