DESPITE horrendous weather conditions at floodlit Mourneabbey on Saturday, Cork and Clare still served up a decent game in this senior hurling challenge ahead of the commencement of the league next weekend.

CLARE boss Ger O’Loughlin has described the loss of last year’s team captain Brian O’Connell who has emigrated to Australia, as a massive blow ahead of their 2011 campaign.

THE winning momentum generated by their senior side’s pulsating success last Sunday was maintained by the Tipperary U21 hurlers in Semple Stadium last night as they swept to victory over last year’s All-Ireland champions Clare in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC final.

All-Ireland champions Clare exited the Bord Gáis Energy Under-21 Hurling Championship tonight as Tipperary captured the Munster title.

THEIR senior hurling fortunes may reside at a low ebb after the All-Ireland senior qualifier mauling at the hands of Dublin, but Clare U-21 star John Conlon has pleaded with the Banner supporters to be patient with the streams of underage talent that the county are producing.

LAST year’s beaten finalists Waterford held off a spirited Clare fightback to book their place in the Munster intermediate hurling championship final on July 22.

NEW Clare senior hurling manager Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has appointed Danny Chaplin as a selector.

THERE have been three outstanding hurling games this year.

CLARE U21 attacking star Darach Honan is set to shake off a hamstring injury and start in next Sunday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 decider against Kilkenny in Croke Park.

Clare forward Darach Honan is a major doubt for the All-Ireland U-21 Hurling final against Kilkenny on September 13, after injuring his hamstring while in action for his club Clonlara at the weekend.

Clare manager John Minogue has made two changes to the side which claimed the Banner's first Munster Under-21 title for tomorrow's Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship semi-final against Galway at Semple Stadium (throw-in 2.30pm).

LAOIS duo Colm Parkinson and Darren Rooney played a telling role in Parnells 0-12 to 0-11 win over St Mark’s Tallaght in round three of the Dublin SFC in O’Toole Park last night.

TIPPERARY put their Munster minor hurling championship title on the line tonight when they entertain Clare in the semi-final at Semple Stadium (7.30pm).