SHC round-up: Tipperary survived a brave comeback from Clare to book their place in the Munster hurling final with a nerve jangling 3-18 to 1-22 win. In Leinster, Dublin will contest their first provincial decider since 1990 after a memorable 0-18 to 1-13 win over Wexford.
Tipperary were put to the pin of their collar at the Gaelic Grounds as they allowed Clare back into a contest that should have been sewn up well before the finish.
Tipp raced to a 1-6 to 0-1 lead after just 10 minutes, Lar Corbett notching the all important goal. But, in what would become a recurring theme for the Premier County, they let Clare back into it with Colin Ryan grabbing his first three points of the day (he would finish with 0-12 of his side’s total).
Again Tipp pulled clear, Seamus Callanan beating Clare goalkeeper Philip Brennan for a second time as his side amassed an 11 point lead. But Clare hit back through a Diarmuid McMahon goal and trailed by just six at the interval.
It appeared Tipperary had finally put away Clare early in the second half, McGrath, James Woodlock and Corbett all notching scores before John O’Brien flicked home a third goal of the afternoon.
But Clare refused to buckle and with Ryan keeping the scoreboard ticking over, Mike McNamara’s side were suddenly within touching distance. And when Ryan fired in a last-gasp free to salvage the draw, it took a fine Brendan Cummins block to save the day for Tipperary.
Dublin, meanwhile, overcame Wexford by just two points at Nowlan Park. Leading by four points at the break, Dublin held firm despite a Nicky Kirwan goal and Kevin Flynn’s sending off to book a date with Kilkenny.