CRUSHEEN made history yesterday in Cusack Park, collecting their first Clare SHC title at the expense of Cratloe, a late goal from Paddy Meaney finally killing off their opponents.

IT was not as facile as their runaway last four win over Galway, but after a white knuckle ride at Croke Park yesterday Kilkenny were crowned All-Ireland minor hurling champions.

Kilkenny 2-10 Clare 0-14

A CAMPAIGN which began on a low note in mid-April against Waterford has changed dramatically for the Clare minor hurlers.

TOMORROW’S ESB All-Ireland MHC semi-final offers a golden opportunity for Clare and Dublin to end barren spells since their last national decider at the grade.

AN exhibition of free-taking by Niall Arthur, who scored eight times from placed balls, earned Clare a two point victory over Limerick in a keenly contested ESB Munster MHC semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick last night.

A LAST-MINUTE point from midfielder Tony Kelly, and Clare minor hurlers got their season well and truly back on track last night, a close but well-deserved win over Tipperary in Cusack Park qualifying them for a Munster championship semi-final meeting against Limerick on June 24.

CORK progressed as expected in last night’s ESB Munster MFC quarter-final at Cusack Park in Ennis but no one in their camp need to be reminded that they made heavy weather of seeing off a brave and spirited Clare side.

THIS year’s Dr Harty Cup (Munster Colleges SAHC) has produced outstanding games and tomorrow’s semi-finals should continue that trend.

THE defeat of champions DLS Waterford has thrown the Dr Harty Cup wide open and any of the four schools in today’s semi-finals will fancy their chances of winning the coveted prize.