Clare 1-17 Waterford 2-15

A LARGER than expected crowd were in sunny Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening for this All-Ireland senior hurling qualifier with both sets of supporters approaching the tie with trepidation.

CLARE had six points to spare over neighbours Galway in a senior hurling challenge to mark the opening of a new pitch at Pairc Uí h-Aonghusa, Clooney-Quin last night.

RARELY does league fare take centre stage in the imagination of hurling folk, especially not outside the top tier, but such was the interest in this crucial Allianz Hurling League Division Two final that Ennis on Saturday evening bore all the hallmarks of a championship encounter.

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.

REIGNING Munster and All-Ireland U21 champions Clare stay on course to retain their titles, but only after a hugely entertaining battle against Limerick in this Munster semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds last evening.

Clare 2-17 Waterford 2-12, Fraher Field, Dungarvan