Clare ... 0-10 Limerick ... 1-6 Midfielder Ger Quinlan was the hero for Clare when his 50th-minute point, after a solo run which went unchecked, gave his side victory over Limerick in a lively and entertaining semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday. They will play Tipperary in the decider next weekend.
Clare had to live on a knife edge right to the finish as Limerick attacked in waves. Twice last season's leading marksman, Michael Reidy, wasted chances. He missed a scoreable free within three minutes of Quinlan's match-winner, and met with the same fate after working his way into the heart of the Clare area.
Limerick led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time, with Jason Stokes scoring a terrific goal in the 25th minute.
CLARE: D O'Brien; C Whelan, D O'Sullivan, K Nugent; D Heddington, N Griffin, D O'Driscoll; G Quinlan (0-2), D Russell (0-1); J Enright, A Clohessy (0-3), M O'Connell; A O'Dwyer (0-1), S Hickey (0-2), P McMahon (0-1). Subs: M O'Shea for Heddington, M Daly for O'Dwyer, P Cosgrove for Clohessy.
LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, P Windle, T Stack; S Lavin, S Lucey, P Browne; J Stokes (1-0), C Mullane (0-1); S Kelly (0-3), M Gavin, M Reidy (0-1); J Meskell, B Begley, J Murphy (0-1): Sub: P Ahern for Begley.
Referee: P Sheehy (Kerry)
