Munster MFC Phase One Round Three: Clare 2-8 Tipperary 2-6
On an evening filled with drama, twists and turns, Clare secured their place in Phase Two of the Munster MFC.
It took a 62nd minute goal from Thomas Dillon to see Clare over the line, after a third period where Tipperary had rattled off 2-5 without reply to overturn an eight point half time deficit.
Clare played with the aid of the breeze in the opening period and led 1-6 to 0-1 at the break, with Liam Keane notching 1-4 in the first half, including a bullet of a goal in the 13th minute.
The Banner started the second half brightly with the first two scores, but the first momentum turn arrived in the 37th minute as Conor O’Meara arrowed home from the penalty spot to kickstart the comeback; with Clare reduced to 14 men for a period as Tristan O’Loughlin picked up a black card in giving away the penalty.
Three more points followed for the Premier before an excellent two point effort saw Clare’s lead cut to 1-8 to 1-6 with six minutes to play.
Just seconds later, the tie was turned on its head when Tipperary raided for their second goal and suddenly Clare’s season was hanging in the balance.
Dillon’s dramatic intervention arrived when he was quickest to react after an initial shot was parried; and he palmed to the net from close range to give Clare the win.
Waterfords one point win over Limerick in Lemybrien added to the drama as that result saw the Deise top the group after recovering from being 1-9 to 0-4 down at the break.
Clare now face Cork in the opening Phase Two game at home in two weeks time before a showdown with Waterford in Lemybrien which also doubles as the Darrel Darcy final, while their final game will be away to Kerry in Austin Stack Park in Tralee
