Tipp hold off battling Banner to book final spot

TIPPERARY set up another “old firm” Munster U21 hurling final with Cork at Semple Stadium last night but were made to work hard for their victory over a tenacious Clare side that put in a storming second-half rally that only marginally fell short.

It wasn’t the greatest of games before a surprisingly small attendance of less than 3,000, but Clare’s second-half resurgence made for an exciting spectacle as the battling Banner came within a whisker of bringing the game to a replay.

Tipp just about held on and while one couldn’t seriously argue with the merits of their win they are going to have to step up several notches on this mediocre performance if they hope to dethrone the defending champions in the final.