Tipperary suffer defeat by Clare in National Hurling League semi-final

Clare 1-24 Tipperary 2-13

Tipperary's wait for a 20th National Hurling League title will be extended to a 17th year after they were beaten by Clare by eight points in Sunday's league semi-final at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

A brief revival in the early stages of the second half offered Tipperary some encouragement that they could turn the tables on Clare, who had led at half-time by 1-14 to 1-7. However, having closed the gap to just two points, they couldn't sustain that momentum and Clare eased to the finishing line, as they booked a final meeting with Kilkenny in a fortnight's time.

Tipp were way off the pace in a very disappointing first half display. Clare were well on top from the throw-in and led by 0-8 to no score by the time that Jason Forde had Tipp's first point in the 12th minute.

As they began to warm to their task, Tipp received the boost of an excellently-taken goal by Jake Morris, when he collected Dan McCormack's pass (0-9 to 1-3). However, Clare's reply was instant, with David Fitzgerald running unhindered to blast an unstoppable shot past Tipp goalie Barry Hogan for a spectacular goal.

Tipperary rung the changes at the interval, with the introduction of Sean Hayes and Alan Tynan, and both subs made an immediate impact. Hayes found the net within seconds of the restart while Tynan scored a point, as did another replacement, Sean Kenneally, who came on in the 43rd minute.

The difference was eventually pared back to just two points but Clare regained their composure to close out the win in relative comfort.

Tipperary's effort was badly hampered by a total of 19 wides, almost half of them from frees, on a day when they used four freetakers in front of goal - Jason Forde, Gearoid O'Connor, Willie Connors and Sean Ryan.

Their miserable day was completed when Jake Morris was dismissed in additional time for a second yellow card offence. 

Scorers for Clare: A. McCarthy (0-8, 6 frees, 1 65); D. Fitzgerald (1-3); M. Rodgers (all frees), D. Reidy (0-3 each); K Smyth (0-2); D. Ryan, D. Lohan, A. Hogan C. Malone, C. Galvin (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: J. Forde (0-6, 5 frees); J. Morris (1-2); S. Hayes (1-0); D. McCormack, A. Tynan, W. Connors, S. Kenneally, S. Ryan (free) (0-1 each).

Clare: E. Qulligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary, C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, C. Galvin; C. Malone, D. Lohan; D. Fitzgerald, D. Reidy, P. Duggan; K. Smyth, I. Galvin, M. Rodgers.

Subs: A. McCarthy for M. Rodgers (22); S. Meehan for K. Smyth (52); S. Morey for J. Conlon (56); S. Rynne for I. Galvin (63); R. Hayes for A. Hogan (65); P. Crotty for D. Reidy (70).

Tipperary: B. Hogan; C. Morgan, R. Maher (c), B. O’Mara; D. McCormack, R. Byrne, M. Breen; W. Connors, C. Bowe; C. Stakelum, G. O’Connor, D. Stakelum; J. Forde, P. Maher, J. Morris.

Subs: A. Tynan for D. Stakelum, S. Hayes for P. Maher (both half-time); S. Kenneally for C. Stakelum (43); J. Ryan for C. Bowe (55); S. Ryan for G. O’Connor (61).

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway).