Tipperary go into overdrive and cruise home

Tipperary 2-20 Clare 3-9

This was before Tipp upped the tempo and ultimately cruised to a meeting with Cork in the provincial decider.

The game began with a goal blitz, Tipperary's Tadgh Slevin rattling the net inside a minute and Clare responding with two in 60 seconds from their outstanding duo, Barry Nugent and Eamonn Taaffe. Those quick-fire goals set the scene for an exciting and competitive opening half, which ended as it began with Pat Buckley goaling for Tipp in the 30th minute and Taaffe doing likewise for the Banner in added time from a 20-metre free.

Tipp's two-point interval lead, 2-12 to 2-7, was just about deserved, but it gave no one an insight into the dominance they would go on to exert throughout the field on the turnover.

Barry Nugent's 38th minute point was Clare's last score as Tipp proceeded to translate their territorial dominance into match-winning scores. Brian Hogan literally owned midfield for them in that second half, and with Evan Hanley equally dominant at the heart of their defence, the outcome was speedily put beyond doubt.

Nugent and Taaffe continued to try hard in a Clare attack that was being fed on diet possession, and as the points flowed freely from all ranges and angles, Tipp were soon out of sight. Clare defender Oliver Broughton was dismissed for a second yellow card offence in the 54th minute, and to compound their rapidly deteriorating situation, substitute John Punch joined him on the bench in added time, also for a second yellow card indiscretion. By then, however, Tipp were home and hosed, impressive and decisive winners.

Scorers: Tipperary: T. Slevin(1-5); P. Buckley(1-1); B. Gaynor(0-3); R. O'Brien(0-3); B. Hogan (0-2); C. O'Brien(0-2); S. Everard(0-2); E. Ryan, S. McGrath(0-1 each). Clare; E. Taffee(2-3); B. Nugent(1-3); F. Flynn, Clive Eqarlie B. Shally(0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: D. Hogan; B. Lawlor. D. O'Brien. G. Griffin; D. Maher. E. Hanley. J. Doyle; B. Hogan. C. O'Brien; P. Buckley. T. Slevin. S. McGrath; S. Everard. B. Ghaynor. E. Ryan; Subs; E. Everard for Griffin; R. O'Brien for Gaynor; S. Stapleton for C. O'Brien.

CLARE: S. Hawes; T. Howard. B. Duggan. O. Broughtan; Conor Earley. F. Flynn. C. Corcoran; A. O'Brien. J. McMahon; B. Nugent. B, Shally. R. Stewart; E. Taaffe. B. O'Connor. Clive Earlie; Subs; A. Fleming for Conor Earley; S. Arthur for O'Connor; F. Lynchy for Flynn.

Referee: J. Sexton (Limerick).