Tipperary 1-11 Clare 0-11 The experience of Tipperary's Eoin Kelly proved decisive at Cusack Park yesterday evening when Tipperary dismissed home side Clare, and made it through to the Munster under-21 hurling final.

The marksman recorded 1-6 of his side's tally, with the vital goal coming five minutes into the second half.

The visitors started the brighter but could only put over one score from six attempts in the opening 12 minutes.

Considering the amount of possession the Tipperary forwards enjoyed it was obvious that nerves were playing a part.

Before the mid-point of the first half Clare replied with a Brian Culbert score and immediately added two more through Fergal Lynch and Andrew Quinn to claim a two point lead against the run of play.

As the half progressed Clare added a number of well taken points, but their seventh, three minutes before the break, should surely have been a goal if corner forward Daithí O'Connell had settled himself before striking.

As it was the Banner led by seven points to four at the half-time interval on an evening void of any breeze.

From the restart Tipperary upped a gear, with Kelly pointing after three minutes.

Kelly's goal was special. He received a Pat Buckley delivery, rounded the full back and stroked with assurance to the back of the Clare net.

Even though Clare drew level on two occasions shortly afterwards the Tipperary forwards, with Kelly and John O'Brien in top form, proved to be a handful for the Banner defence.

In the end the winners can thank Kelly's early second-half goal but on the night they proved that, even playing badly early on, they had enough in reserve to see off the Clare challenge.

TIPPERARY: V Doheny, E Buckley, J Devane, M Phelan, M Maher, D Fitzgerald, H Moloney, C O'Mahoney (0-1), D Bourke, J O'Brien (0-1), E Ryan, P Buckley (0-1), T Scroope (0-1), E Kelly (1-6, three frees), A O'Neill (0-1). Subs: F Devaney for Bourke, R O'Brien for O'Neill, J Caesar for O'Mahoney.

CLARE: P Brennan, T Holland, R O'Looney, G O'Grady, P Vaughan, B O'Connell, D Clancy, B McPhillips, M Culbert, D Kennedy, B Culbert (0-2), B Loughnane, A Quinn (0-4, three frees), F Lynch (0-1), D O'Connell (0-1). Subs: G Ryan (0-1)for Kennedy, P Collins (0-1) for M Culbert, C Crowe (0-1) for Loughnane, E Burke for McPhillips, P Kilmartin for Vaughan inj.

Referee: G Harrington (Cork).