Munster U20 hurling championship: Clare 0-18 Tipperary 1-14
Clare will host Cork on Friday next in the semi final of the Munster U20 hurling championship.
It’s after Terence Fahy’s side edged a dramatic battle with Tipperary thanks mainly to a tour de force from Conor Whelan.
The Whitegate clubman ended the evening with a personal tally of 0-16, including a late winner.
The Banner can also thank goalkeeper Mark Sheedy for pulling off an outstanding point blank save late in the second half as he denied the Premier a second goal which would have swung the game in their favour at that juncture.
Tipp led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 8 minutes but a run of 0-5 without reply from Clare through Whelan (4) and Niall O’Farrell edged Clare in front.
Three of the next four scores came to the home side in Thurles to level the game at 0-7 each, but the loss of the excellent Paddy McCormack to a hand injury was a huge blow to Brendan Cummins side.
That was exacerbated as Whelan hit the last four scores of the half to see the Banner head to the dressing room 0-11 to 0-7 clear.
That lead would go to 0-12 to 0-7 soon after the restart, but Tipperary began to get to grips with the game and were boosted by an instinctive goal from Oisin O’Donoghue to level the game again by the turn of the final quarter.
That dominance for Tipp saw them go 1-13 to 0-14 ahead with ten to play, but Sheedy’s brilliant save seems to spur Clare back into life.
Whelan was exceptional throughout and converted two late frees which were created by substitutes Eoin McMahon and Liam Crotty to win the game, and inflict a first defeat of the championship on Tipp.
The Premier go straight to the final as they topped the round robin standings, with Clare getting home advantage for the clash with the Rebels after finishing second.
