Determined Tulla secure final place

Tulla 2-13 Ballyduff Upper 0-14Clare side Tulla's bandwagon keeps on rolling. Having captured their first county title in over 70 years last month, they now are in the Munster final as a result of a deserved five-point victory over Waterford champions Ballyduff Upper at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

Two goals in the space of five minutes in the final quarter proved vital for Tulla in a tense but enjoyable encounter.

Tulla controlled the opening half, but a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the break was a poor return for their dominance. The home side led by three points to nil within five minutes of the start and it wasn't until the eighth minute, before Brendan Hannon opened Ballyduff's account with a point.

Scores from Brian Lynch, Danny O'Halloran and team captain Michael Murphy helped Tulla into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead but Brendan Hannon converted two frees late in the half to keep Ballyduff well in contention.

Brian Quinn increased Tulla's lead with a point on the restart but the switch of full forward Brian Kearney to midfield helped Ballyduff rally and they reduced the lead to a single point, 0-11 to 0-10, by the 49th minute.

But then a fortuitous goal turned the game in Tulla's favour. Brian Lynch's shot from the left wing hit the Ballyduff upright and ricocheted into the net off hapless full-back Thomas Molumphy.

Five minutes later Brian Quinn finished off a flowing move with a superb second goal to seal Tulla's place in the provincial decider.

TULLA:P Brennan; E Cooney, S Torpey, J Brennan; C McInerney, M Quinn, P Lynch; B Lynch (1-2),D Murphy; B Quinn (1-2), M Murphy (0-3),C O Halloran, D O'Halloran (0-4),K Brennan, A Lynch (0-2). Sub:J Littleton for K Brennan (51).

BALLYDUFF UPPER:A Power; P Molumphy, T Molumphy, M Drislane; S Hannon, T Feeney, G Feeney; J Twomey (0-1),S Molumphy; J Kearney, S Cunningham, S Kearney (0-1),K Geary, B Kearney (0-2), B Hannon (0-10, eight frees, one 65). Subs:S Feeney for Cunningham (47), L McNamara for Geary (53).

Referee: C MacAllister(Cork)