Early goals see Tipp through

Clare 0-14 Tipperary 2-14

The notion that goals win matches rung true at a rain-sodden Gaelic Grounds today as two in the space of two first half minutes from Lar Corbett and Micheal Webster saw Tipperary's Munster SHC tilt remain on course.

The Premier side's path through to a June 26 Munster-final shot at All-Ireland champions Cork was effectively decided in the opening period by that double blow.

Anthony Daly's Clare, impressive winners over Tipp just two months ago in the NHL, shared 14 second-half points with the eventual winners, but a sorry first-half tally of 10 wides dented both their challenge and confidence.

Tipp's Eoin Kelly arrowed over two points in the opening nine minutes, replied to by Tony Carmody and Diarmuid McMahon, before Clare debutant Barry Nugent missed a glorious goal chance.

With rain steadily falling at the Limerick venue, Nugent found himself in acres of space but his ground shot squeezed just wide of the Tipp goal.

The Banner men were made to pay the ultimate price. Clare's marking was non-existent on 11 minutes as a neat Webster lay-off saw Corbett, who returned to the fray from Australia in march, net Tipp's first goal.

Barely 60 seconds later, the blue-and-amber followers were celebrating a second. This time, Corbett turned provider, fielding a superb long ball from Paul Kelly and hand-passing for Webster to scoop it around Davy Fitzgerald and into the Clare net.

That score made it 2-02 to 0-02 in favour of Ken Hogan's men.

They maintained that advantage to the half-time interval - 2-07 to 0-07 - despite a purple patch for Clare.

Nugent was foiled from another goal opportunity by the stick of goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, but points from Tony Griffin, Niall Gilligan and Seanie McMahon helped Clare stay in the hunt.

Tipp marksman Eoin Kelly had four points to his name before Francis Devenney closed out the first half with a late effort.

It was nip-and-tuck in the second period, and with weather conditions improving, so too did the hurling.

Kelly was proving an insurmountable target for Clare as he continually replied with scores from play and frees to ward off the Banner's comeback hopes.

Devenney made it 2-12 to 0-12 before a 20-metre free struck by Gilligan, with a goal his obvious target, was miscued and easily saved by Cummins.

With that, Clare's Munster bid looked at an end and though Gilligan notched two late scores, substitute Evan Sweeney's first ever Championship points (two) eased tigerish Tipp through.