Tipperary 2-31 Limerick 1-31 (aet)Jason Forde hit two crucial goals in the first period of extra-time as Tipperary edged past the stern challenge of Limerick to reach the final of the Allianz National Hurling League final after a thriller in Thurles. Four points in as many minutes put Tipperary in control as Barry Heffernan, Willie Connors and Micheál Breen all shot their opening scores. Both sides took turns to hold the upper hand and hit four unanswered points each, but John O’Dwyer and Seán Curran nudged Tipperary ahead with 12 minutes remaining. Forde hit two wides in a minute, which encouraged Limerick, but McGrath pointed and Maher hit his second sideline cut to give Tipp a three-point lead. Gillane finally succumbed to injury with nine minutes remaining, but Limerick battled to the end and hit five of the last six points to force extra-time as the game ended 0-26 each.

Source: The Irish Times March 31, 2018 21:11 UTC