SHC round-up: Deise edge Clare

Waterford defeated Clare at Semple Stadium to book a place in the final of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, while Offaly and Galway ensured progress in Leinster.

In the big clash at Thurles, Waterford produced a 1-21 to 0-17 victory over Clare.

A fantastic Stephen O'Keeffe save prevented Shane O'Donnell from netting an early Banner goal before Maurice Shanahan hit the net with a scuffed effort for Waterford, who went on to lead by four points (1-9 to 0-8) at the midpoint of the affair .

With Pauric Mahony leading the charge, Waterford edged their opponents in the third quarter.

Clare stayed very much in touch with the Deise but Derek McGrath's men kept their heads above water, thanks largely to Kevin Moran, Shanhan and Austin Gleeson.

The Banner troops were unable to threaten late on, and Davy Fitzgerald must now plan for a route through the qualifiers.

Waterford, meanwhiile, progress to a meeting with either Tipperary or Limerick in next month's provincial decider.

In the Leinster quarter-finals, Offaly secured an expected victory over Laois, winning by 3-22 to 2-14 at O'Connor Park.

James Dempsey made a fine save to deny Cha Dwyer a Laois goal before James Mulrooney found the bottom corner at the other end.

However, PJ Scully struck home a rebound following a Dempsey stop from Neil Foyle, as the sides went in on level terms (1-10 apiece) at the interval.

Joe Bergin, though, provided the Faithful's second goal, striding down the middle and finishing well, as the hosts started the second half in a blistering fashion.

Shane Dooley effectively ended Laois's resistance by firing home a penalty.

Substitute Willie Dunphy smashed in a late consolation goal for the beaten O'Moore men.

At Cusack Park, Galway lived up to their billing as overwhelming favourites by comfortably beating Westmeath 3-27 to 0-19.

Galway surged ahead impressively in the first period to lead by 17 points to five at the break, with Joe Canning starring for the visitors.

Westmeath's task was toughened still further when Shane Power was dismissed for an off-the-ball clash early in the second half.

Goals in quick succession from Jason Flynn and Joseph Cooney extended Galway's large advantage, with Conor Whelan's strike adding further gloss to the victory.

The Tribesmen go on to meet Offaly in a Leinster semi-final on June 19, with the victors of that clash to meet either Dublin or Kilkenny in the provincial final.

Laois and Westmeath, meanwhile, drop into the first round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers.