Tipperary down Clare to reach All-Ireland semi-finals

Reigning champions Tipperary have reached the All-Ireland semi-finals following a 0-28 to 3-16 victory over Clare at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Tipp raced into a six-point lead before 20 minutes were out but then conceded two goals as Clare fought back into contention to trail by five scores at half-time.

Tipp looked to be coasting to victory before a late rally from Clare led to a tight endgame, which saw just one score between the teams with three minutes left on the clock, with Tipp seeing the tie home.

The encounter opened in an even manner with Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell pointing for Clare, and the McGrath brothers Noel and John, doing the same for Tipp.

From there Tipp soared free with six unanswered scores, Seamus Callanan hit three, while John McGrath whistled one over the bar, when a goal should have been recorded.

Clare struck back with two goals from Aaron Cunningham to haul themselves back in touch at 0-09 to 2-03.

But Clare’s ability in front of goal let them down as they struck 11 wides before the break, while Tipp finished four fine scores through Callanan, Seamus Kennedy, John O’Dwyer and John McGrath, to give them a commanding 0-16 to 2-05 lead at half-time.

Callanan came close to a goal just after the break for Tipp - instead pointing, while Kelly notched three scores for Clare to leave the gap at four points heading into the last 20 minutes, before the McGrath brothers and O’Dwyer added a point apiece to stretch out the Tipp lead.

However, Clare dug deep to almost pull off a sensational comeback, with sub Peter Duggan in sensational form in terms of spreading the ball as the Banner hit six points to leave just a score between the teams. But Tipp rallied once more to fend off the comeback and keep their title defence very much on course, despite a late consolation goal from O’Donnell.

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