CLARE 0-26 LIMERICK 0-15: Sometime before the final whistle here, neutrals’ attentions turned to the more dramatic developments in Thurles but the more Clare supporters see of this team of theirs, the more they are convinced of their virtues.

Limerick 2-26 Waterford 1-16

Limerick 1-23 Tipperary 2-14: After giving a post-match TV interview, Limerick captain Declan Hannon was jumped on by a group of celebrating supporters.

John Kiely insisted that Limerick would have a “right cut off” Tipperary and so it transpired.

Two goals in the first half of extra-time from Jason Forde sent Tipperary to their second successive Division 1 final after a riveting clash in Thurles.

Limerick’s Colin Ryan was the hero at the end of a contest that almost ran for three hours.

From the Limerick team that lined out at Pearse Stadium, only three — Nicky Quaid, Richie McCarthy, and Paul Browne — have been exposed to top-tier league hurling. That’s a damning indictment of the county’s spring form over the past eight years.

Allianz HL Division 1B

The listings in the current edition of the RTÉ Guide announce that 3.30pm is “throw up” time in Thurles tomorrow. Two thoughts occur.

Clare sharpshooter Conor McGrath has emerged as a major doubt for their Munster hurling championship opener against Limerick on May 24, due to a hamstring injury.

Antrim 1-12 Limerick 0-23: Limerick’s hurlers got their first win of the 2015 Allianz League Division 1B campaign with a hard-fought 0-23 to 1-12 win over Antrim at Ballycastle yesterday.

Wexford retained their patience well as they eventually wore down Offaly by 2-15 to 0-12 at O’Connor Park.

Kilkenny 2-13 Limerick 0-17

Three key areas

With the teams level at half-time, it was clear the first goal would have a huge bearing on the result. And so it proved.

Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy pointed to Seamus Harnedy’s goal as the crucial score in the county’s first Munster title success since 2006.

Cork 2-24 Limerick 0-24

1. Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Limerick 2-18 Tipperary 2-16

MUNSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL:

Cork 0-17 Limerick 0-17

Mikey Barry clutches tightly his man of the match award and tries to make sense of the past 60 minutes.

In 1974, on a trial basis, the GAA introduced the hurling penalty as a 20m free shot with only three defenders lining the goal.

Clare thoroughly deserved to win this game on a day when Hawk-Eye needed to pay a visit to its sponsors. They were hungry and economical with the ball and they did the damage in the first half.

It’s already five days since Seán Cavanagh dragged Conor McManus to the turf in Croke Park, but the tackle — helped by Joe Brolly’s TV rant — refuses to depart the stage as hurling prepares to reclaim top billing this coming weekend.

Apart from the early stages, Limerick played second fiddle to a well-drilled Cork outfit in the first-half but took over after the break, with their defence on top for the crucial last ten minutes.

Limerick 1-18 Tipperary 1-15

I want to start with a question — what is it about Limerick and fine sunny summer days, Munster championship, against big opposition?

Forgive us for being obvious about yesterday, and Limerick versus Tipperary, but any remarks about the game must be prefaced with one consideration.

Dublin 1-15 Limerick 1-21

At half-time in yesterday’s All-Ireland hurling quarter-final in showery Semple Stadium, a shock looked like a very real possibility, Limerick belying their massive underdog tag with a first-half display of poise and class, trailing at the break by just a single point (2-7 to 1-9).

I’m torn, really torn, about this game.

I took two things from Thurles on Saturday.

It was the fifth time of asking but, says hard-working Limerick captain David Breen, this All-Ireland senior hurling championship qualifier, played in chilly Semple Stadium on Saturday evening last, was the most relevant of all.

What a close call for champions Tipperary in this first-round Munster senior hurling championship clash in baking heat in Thurles yesterday.

The key areas that will decide tomorrow’s championship opener in Semple Stadium

Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald and his Limerick counterpart John Allen had a hot little ‘tete-a-tete’ on the sidelines of this Allianz Hurling League Division 1B final at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.

There was drama at the end of this high-scoring Allianz Hurling League game in the floodlit Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening with Shane Dooley converting a controversial late penalty to secure a share of spoils for Offaly.

Wexford 0-18 Limerick 2-20