Tipperary will face All-Ireland champions Limerick in the Munster senior hurling final but the main talking point following their win over Clare won’t be the excellent hurling this tie produced, particularly in the opening half, but the decision to award Tipperary a penalty in the third minute of the second half and the sin binning of Aidan McCarthy.
Tipperary 3-23
Clare 2-22
Venue: LIT Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Jake Morris was adjudged to have been fouled by McCarthy and while the tackle was just inside the 20m line, it was practically on the sideline and most people in the ground would agree that it was not a clear goal scoring opportunity.
It clearly rattled Clare and to add to their woes Tipperary struck for a freak goal seven minutes later when their captain Seamus Callanan seemed to mishit the ball and it wrong footed Clare goalie Eibhear Quilligan.
The intensity which was evident in the opening half faded after this and the winners stretched their lead to seven points by the second water break.
Ten minutes later the winners were eight points clear and the pushed their advantage to nine with six minutes remaining.
To their credit, Clare battled to the end and they landed the last five points of the game but those goals in the early part of the second half proved decisive in steering Tipperary to victory.
The thrilling hurling that followers of the game were treated to on Saturday continued at the LIT Gaelic grounds on Sunday afternoon where Clare and Tipperary served up a magnificent contest in the Munster semi-final.
Scores came hot and heavy from the start and after just five minutes seven points had been registered with Tipperary leading by one. A minute later Ian Galvin who caused huge problems for the Tipperary defence in the early stages, pounced for the game’s opening goal and Clare followed with four unanswered points to lead 1-7 to 0-4 with eleven minutes played.
Tipperary stormed back and hit 1-3 without reply to level the game at 1-7 each by the first water break. Michael Breen was the Tipperary goalscorer. Points were exchanged three times in the next ten minutes before the Premier outfit edged into a two point lead as the game went into ‘added time’.
In the last action of the half Tony Kelly got inside the Tipperary defence and he latched onto a David Reidy flick before finishing to the net to give the Banner side a one point advantage, 2-11 to 1-13, at the break, leaving Clare followers in great voice.
Clare introduced David McInerney David Fitzgerald and Mark Rodgers in the final quarter but the Premier outfit finished strongly with substitutes Willie Connors and Alan Flynn impressing.
Clare now anxiously await the draw for the qualifiers which will see them in action in two weeks time.
Scorers Tipperary: Jason Forde (1-7); Michael Breen, Seamus Callanan (1-1) each; John O’Dwyer (0-4), Jake Morris (0-3) Dan McCormack (0-02), Alan Flynn (0-02), Willie Connors 0-01, Ronan Maher (0-01).
Scorers Clare: Tony Kelly (1-9 8f), Ian Galvin (1-3) Ryan Taylor (0-02), Cathal Malone (0-2), Colm Galvin (0-01), Rory Hayes (0-01), John Conlon (0-01), Aron Shanagher (0-01), Aidan McCarthy (0-01), David Reidy (0-01).
Tipperary:
1 Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)
3. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
4. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)
5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
6. Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s Clonmel)
7. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
12. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
8. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
9. Michael Breen (Ballina)
10. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
13. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
11. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
14. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch – captain)
15. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
Subs:
20: Willie Connors (Kiladangan) for J McGrath (HT)
21: Alan Flynn (Kiladangan) for N McGrath (47)
26: Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore) for O’Dwyer (66)
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
3: Conor Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
4: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: Paidi Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge)
9: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
8: Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
12: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
13: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
15: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
10: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
11: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
14: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
Subs:
18: David McInerney (Tulla) for Fitzpatrick (52)
19: Mark Rodgers (Scariff) for Taylor (58)
22: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona) for I Galvin (58)
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
