Cummins repels late Banner charge

PUSHING the favourites to the absolute limit after having faced the prospect of a heavy defeat was of even less consolation to gallant Clare in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday when they were drawn against Galway in the qualifiers.

However, that was the price they paid for being that bit more inconsistent in the second of the Munster SHC semi-finals, while Tipperary’s goal-scoring capacity was secondary to the durability of their defence in a hectic finale to a stirring contest.

The champions made the perfect start, going eight points ahead after just nine minutes, stretching that lead to 11 in the 28th and despite a late first-half goal by Clare’s Diarmuid McMahon, Tipp still led by nine points 11 minutes into the second half. But after that it was a case of just about surviving a spirited Clare rally which drew inspiration from Newmarket-on-Fergus newcomer Colin Ryan, who scored 12 points.