*Clare’s John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill For the first time in a quarter of a century, Clare will contest a third consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Final after eventually holding off hosts Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles.
*Dermot Coughlan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill IT CAME down to the first quarter for Clare’s minor footballers as they exited the Munster championship, manager Dermot Coughlan maintained.
*Clare’s Conor Burke. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Unfortunately Clare’s shot at a first Munster Minor Football Final in four years was over before it even got started in Quilty on Tuesday evening.
*Clare’s Graham Ball. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Clare are within touching distance of a third consecutive Munster Minor Final after a goalrush maintained their perfect defence of their provincial and All-Ireland crowns in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.
*Patrick Finnernan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A final flourish of the last five points finally protected Clare’s perfect start to this year’s Munster Minor Hurling Championship in what was an unconventional Shannonside derby in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.
*Sean McMahon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A far more encouraging performance from Clare still wasn’t enough to keep their Munster Under 20 Championship hopes alive after finally being forced to concede second best to Tipperary for the second time.
*Conor Burke tries to get his shot away. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill No doubt about who won the phoney derby war as Tipperary take the psychological edge into their Daryl Darcy Cup decider rematch after a commanding display.
*Clare joint captain, Odhran Cunningham. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill There was no sign of any ambush in Quilty as holders Kerry eased to the opening points of the new Munster Under 20 Phase 2 round-robin series.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Three second half goals catapulted Clare into the last four in the Munster Minor Championship after producing a rousing eleven point turnaround in Ballyagran.
*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill The personnel may have altered but Clare’s newest crop of minors proved just as determined to follow in their Munster and All-Ireland winning predecessors footsteps with a commanding opening victory in Cusack Park.