Tipperary 0-16
Clare 2-9

Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium

TIPPERARY SNATCHED VICTORY the jaws of defeat in this evening’s Electric Ireland Munster minor football semi-final in Thurles.

Points in the 59th, 60th and and 61st minutes edged Tipperary over the line against Clare at Semple Stadium, denying the Banner County a first provincial final appearance since 1994.

Clare had moved two points clear when captain Keelan Sexton popped over his side’s first score of the game from a free with eight minutes left.

But Tipperary hit late points from Tommy Nolan, Jack Kennedy and man-of-the-match Brendan Martin, his fifth, to book a place in a fourth final in five seasons on July 5.

Goals in either half had rocked Tipp back on their heels but they created enough chances at the other end to sneak over the line. Martin and Jack Kennedy hit five points each, with three of Kennedy’s from play, and the hosts also finished with 11 wides.

Clare’s first score of the game was a goal midway through the first half, a magnificent solo effort from Cormac Murray.

After Murray’s goal, when Tipp were punished for a turnover, Martin’s second point levelled matters before Clare surged into a three-point advantage with the breeze.

Darragh Bohannon kickstarted a run of three unanswered points before senior panellist Keelan Sexton and Murray were on target.

But Tipp hit back with three of their own before half-time to restore parity, with Emmett Moloney, minor hurling captain Stephen Quirke and Shane Power on target.

Danny Owens (right) captained Tipperary to victory tonight. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Power’s point was a gutsy score as he was the player turned over by Clare’s Cillian Brennan in the lead-up to the Banner County goal, and Tipp were level at half-time, 0-6 to 1-3.

Clare’s second goal, created by sub Conor Lynch and scored by Sexton, handed Clare the early second half advantage and they would lead by three points on as many occasions before Tipp’s late supershow reeled them in.

Tipperary minor football manager Charlie McKeever James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Tipperary: Brendan Martin & Jack Kennedy (0-3f) 0-5 each, Shane Power, Stephen Quirke, Emmett Moloney, Tommy Nolan, Brian McGrath & Ross Peters 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Keelan Sexton 1-3 (0-1f), Cormac Murray 1-1, Sean Malone 0-2, Darragh Bohannon, Cillian Brennan & Conor Lynch 0-1 each.

Tipperary

1. Charlie Manton (Fethard)

2. Tommy Lowry (Arravale Rovers)
3. Morgan Irwin (Moyle Rovers)
4. Shane Power (Galtee Rovers)

5. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
6. Danny Owens (Capt) (Moyle Rovers)
7. Jack Skehan (Holycross Ballycahill)

11. Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch)
14. Brian McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

10. Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch)
9. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials)
15. Ross Peters (Clonmel Commercials)

13. Brendan Martin (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
8. Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers)
12. Jack Delahunty (Newport)

Subs
21. Jamie Bergin (Drom & Inch) for Delahunty (h.t.)
19. Liam Fahy (Rockwell Rovers) for Skehan (37)
22. Jordan Moloney (JK Brackens) for E Moloney (46)
17. Tadhg Fitzgerald (Moyle Rovers) for Kehoe (53)

Clare

1. Killian Roche (Cooraclare)

4. Conor O’Halloran (Éire Óg)
2. Kieran Killeen (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
3. Colm Pyne (Killimer)

5. Liam Devitt (Ennistymon)
6. Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
7. Colin Hehir (MIlltown Malbay)

8. Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
9. Cathal Downes (Naomh Eoin)

10. Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
12. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
18. Niall McCarthy (Lissycasey)

13. Cormac Murray (Milltown Malbay)
14. Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
15. Sean Malone (Miltown Malbay)

Subs
11. Nigel Murray (O’Currys) for Pyne (h.t.)
23. Conor Lynch (Clondegad) for Sweeney (h.t.)
20. James Lehane (Ennistymon) for Hehir (50)
19. Jack Morrissey (Cooraclare) for Murray (58)

Referee: Kevin Murphy (Cork)

Originally published Wednesday 20.59

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