Munster MFC: Tipperary 1-14 Clare 1-12
If the level of drama at the end of this contest is mirrored when these sides meet again in next week’s Daryl Darcy final, then tickets will be in high demand.
Points given that were clearly wides, wides given that were clearly points, mass confusion over two pointers, 7 minutes of additional time, a black card and a dubious late penalty only tells about half the story of this game.
Clare had the wind in the opening period and with the mercurial Conor Burke amassing 1-6 before half time, the Banner led by 1-9 to 0-3. Conditions were to come in Tipp’s favour for the second half, but Clare looked by the far the better team.
Tipp came out for the second half with a renewed purpose, but when Conor Burke was awarded a dubious point in the 40th minute, despite holding his head in his hands after kicking the ball, Clare were still well in control by 1-11 to 0-5.
Incredibly, that was Clare’s penultimate score of the game with Tipp reeling off four in a row to cut the gap to six with three minutes of normal time left to play.
Substitute Sean Hegarty looked to have kicked the score that would break the momentum to edge Clare seven ahead, but the remaining 10 minutes of the game would be action and incident packed.
Tipp captain Ned O’Meara landed three late frees, before an obvious two point effort caused mass confusion with none of the appointed officials or scoreboard operators seeming to understand what had happened.
Their blushes were spared however as a late penalty for an alleged foot block was powered home to the bottom corner by full forward Dylan McCormack, with that score not only winning the game for Tipp, but also seeing them qualify on scoring difference for the Phase One final at Limericks expense.
It also means that both Clare and Tipperary go through to the championship semi finals to face either Cork or Kerry.
