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.

“Mission accomplished” was how manager Liam Sheedy described it, a first final with Waterford in seven years in Thurles on July 12.

Pre-match doubts about Clare’s ability to put up a serious challenge, coming off a poor NHL campaign and starting with just Niall Gilligan of their 1997 All-Ireland winning team, seemed well-founded when they struggled to find a rhythm at the start.

Tipp won possession almost at will, combined smartly in attack – where the highly rated Noel McGrath was one of the stars – and took good scores more easily than they might have expected. When Lar Corbett hit the first of their three goals in the eighth minute, they moved into a position of authority.

They were on top at midfield, where Shane McGrath made the better start and just as they threatened regularly up front, their backs were coping comfortably with a weak Clare attack, with Paddy Stapleton making an impact in the right corner.

However, nearing the end of the first quarter Clare were much more competitive, with Brendan Bugler making good clearances at centre-back, newcomer James McInerney playing a bit more confidently behind him and Jonathan Clancy starting to win ball against James Woodlock.

Colin Ryan, who was deployed in front of his own half-back line, put over two frees and then added a point from play and for the first time Clare were hurling as a unit. But in a period of eight minutes their position deteriorated, going from four points in arrears to trailing by 11 when Seamus Callanan ran through unchallenged to get Tipp’s second goal.

It might have got worse when Eoin Kelly seemed to be knocked by Brian O’Connell in the square in the 32nd minute and the referee didn’t award a penalty.

Then, out of the blue Diarmuid McMahon had the ball in the net for Clare nearing the end of normal time, running on to a great pass from wing-back Pat Donnellan and finishing perfectly. Now at full-forward and posing a threat for the first time, he followed with a quick point to leave the half-time score 2-11 to 1-8.

Clare resumed in equally high spirits and were unfortunate that after an improving Tony Griffin pointed, a foul on Gilligan prevented him from passing to McMahon who was unmarked and in a position to run at Brendan Cummins.

The resultant free from Ryan had the margin down to four points, but, to Tipperary’s great credit, they lifted their standard again and when the crafty John O’Brien goaled in the 46th minute, a nine-point deficit threatened to swamp the Banner again.

Once more Clare’s character shone through, with McMahon promising a goal in the 52nd minute when he tried to turn Paul Curran but was forced to take a point. Significantly, after a pointed free from Eoin Kelly, who didn’t see a lot of ball, Tipperary were to be limited to just two points in the last 19 minutes. They were repulsed by a rampant Clare defence in which corner-backs Pat Vaughan and Gerry O’Grady shone while up front Ryan’s accuracy (from play and placed balls, including a terrific sideline cut) allowed them to maximise their scoring return.

As the excitement mounted – and John O’Brien got a much-needed Tipp score – Clare were denied a goal by Brendan Cummins’ alertness in the 62nd minute and were further frustrated when an attempt by Ryan to finish the ball to the net was foiled.

In the closing minutes, Noel McGrath came to Tipp’s aid with a crucial point before the game’s final act of drama saw Cummins push a dipping shot from a Ryan free over the bar to deny Clare a draw they would have deserved.

Scorers for Tipperary: N. McGrath 0-7 (1 free, 1 sideline); J. O’Brien 1-2; L. Corbett 1-1; S. Callanan 1-0; P. Kerwick and E. Kelly (0-3 frees) 0-3 each; D. Fanning and J. Woodlock 0-1 each.

Clare: C. Ryan 0-12 (0-4 frees, 0-2 ‘65’s, 0-1 sideline); S. McMahon 1-2; J. Clancy 0-3; T. Griffin 0-2; T. Carmody, D. Barrett and J. Conlon 0-1 each.

Tipperary subs: B. Maher for O’Mahony (ht); W. Ryan for Kerwick (54); B. Dunne for McGrath (62); H. Maloney for Callanan (63); P. Kelly for E. Kelly (67).

Clare subs: B. Nugent for Carmody (60); J. Conlon for Barrett (62); G. O’Connell for Clancy (65).

* James Owen added to his growing reputation with an impressive refereeing performance.