Limerick held on in a thrilling finish in this semi-final replay at Thurles last evening. The winners had been the better side, although Tipperary were left to rue 14 wides.

Tipperary, playing with the wind, were on top early on, and they had six Eoin Kelly points on the board before Limerick scored.

Limerick got a crucial goal in the 22nd minute through Andrew O'Shaughnessy, but Tipperary led 0-9 to 1-1 at the interval.

Limerick dominated the second half and although Tipperary got back on terms, points from O'Shaughnessy and Niall Moran in injury-time were instrumental in claiming a great win.

Limerick: T Houlihan; C Kearney, D Clancy, M Weekes; M Clifford, E Foley, P O'Dwyer; N Moran (0-5), A Hanley; A O'Connor, P McElligott (0-1), P Tobin (0-5); A O'Shaughnessy (1-1), B Geoghegan, M McKenna. Sub: G Noonan for A O'Connor.

Tipperary: N McGrath; M Phelan, D Fitzgerald, J Lillis; K Ivors, E Ryan, T Connolly; M Meagher, D Kennedy; J O'Brien (0-1), E Kelly (0-11), T Doyle; T Ruth, J Kennedy (0-1), S McKeogh. Subs: P Shortt for D Kennedy; B Darcy for Doyle; R O'Brien for Ruth.

Referee: J Dunne (Kerry).