Tipp blitz Banner to reach last four

Tipperary 3-19 Clare 1-14

Tipperary blitzed Clare at Semple Stadium this afternoon to advance to the Allianz NHL Division 1 semi-finals.

Clare were condemned to a relegation playoff against Cork as the Premier County opened up with a classy display.

Eoin Kelly, a six-time All-Star, was in vintage form for the hosts as he bagged 2-8 on a bitterly cold afternoon in Thurles.

Kelly registered 1-4 before half-time as Tipp led by 1-11 to 0-6 at the break.

And he hit the same again after the break as Eamon O’Shea’s side cruised into the last four.

There was another goal for 2010 Hurler of the Year Lar Corbett, who took advantage of a mistake by Clare goalkeeper Patrick Kelly in the 45th minute to net from close range.

Kelly had produced a brilliant first half stop to tip Brendan Maher’s goalbound shot over the crossbar but he was jittery in the second half and Tipp took advantage.

Kelly and full-back David McInerney dithered five minutes from time as Eoin Kelly’s long-range free somehow found its way into the Clare net.

Tipp led from start to finish in front of 5459 spectators and after blowing a five-point lead against Waterford a week ago, they were in no mood to let this latest opportunity slip away.

From the start, Tipp were right up for it as Clare rarely threatened.

However, Tipp goalkeeper Darren Gleeson did well in the 23rd minute as the Portroe man pulled off a fine double save.

Gleeson kept out Colm Galvin’s shot before he got up smartly to scoop the ball to safety as Shane O’Donnell threatened to put away the rebound.

Apart from that, Tipp were in cruise control as corner back Paddy Stapleton, midfielder Brendan Maher and forward Shane Bourke impressed.

Tony Kelly scored a consolation goal in stoppage time for Clare, who must beat Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork to preserve their Division 1A status.