'Let’s Trust What We Have': Limerick Manager Shares Inspiring Philosophy After Memorable Minor All-Ireland Comeback

Limerick are All-Ireland minor hurling champions for the fourth time after stunning Tipperary with an injury time comeback in the Gaelic Grounds.

Tipp lead by three points with only two minutes of injury time to be played but Limerick managed a famous comeback that will never be forgotten by hurling people in the Treaty county.

Amazingly, it was Limerick's first minor All-Ireland title in 42 years.

It was the ultimate smash and grab victory. Tipperary - who were contesting their third consecutive All-Ireland minor final - looked like they might run away with the game in the first half. The class of forwards of Conall Morrison and Chris Dunne was obvious to anyone watching the match - they looked like future senior Tipp stars

Limerick would not surrender however and cut the lead to one in the final quarter. However Tipp were continued to find scores, and the match seemed decided when Tipperary pointed with 61.10 played to make it a three point lead.

However, the All-Ireland final was level just moments later. Sub Gavin O'Brien emerged with the ball after a long puckout and buried his shot in the bottom corner. Tipp looked shocked but player of the match Xavier Nelligan helped the Treaty men win the following puckout. Sub John Ross O'Reilly then stepped up and converted a Rian Horgan pass from an awkward angle to give Limerick the lead.

Limerick had scored the first point of the game but would not lead again until O'Reilly's point. Former Limerick minor manager Leo O'Connor captured the madness on the radio broadcast.

pic.twitter.com/XFgtAAquoP

— GibHogSport (@GibHogs) June 27, 2026

Speaking after the game, Limerick manager Diarmuid Mullins spoke about his decision not to do what Tipp did to great effect in the senior final last year, and play a sweeper to negate Tipp's forward threat.

"I think we have good defenders. Look we could have come into the final and we could have decided ‘we’re going to play a sweeper’ or ‘we’re going to put extra bodies back’.

I’d be a firm believer in let’s trust what we have. Like Conall Morrison is a brilliant player. He’s going to be a great player for Tipperary. A great talent. Chris Dunne the same. But we had guys who were just willing to stick at it."

For long passages of the game, it was the Chris Dunne show at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The Gortnahoe forward was a human highlight reel. He scored a sensational goal to put the Premier six points ahead in the first half. Tipp went into the break with 1-8 on the scoreboard and Dunne had scored 1-4 of that tally.

Chris Dunne is putting in a masterclass in the All-Ireland minor hurling final.

He finished the first half with 1-4 to his name for Tipperary, including this beaut.@electricireland #ThisIsMajorpic.twitter.com/eZJuIXwqCg