Despite the Munster champions' victory over Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds last year, many had them down as underdogs heading into today's semi-final clash in Thurles.
However, Limerick overcame their most recent saga, which saw Donal O' Grady depart as joint-manager, to beat Tipperary by 2-18 to 2-16 at Semple Stadium.
Patrick Bonnar Maher scored a first half goal for the home side, with Shane Dowling having scored the first goal of the game for the visitors, and by half-time the teams went in level at 1-08 apiece.
Tipperary made the ideal start to the second period, with Gearoid Ryan scoring their second goal, yet Limerick stayed with them.
Heading into the closing stages, Tipperary looked on course for a Munster Final appearance.
However, Limerick overcame the disappointment of having a goal disallowed to hit 1-02 without reply- including Shane Dowling's second goal of the game.
Dowling, who scored 2-09 in total, lashed home the equaliser in the 68th minute, before substitute Thomas Ryan put Limerick a point ahead.
And, with very little stoppage time left, Seamus Hickey knocked over the insurance point to ensure that Limercik recorded their first win over Tipp in Thurles since 1973.
Elsewhere, Tipperary came back from the dead to win their Munster Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final with Limerick, also at Semple Stadium.
After leading for much of normal time, it took a late point from Tipperary to tie it at 1-15 apiece. Limerick continued to lead at crucial stages of extra-time, but goals from Tonmy O' Brien and Kevin Fox, plus another veyr late point, saw Tipp edge the game by 3-17 to 1-22.
