Clare’s National Hurling league campaign has come to an end with a seven point defeat to Tipperary in their Semi Final at the Gaelic Grounds.
Tipperary advance to the final against Kilkenny after beating Davy Fitzgerald’s charges 2-24 to 2-17.
The premier county led 1-14 to 1-07 at half time, but the banner had it back to a 3 point game with a colin Ryan pointed free and a Pat Donnellan goal inside four minutes of the second half.
However that margin was as close as the All Ireland Champions could bring the contest in the second half.
Bonnar Maher scored his, and Tipperary’s second goal in the 43rd minute stretching their lead to 5 points.
After 64 minutes it was back to a 3 point game but Tipp scored four points before Clare replied with their final point from Colin Ryan, and a Shane Bourke point in injury time closed scoring at 2-24 to 2-17.
Clare go to Portugal next week for a training camp with the focus now turning to preparations for their Championship opener on June 15th against the winners of Cork and Waterford.
Tipperary will meet Kilkenny in the Final after the Cats beat Galway 1-16 to 0-15 in the first Semi Final at the Gaelic Grounds.
Despite trailing by 11 points to 6 at half time, Kilkenny put in a superb second half performance aided by a strong wind as they claimed victory, with John Power netting the crucial goal.
