O'Donoghue class leads Tipperary to first back-to-back Munster for first time in 21 years!

O’Neills.com Munster U20 Hurling Championship Final

Tipperary 3-19

Clare 1-20

Tipperary have completed a rare back to back of Munster Championship titles in the U20/U21 grade after a brilliant final quarter effort dragged them over the line when it looked like Clare were in pole position in TUS Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday.

Clare scored a 43rd minute penalty through Fred Hegarty and led by four points by the end of the third quarter with Tipperary not hurling to their potential in that time.

But a black card penalty in favour of the Premier three minutes later turned the game for Brendan Cummins' side. Conor Martin was scythed down by Jamie Moylan when in on goal and referee Ciarán O'Regan opened his arms to signal for the penalty.

McCarthy slotted it clinically and with Clare down to 14 for ten minutes, Tipperary pushed on to find scores with the outstanding Oisin O'Donoghue leading his team to the win with classy points to earn vital frees.

More to follow........

Scorers: Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy (1-8, 0-8f, 1-0 pen), Oisin O’Donoghue 1-3, Cathal English 1-2, Conor Martin, Paddy McCormac 0-2 each, Joe Egan, Jamie Ormond 0-1 each.

Clare: Fred Hegarty (1-12, 0-9f, 1-0 pen), Jack O’Neill, James Organ 0-2 each, Michael Collins, Daniel Costelloe, Sean Boyce, Ronan Kilroy all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams); Podge O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Aaron O’Halloran (Carrick Swans), Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross Ballycahill); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Jim Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), David Ryan (Arravale Rovers); Joe Egan (Moycarkey Borris), Adam Daly (Knockavilla Kickhams); Cathal English (Father Sheehys), Conor Martin (Cappawhite), David Costigan (Moycarkey Borris); Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs).

Subs used: Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg) for D Ryan (44); Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens) for Costigan (48); Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch) for Daly (53); Mason Cawley (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Martin (61).

Clare: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); Eoghan Gunning (Broadford), John Cahill (Clooney Quin), Fiachra Ó Bhroin (Sixmilebridge); Jamie Moylan (Cratloe), James Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona), Eoin McMahon (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield); Daniel Costelloe (Ballyea), Ronan Kilory (Banner); James Organ (Corofin), Jack O’Neill (Clooney Quin), Fred Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona); Seán Boyce (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara), Michael Collins (Clonlara).

Subs used: Harry Doherty (Clarecastle) for Boyce (39); Robert Loftus (Éire Óg) for Organ (49); Liam Crotty (Scariff) for Collins (52); Tadhg Lohan (Cratloe) for Kilroy (60).

Referee: Ciarán O’Regan (Cork)