Banner’s rise irresistible

Clare 1-17 Tipperary 2-10

On a perfect evening for hurling, the Banner lads were too quick, too slick, too sure and too well drilled (kudos again to joint managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney) for a Tipperary side that began to click into gear only when the game was already gone.

It was always going to be a big ask for the home side, though, Clare backboned by 10 of last year’s All-Ireland-winning side, six of whom are now regular starters with the senior team which on Sunday week will contest the All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick.