Free-scoring Gilligan topples Cork

Cork 0-16 Clare 0-18

Man-of-the-match Niall Gilligan tallied up 0-11 as Clare beat Munster rivals Cork to move directly through to the Division One semi-finals.

In a high-quality game of hurling at Páirc Uí Rinn, the Banner men – Division 1A leaders before the throw-in – went in at the break with a 0-09 to 0-08 lead.

Gilligan struck seven of their points, while Tom Kenny, taking over the free-taking duties, notched three points for Cork.

The Rebels’ bid faltered in the closing stages as corner back Dara McSweeney was sent off on 63 minutes. Gilligan pointed an injury-time penalty to rub salt into Cork’s wounds.