Tipp and Antrim reign supreme

All-Ireland champions Clare exited the Bord Gáis Energy Under-21 Hurling Championship tonight as Tipperary captured the Munster title.

Antrim, meanwhile, captured back-to-back honours in the Ulster U-21 Championship.

In a cracking encounter at Semple Stadium, Tipperary won their second provincial title in three years thanks to a 1-22 to 1-17 victory over Clare.

With seven of last year's All-Ireland winning side on board, the Banner County side opened up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead by the third minute.

Conor McGrath netting their goal.

John Conlon, McGrath and Fergus Kennedy hit the visitors' early points, but Tipperary struck back with quartet of unanswered scores.

There was little to separate the sides during a well-contested opening half.

Tipperary went in front for the first time in the 23rd minute, following a superbly-struck free from Seamus Hennessy.

Two McGrath points in as many minutes edged Clare ahead.

However, Michael Heffernan's 26th-minute goal pushed Tipperary 1-12 to 1-9 ahead at half-time.

Tipperary had a chance to grab a second goal, within ten minutes of the restart, but Seamus Hennessy's penalty strike was saved by Clare goalkeeper Cathal Chaplin. His deflection, though, led to Hennessy pointing his side into a 1-14 to 1-11 lead.

Tipperary kept ahead as the game entered the final quarter, and points from John O'Dwyer, Sean Carey and O'Meara sealed the home win.

Meanwhile, Armagh's quest for a first ever Ulster U-21 hurling crown fell short at Casement Park. Their opponents Antrim successfully defended their title courtesy of a 0-21 to 0-16 triumph.

In their first final at this grade since 1979, Armagh set the early pace.

Michael Johnston's charges led by 0-5 to 0-2 after 11 minutes, with Kieran McKernan, Conor Coulter, Michael Lennon, Martin Maguire and captain Nathan Curry all splitting the posts.

Antrim bounced back by landing four of the next five points, full-forward Darren Hamill leading the charge.

Hamill, a senior panellist, tallied up ten points for the Saffrons - five in each half - with Antrim sneaking a 0-9 to 0-8 interval lead thanks to a score from the Shane O'Neill's clubman.

Cormac Donnelly pushed the hosts two points clear on the restart, but Armagh slotted over the next four points. Coulter and McKernan were particularly impressive in front of goal, as the underdogs moved 0-12 to 0-10 ahead in the 36th minute.

Crucially, Armagh were restricted to just four points in the closing stages, as Donnelly (0-5) and man-of-the-match Hamill (0-10) drove Antrim to more silverware.

The Antrim youngsters will now face Tipperary in the All-Ireland U-21 semi-finals on August 21, with Leinster champions Dublin and Galway meeting in the other last-four tie.