Conor Burke stars as Clare minors beat Tipperary to set up Munster semi-final with Cork

Four weeks ago, Burke’s stoppage-time goal rescued Clare from defeat against Waterford. This time, his 62nd-minute finish proved the clincher as Diarmuid Boyle, who was sent off for a second yellow card late on, lifted the trophy.

The Munster phase 1 competition outcome means the Banner will meet Cork in the Munster semi-final next Tuesday, while runners-up Tipp must tackle Kerry.

The Premier made nine changes from their round-robin victory over Clare last time out but it was one of the westerners’ two switches that made the difference. Seán Fennell came into the attack and he laid on both goals, scored three points, and won two converted frees.

Tipp had led at half-time, 0-6 to 0-5, after overcoming a rocky start in which Fennell had a shot on goal tipped over by Mark Conroy before Burke added another with a super jinking move.

Tipp had to wait until the 25th minute for Patrick McDonagh to kick their first from play to push them ahead. Dylan Cotter added a huge score moments later.

But Clare would outscore them 2-7 to 0-4 after the break. The opening goal in the 33rd minute came from Fennell’s reverse pass to the onrushing Shane O’Connell and gave them a lead they would never relinquish.

After Leo Switzer was denied by a Noah O’Flynn foot-block, Fennell could’ve netted himself but he blasted over from the spot.

As Tipp chased a lifeline, a cramping Burke made the game safe with his final act to palm home at the end of a breakaway move.

SCORERS – Clare: C Burke 1-8 (0-4f); S O’Connell 1-0; S Fennell 0-3 (1 pen); D Cahill 0-1. Tipperary: C Walsh 0-3 (3f); J Garrett (2f), D Cotter, P McDonagh 0-2 each; T Corcoran 0-1 (f).

CLARE: E Byrne; A Killeen, C Hill, J Blunnie; L Switzer, A Weaver, S Murphy; D Boyle, C Downes; D Cahill, S O’Connell, D Brody; D McMahon, C Burke, S Fennell. Subs: C Walsh for Cahill (43), L Clune for Brody (43), D Townsend for O’Connell (55), K Hanley for Burke (60+2).

TIPPERARY: M Conroy; N O’Flynn, R Myles, G Neville; D Morris, T Corcoran, J Garrett; D Hogan, O Gahan; D Cotter, J Yousif, S Griffin; C Kelly, P McDonagh, C Walsh. Subs: C Healy for Gahan (36), C Collins for Yousif (43), J McGonigle for Kelly (48), A Coppinger for Hogan (51), T Shanahan for O’Flynn (58).

REF: E Ó Muircheartaigh (Kerry).