*Clare’s Conor Burke. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s minor footballers fell to their first defeat of 2025 but in the most controversial circumstances.
Tipperary 1-14
Clare 1-12
Venue: Templetuohy
Six points ahead (1-12 to 0-9) as the signal went up for four minutes of additional time Clare looked set to finish the group stage in this year’s Munster minor football championship unbeaten.
However Tipperary landed five points including one two pointer in three minutes to close the gap to two. Still, Clare looked like they were going to hold on for victory as the game moved beyond the allocated four minutes of additional time.
As the clock read that seven minutes of additional time had been played, Tipperary were awarded a penalty which full forward Dylan McCormack converted to spark off wild celebrations amongst the home following at Templetuohy.
The game produced plenty of talking points which included controversial refereeing and umpire calls
Despite the loss Clare still top the group and they will face Tipperary again next Monday in the Daryl Darcy cup final which Clare currently hold having won the final last year.
The Banner outfit will be disappointed with the manner in which they faded in the closing minutes of this one.
Nine points in front at half time and they could have enjoyed a greater lead, they maintained this lead to the end of the third quarter but from here on the home side grew in confidence.
The game was eight minutes old before the first score was recorded and it won’t come as any surprise to learn that the scorer was Conor Burke who landed a two pointer.
Four more minutes elapsed before Tipperary opened their account through their captain Ben O’Meara who converted a free.
Clare then hit a purple patch landing five unanswered points in a four minute spell. Tipperary responded with two scores before a brilliant Clare move ended with Conor Burke finding the net.
Clare finished out the half with points from Jack O’Loughlin and Burke to go to the dressing room 1-9 to 0-3 in front.
Just before the break Clare’s Cathal McNamara was shown a yellow card while Tipperary full back Daniel Chambers was black carded.
Scorers; Tipperary; Ned O’Meara (0-7, 1tp) Dylan McCormack (1-1, 1-0 penalty) Darragh Bresnan, Aaron McAndrew, Sean Burke, Killian Smith, Reuban Grace, Luke McKeogh (0-1) each
Scorers Clare: Conor Burke (1-8, 1tp) Jack O’Lougjlin, Cathal McNamara, Liam Casey Ollie Sherlock (0-1) each
Tipperary:
1; James O’Brien (Moyle Rovers)
2; Cormac McInerney (Cashel King Cormacks)
3; Daniel Charles (Clonmel Commercials)
4; Aaron Brazil (Lattin Cullien)
5; Darragh Bresnan (Arravale Rovers)
6; Conor Hurley (Moyle Rovers)
7; Jack Kearney (Ballyporeen)
8; Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane)
9; Aaron McAndrew (Moyle Rovers)
10; Sean Burke (JK Brackens)
11; Ned O’Meara (C.J. Kickhams Mullinahone) Captain
12; Sean Cleary (Knockavilla Donaskeagh Kickams)
13; Killian Smith (Clonmel Commercials)
14; Dylan McCormackm (Clonmel Óg)
15; Dara Maher (Clonmel Commercials)
Subs:
21 Luke McKeogh Ballina for A. Brazil (half time)
18; Nialll Dellaney (JK Brackens) for S. Cleary (half time)
24; Andy Williams (Killenaule) for D. Maher (52)
22; Cillian Morrissey (Moyle Rovers) for J Kearney (55)
Clare
1: Oisin Tierney (Corofin)
2: Cian Corry (Cooraclare)
3: Aidan O’Conell, (Éire Óg)
4: James Rafferty (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
5: Eoin Murphy (Cooraclare)
6: Shane Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
7: Ajay Daly (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
8: Donnacha O’Dwyer (St Breckan’s) Captain
9: Ruben Fallon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
10: Liam Keane (Lissycasey)
11: Jack O’Loughlin (St Breckan’s)
12: Danny Lyne (Éire Óg)
13: Conor Burke Kilmurry Ibrickane)
14: Liam Casey (Kildysart)
15: Cathal McNamara (St Breckan’s)
Subs:
20: Aaron Kelly (Cratloe) for C. McNamara (42);
22: Ollie sherlock (Cratloe) for J. O’Loughlin (48)
21: Gareth Murphy (Cratloe) for L Keane (54)
23: Sean Hegarty (Banner) for D. Lyne (51)
Referee: Jack Bray (Waterford)
