Clare punish misfiring Tipperary to book league final showdown with Kilkenny

The Banner led throughout against an off-form Premier.

Ronan Maher of Tipperary gathers possession during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

CLARE 1-24 TIPPERARY 2-13 

Clare will face Kilkenny in their first Division 1 final in four years after dismissing a dismal Tipperary effort in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

Led by the impeccable David Fitzgerald, last year’s Munster runners-up led from start to finish and were far too sharp and composed for their opponents who had a day to forget in front of goal, hitting 19 wides, almost half of them coming from frees.

Seven points in arrears at half-time, 1-14 to 1-7, Tipperary had sliced the deficit to three by the 43rd minute. Seán Hayes made an instant impact coming off the bench to net a goal seconds into the half after a driving run by Conor Bowe.

Another replacement Seán Kenneally brought them to within a score of Clare but the leading team sent over the next three points to resume control. After a Jake Morris point, they posted another three on the bounce to put the game beyond Tipperary.

Clare had eight points on the board before Tipperary opened their ledger in the 12th minute via a Jason Forde free. But their conversion rate from placed balls left a lot to be desired for the remainder of the half. After missing three, Forde was replaced on free-taking duties by Gearóid O’Connor but he then sent two wide.

Keith Smyth was an eager starter for Clare, picking off two points inside the opening minute, and the strong running of the Clare half-backs and midfield was warping the Tipperary centre out of shape.

The good Clare support were off their feet in the 14th minute when it seemed Mark Rodgers had finished to the net only for the strike to be adjudged a wide. However, there was a goal three minutes later as Jake Morris took receipt of a splendid Dan McCormack pass to score low past Eibhear Quilligan.

No sooner were Tipperary celebrating were they bemoaning tuning off for the resultant puckout as in-form David Fitzgerald received it then made a dart towards goal and struck high to the net.

Cian Galvin stretched Clare’s lead to eight point in the 24th minute but there was a let-off for The Banner a few minutes later when John Conlon, having already been booked, should have been yellow carded again after bringing down Forde as he honed in on goal.

Their lead jumped to nine by the half-hour mark although Tipperary, despite piling on wides from frees, saw out the half with the last couple of points through McCormack and Morris.

Scorers for Clare: A. McCarthy (0-8, 6 frees, 1 65); D. Fitzgerald (1-3); M. Rodgers (frees), D. D. Reidy (0-3 each); K Smyth (0-2); D. Ryan, D. Lohan, A. Hogan C. Malone, C. Galvin (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: J. Forde (0-6, 5 frees); J. Morris (1-2); S. Hayes (1-0); D. McCormack, A. Tynan, W. Connors, S. Kenneally, S. Ryan (free) (0-1 each).

CLARE: E. Qulligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary, C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, C. Galvin; C. Malone, D. Lohan; D. Fitzgerald, D. Reidy, P. Duggan; K. Smyth, I. Galvin, M. Rodgers.

Subs for Clare: A. McCarthy for M. Rodgers (temp 22-ft); S. Morey for D. Lohan (temp 47-54); S. Meehan for K. Smyth (52); S. Morey for J. Conlon (56); S. Rynne for I. Galvin (63); R. Hayes for A. Hogan (65); P. Crotty for D. Reidy (70+2).

TIPPERARY: B. Hogan; C. Morgan, R. Maher (c), B. O’Mara; D. McCormack, R. Byrne, M. Breen; W. Connors, C. Bowe; C. Stakelum, G. O’Connor, D. Stakelum; J. Forde, P. Maher, J. Morris.

Subs for Tipperary: A. Tynan for D. Stakelum, S. Hayes for P. Maher (both h-t); S. Kenneally for C. Stakelum (43); J. Ryan for C. Bowe (55); S. Ryan for G. O’Connor (61).

Referee: L. Gordon (Galway).