Clonmel Commercials 0-12 Newcastle West 1-7

As comebacks go, this one was right up there.

With five minutes remaining in this afternoon’s Munster SFC quarter-final, Clonmel Commercials trailed by four points against visitors Newcastle West.

Former Limerick star Stephen Kelly had cracked over a couple of long-range frees to open up a 1-7 to 0-6 lead but Commercials, the Tipperary champions, hit six in a row down the home straight to set up a last-four clash with Clare’s St Joseph’s, Milltown, in a fortnight.

After drawing level, Commercials hearts were in their mouths in the final minute of normal time when Newcastle West defender Paul Hannan roared through one on one with goalkeeper Jake McDonald but smashed a shot off the upright, when he could have taken a point.

Commercials had another stroke of luck at the other end when Barnes shot for goal and as Newcastle West goalkeeper Jonjo Sheehy attempted to get out of the way as the ball drifted wide, he conceded a 45.

Tipperary senior star Michael Quinlivan stepped forward and after missing a couple of earlier long range frees, he made no mistake this time with an ice-cool 45.

Kennedy kicked his third point in the third minute of stoppage time to seal an incredible win for the hosts.

Commercials: J McDonald; F Condon, D Lynch, J Peters; D Madigan, K Fahey, L Moore; S Kennedy (0-3), A Matassa (0-1); P White, I Fahey, J Lonergan (0-1); K Harney, M Quinlivan (0-2, 1 45), I Barnes (0-4, 2f). Subs: J Kennedy for White (35), P Looram (0-1) for I Fahey (52), I Fahey for Matassa (60+2).

Newcastle West: J Sheehy; M O'Keeffe, B O'Sullivan, S Browne; M O'Leary, S Nix, P Hannan; C Sheehan, I Corbett (0-1); S Brosnan (0-01), S Kelly (0-3, 2f), T Quilligan; J Kelly, M McMahon, J Lee (1-2, 0-2f). Subs: S McAuliffe for Brosnan (27), B O'Doherty for Sheehan (34), G Reidy for Lee (58).

Referee: K Murphy (Cork).