Injury list a growing concern for Tipp

Tipperary 1-16 Clare 1-15:TIPPERARY WERE left nursing a number of worrying injury concerns ahead of the Munster SHC quarter-final showdown with Cork on Sunday week following a challenge outing against Clare in Thurles last night.

Midfielder Gearóid Ryan, wing forward Pat Kerwick, Conor O’Mahony and wing forward John O’Brien were all withdrawn with knocks as Liam Sheedy made a host of changes.

On the plus side, skipper Eoin Kelly lasted the full 70 minutes following his recent hamstring injury. Brian O’Meara strengthened his claims for a start with another solid outing last night.

Tipp were left hanging on for a one-point victory at the finish as Clare sub Mark Flaherty added to his four second half frees with a well-taken goal two minutes from time. O’Meara kicked home a sixth-minute goal to help Tipp into an early 1-2 to 0-1 advantage.

Tipp led by 1-7 to 0-7 at half-time and although Clare got back to within a point eight minutes after the restart, the hosts took control again and were coasting until a late Banner County rally.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; C O’Brien, Pádraic Maher, P Curran, D Fanning, C O’Mahony, M Cahill; G Ryan, B Maher; N McGrath (0-1), S Callanan (0-1), J O’Brien; E Kelly (0-7, two frees, two 65), B O’Meara (1-1), T Hammersley (0-1). Subs: H Maloney for Ryan (13), S McGrath (0-2) for B Maher, S Maher for Cahill, P Kerwick (0-1) for N McGrath, D Egan for Hammersley, D Young for Fanning (all half-time), S Hennessy for O’Meara (45), J Brennan for Kerwick (47), Patrick Maher for Callanan (55), M Heffernan (0-2) for O’Mahony (52), P Stapleton for Young (56), P Fanning for J O’Brien (57).

CLARE: D Tuohy; P Vaughan, C Dillon, C Cooney; B Bugler, D McMahon, P Donnellan (0-1); B O’Connell, J Clancy (0-3); S Collins (0-3), J Conlon, C O’Donovan; M ‘Ogie’ Murphy, F Lynch, C Ryan (0-4, two frees). Subs: M Flaherty (1-4, four frees) for O’Donovan (half-time), E Glynn for Vaughan (42), M Scanlan for Lynch (45).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).