Banner back in the decider courtesy of Ryan strike

CLARE got the win they needed to progress to a third Munster final in a row at Semple Stadium on Sunday as Tipperary’s summer came to an end. A strong third quarter in which Clare outscored Tipp 1-8 to 0-3 points laid the platform for the win after the sides were level, 0-11 apiece, at the break. Diarmuid Ryan’s goal in the 42nd minute set Brian Lohan’s men on course for victory ‘I’m happy with the win and happy to get the job done,’ admitted Clare boss Brian Lohan, coming through a tricky encounter against a Tipperary team who were already eliminated beforehand. Lohan added: ‘We prepared as well as we could, to put our lads under pressure to get a performance, and to really go after the game. We didn’t do that early on, but we fought our way through the game and got better as the game went on.’

Jake Morris registered 11 points for Tipp, four from play, while Sean Kenneally in his first start also impressed. Tipperary boss Liam Cahill admitted it was a disappointing campaign from his side but confirmed he will see ut his three year term at the Premier helm. ‘I’ve a three-year term with possibly a one-year extension. I have full support of the county board and what’s paramount to me and my management team is I have 100 per cent support of the players next door,’ he said.

P Cadell (N McGrath 45), R Maher, B McGrath; B Heffernan (B O’Mara 44), W Connors; A Tynan, J Morris, S Kenneally; A Ormond (C Stakelum 52), M Kehoe (P Maher 56), G O’Connor (D Stakelum 27). Yellow cards: Morgan 4, Morris 24; Ryan 25; Connors 33; B O’Mara 68, N McGrath 68. Scorers: J Morris 0-11 (7f); S Kenneally 0-3; G O’Connor (2f), R Maher (1f), E Connolly 0-2 each; B Heffernan, A Tynan, B O’Mara N McGrath 0-1 each. CLARE: E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, C Leen; D Ryan, J Conlon, C Galvin; D Fitzgerald, D Lohan (P Donnellan 64); C Malone, D Reidy (T Kelly 47), P Duggan (A Shanagher 68); R Rodgers, S O’Donnell, A McCarthy (I Galvin 54). Yellow cards: Hogan 61; T Kelly 68 Scorers: A McCarthy 0-8 (6f), D Ryan 1-3; M Rodgers (2f), D Fitzgerald 0-3 each; T Kelly 0-2 (1f); P Duggan, D Lohan, S O’Donnell, D Reidy, I Galvin 0-1 each. Referee: J Murphy (Limerick).