*Photograph: Michael O’Connor
A brace of sucker-punch goals at the two-thirds mark floored Clare as Tipperary marched onto the Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Finals on Tuesday evening.
Tipperary 2-13
Clare 0-13
Venue: FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles
With little between the sides up to that juncture, Joe Egan was instrumental in irrevocably altering the narrative of this derby as first his lineball from the right wing was flicked to the net by Paddy McCormack in the 36th minute before teeing up the overlapping Tom Delaney for an emphatic second major.
Having arguably been the better side in the opening period, Clare rued a missed goal chance of their own just before the break when the lively Jack O’Neill’s lineball broke inside for Cian Neylon whose kick flew over the bar at 0-8 to 0-8 by the break.
Once conceding those goals by the 40th minute, Clare never fully recovered as Damien Corbett’s unerring accuracy from placed balls ensured that Tipperary would extend their unanswered rally to 2-3 to soar seven clear by the turn of the final quarter.
Clare did empty their bench to positive effect but aside from a late Cian Neylon 20 metre free that was stopped by goalkeeper Eoin Horgan, the visitors couldn’t make any impact on Tipperary’s miserly rearguard. Indeed, points from Cian Neylon (2) and substitute James Organ were duly matched by chief Tipperary marksman Corbett who finished with a handsome nine point tally, having only taken over the freetaking duties late in the opening period.
Having finally settled into their stride after leaking the first three points, Clare ended the opening quarter with six of the last seven points that included braces for Oisin Whelan, and Michael Collins at 0-6 to 0-4. It was an advantage they held until the final minute of the half as Corbett’s frees edged the home side back in front before Cian Neylon’s last gasp goal chance cleared the crossbar.
Picking up from where they left off, Clare also fired the first two points of the new half through Piaras Ó Sé and freetaker Whelan to lead by 0-10 to 0-8. However, it would be a full 20 minutes before their next score by which time Tipperary were already looking ahead to the semi-finals in three weeks time.
Being only the first outing, Clare can only learn from this disappointing competitive bow and will have the chance to respond next Tuesday when hosting Waterford in Sixmilebridge to decide the quarter-final placings.
Scorers for Tipperary: Damien Corbett 0-9 (6f), Paddy McCormack 1-1, Tom Delaney 1-1, Ciaran Foley 0-1 (f), Joe Egan 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Cian Neylon 0-4 (2f), Oisin Whelan 0-3 (3f), Michael Collins 0-2, Frankie Lyons 0-1, Jack O’Neill 0-1, Piaras Ó Sé 0-1, James Organ 0-1
Tipperary
1: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)
2: Chris O’Donnell (Ballylooby-Castlegrace)
3: Aaron O’Halloran (Carrick Swan)
4: Jack Quinlan (Fethard)
5: Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg)
6: Tadhg Sheehan (St Mary’s)
7: Jack O’Callaghan (Portroe)
8: Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane)
9: Adam Daly (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)
10: Cathal English (Fr. Sheedy’s)
11: Joe Egan (Moycarkey-Borris)
12: Paddy Phelan (Upperchurch-Drombane)
15: Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
14: Tom Delaney (Cahir)
13: Damien Corbett (Gortnahoe-Glengoole)
Subs
24: Sam Rowan (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone) for English (41)
20: Conor Martin (Cappawhite) for Phelan (52)
22: Evan Morris (Holycross-Ballycahill) for O’Donnell (55, inj)
17: Senan Butler (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for Delaney (57)
21: Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara) for Daly (60)
Clare
1: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge)
2: Eoghan Gunning (Broadford)
3: Fionan Treacy (Éire Óg)
4: John Cahill (Clooney-Quin) (Captain)
7: Fiachra Ó Braoin (Sixmilebridge)
6: James Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona)
5: Riain McNamara (Cratloe)
8: Piaras Ó Sé (Ruan)
9: Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara)
12: Frankie Lyons (Ruan)
11: Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin)
10: Michael Collins (Clonlara)
15: Cian Neylon (Kilmaley)
14: Oisin Whelan (Clarecastle)
13: Dannan Fox (Clooney-Quin)
Subs
19: Dylan Keane Hayes (Kilmaley) for Lyons (40)
21: James Organ (Corofin) for Whelan (42)
18: Matthew O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge) for Ó Braoin (45)
20: Eoin O’Regan (Éire Óg) for Ó Sé (49)
22: Sam Scanlan (Clooney-Quin) for Fox (51)
Referee: Nicky Barry (Waterford)
