Munster IHC/Tipperary 0-19 Limerick 1-12: Ten points from full forward Pat Lawlor sent Tipperary through to the Munster intermediate hurling semi-final as they overcame Limerick at Semple Stadium yesterday.

Lawlor struck five from play to help steer his team past a determined Limerick outfit spurred on by former senior player Mark Keane.

Tipperary led at the interval by 0-7 to 0-5 but it was a blistering start to the second half that laid the foundations for victory.

Lawlor grabbed three in quick succession to send the home team clear.

A Mark Keane goal from a free two minutes from time brought Limerick back into contention but they had too much to do and Tipperary held out for the win, Lawlor supplying a further two points to make sure of victory.

TIPPERARY: A Cooney; J Moran, B Lawlor, M Phelan; C O'Brien, J McCarthy, C Everard; S McGrath, T Slevin (0-1); S Stapleton (0-1), A Fitzgerald, W Keogh (0-2); S Everard (0-1), P Lawlor (0-10), R O'Brien (0-3). Subs: S Sweeney (0-1) for S Stapleton, H Coughlan for T Slevin.

LIMERICK: S Mulqueen; M Keane, F Moloney, P Reale; B Coffey, T McLoughlin, P Carey; R Donovan, P Kennedy; J Lynch, M Keane (1-8), M Bodie (0-3); P Neenan, T O'Connor, W Morrissey. Subs: G O'Leary (0-1) for P Kennedy, L Murphy for P Reale, D Kennedy for S Lynch, S Clancy for W Morrissey.

Referee: A Hegney (Clare).