*Clare captain Donncha O’Dwyer powers forward. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
THERE was heartbreak for Clare once more as for the second successive time in a week, Tipperary produced a smash-and-grab turnaround to wrestle back the Daryl Darcy Cup
Tipperary 1-16
Clare 1-14
AET
Venue: FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles
The attendance of 642 were treated to a compelling 80 minute rollercoaster ride that swayed one way and then the next before the home side eventually prevailed with 1-2 without reply to secure a first Phase 1 success since 2022.
Picking up where they left off in Templetuohy seven days previously, Tipperary dominated the opening half with the aid of the conditions but never fully reflected that the scoreboard as a dogged Banner kept the gap to two by the break at 0-6 to 0-4.
Tipperary did have a goal disallowed for a needless square ball but equally Conor Burke would be denied by a great save from home goalkeeper James O’Brien.
Now backed by the conditions, a seven point unanswered blitz in as many minutes five from the boot of the talismanic Conor Burke along with a two-pointer for substitute Michael Normoyle powered Joe Hayes’ side into an 0-12 to 0-08 cushion by the turn of the final quarter.
Amazingly Clare failed to add to that tally in the remaining twenty minutes despite having the aid of the wind and an extra player after Tipperary wing-back Darragh Bresnan was black-carded entering the last ten minutes.
Chief marksman Ned O’Meara and Sean Burke lowered the arrears to two by the hour mark but almost snatched victory in the 62nd minute when Burke and Dylan McCormack combined to centre for centre-back Niall Delaney to shoot at goal, only for Oisin Tierney to produce a superb point blank save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
With the clock entering the fourth minute of additional time, a foul on replacement Killian Fitzgerald coughed up a free that O’Meara gladly converted to relievedly force extra-time at 0-12 to 0-12.
The additional periods were sparked into life after only 90 seconds when Conor Burke picked up possession 60 metres out and embarked on a mazy run that saw him race through and find the net for the goal of the championship to date at 1-12 to 0-12.
Tipperary responded well through points for Jack Kearney and Sean Burke, only to be floored once more when the inspirational Burke converted another two-point free into a stiff breeze at 1-14 to 0-14.
There would be time for another twist though as only two minutes out from half-time, Sean Griffin was held for a penalty that Dylan McCormack cooly slotted home for his second penalty goal against Clare in seven days to regain full parity.
Clare never recovered as despite now having the conditions at the backs for the second period of extra-time, the visitors appeared more war weary than their hosts who managed to edge back in front for the first time in almost 40 minutes when Ned O’Meara arrowed over his sixth free of the afternoon at 1-15 to 1-14.
Clare goalkeeper Oisin Tierney again came to the rescue to snuff out a Dylan McCormack goal sighting but Tipperary would subsequently double their advantage in the 77th minute when O’Meara played a quick free to Killian Smith to just clear the crossbar.
Clare did inevitably lay siege on Tipperary’s arc for the remainder but an Ollie Sherlock two-point effort at the death was all they had to show for their effort as Tipperary prevailed to snatch back the Daryl Darcy Cup.
Ten points up in the final group game the previous Monday, Clare had ample opportunities over both ties to finish off their neighbours but weren’t ultimately ruthless enough to do so. Instead Tipperary should be commended for their never-say-die resilience that means that not only do they secure some early silverware but also have home advantage against the losers of this evening (Monday)’s clash between Cork and Kerry.
Meanwhile a heartbroken Banner have to pick up the pieces as they now take on the winners of that tie on away soil next Monday, easily the greatest challenge that they’ve faced in their fledgling inter-county championship careers.
Scorers for Tipperary: Ned O’Meara 0-7 (6f); Sean Burke 0-4; Dylan McCormack 1-1 (1-0 Pen); Dara Maher, Niall Delaney, Jack Kearney, Killian Smith 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Conor Burke 1-9 (2tpf); Michael Normoyle 0-2 (tp); Liam Casey, Danny Lyne, Ajay Daly 0-1 each
Tipperary
1: James O’Brien (Moyle Rovers)
2: Cormac McInerney (Cashel King Cormacs)
3: Daniel Charles (Clonmel Commercials)
4: Conor Hurley (Moyle Rovers)
7: Jack Kearney (Ballyporeen)
6: Niall Delaney (JK Bracken’s)
5: Darragh Bresnan (Arravale Rovers)
8: Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane)
9: Aaron McAndrew (Moyle Rovers)
17: Aaron Brazil (Lattin Cullen)
11: Killian Smith (Clonmel Commercials)
10: Sean Burke (JK Bracken’s)
13: Dylan McCormack (Clonmel Óg)
14: Ned O’Meara (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone)
15: Dara Maher (Clonmel Commercials),
Subs
18: Sean Cleary (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for Brazil (HT)
21: Charlie Hall (Golden Kilfeacle) for McAndrew (43)
23: Cillian Morrissey (Moyle Rovers) for Maher (45)
20: Reuben Grace (Galtee Rovers/St Pecaun’s) for Smith (59)
19: Killian Fitzgerald (Lorrha Dorrha) for Cleary (59)
11: Smith for Burke (73)
12: Rory O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg) for Kearney (77)
Clare
1: Oisin Tierney (Corofin)
2: Cian Corry (Cooraclare)
3: Aidan O’Connell (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: Donncha O’Dwyer (St Breckan’s)
9: Ruben Fallon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
12: Danny Lyne (Éire Óg)
11: Jack O’Loughlin (St Breckan’s)
10: Liam Keane (Lissycasey)
13: Conor Burke (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
14: Liam Casey (Kildysart)
15: Cathal McNamara (St Breckan’s)
Subs
20: Aaron Kelly (Cratloe) for Keane (HT)
24: Michael Normoyle (St Breckan’s) for O’Loughlin (HT)
19: Rian O’Neill (St Breckan’s) for Murphy (45)
22: Ollie Sherlock (Cratloe) for Casey (49)
23: Sean Hegarty (Banner) for Lyne (53)
17: Darragh Fahy (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for O’Connell (70)
18: TJ Moore (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Fallon (70)
14: Casey for McNamara (73)
Referee: James Regan (Cork)
