Munster MHC: Waterford 1-21 Clare 1-15
A late Waterford surge, including 1-4 from Cormac Spain, was enough to eventually see off a spirited Clare in Fraher Field.
The six point margin doesn’t at all reflect the close nature of the contest with the sides level on nine different occasions over the 64 minutes of play.
Spain and Paul Rodgers were having their own shootout in the opening half, with the Deise marginally ahead 0-10 to 0-9 at the break.
A burst of three unanswered scores at the start of the second period sent Waterford three clear, but a brilliant Rodgers goal, made of persistence as much as placement, levelled the sides in the 35th minute, and he added a free to give the lead to Clare just moments later.
Cormac Spain’s ability to punish Banner indiscretions from placed balls kept his side in touch, but a hammer blow arrived in the 55 minute when his long range free bounced in the square before nestling in the top corner to give Waterford a three point lead.
The momentum was fully harnessed by the home side as they reeled off the final three points of the night to set up a Munster final showdown with Cork.
Up next for Clare will be a preliminary quarter final in the All Ireland series
