Cork and Clare are through to the final…
The line-up for this year’s Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Final was sorted after the semi-final action tonight. Cork will take on Clare in the decider after they both progressed in very different circumstances tonight.
Cork were comfortable winners in the end over Waterford in their semi-final this evening as they ran out 3-18 to 0-16 in Walsh Park. The Deise were well in it in the first half and actually lead at half-time by 0-11 t 0-10.
However, Cork went up through the gears in the second half and outscored Waterford by 3-8 to 0-5. Alan Cadogan scored two of the goals and Colm Spillane netted towards the end to seal an 11 point win for the Rebels, who were reduced to 14-men with 15 minutes to go after Cormac Murphy’s dismissal.
The other semi final tonight was an absolute cracker as Clare needed extra-time to beat Tipperary on a scoreline of 5-19 (34) to 1-25 (28). The Banner had seven seniors involved and their want was greater having been knocked out by Wexford last weekend but Tipp really put it up to them tonight.
At the end of an hour of brilliant hurling, the sides were deadlocked, Clare 3-13 Tipperary 1-19. Extra-time was tight as could be until Aaron Cunningham netted to give the Banner breathing space.
Tipp pushed for a goal at the end and Jason Forde had a goal-bound effort stopped by Clare ‘keeper Keith Hogan. The Banner moved the ball up the field and it fell to last year’s All-Ireland Final hero Shane O’Donnell who swept the ball into the net to seal an eight point win.
Cork v Clare will take place at Cusack Park in two weeks time.