Clare dethroned Tipperary as Munster Intermediate hurling champions following a well-deserved victory in a disappointing semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday. They now play either Cork or Waterford in the final. Clare played with the strong wind in the first-half and led by 0-8 to 0-2 at the break with full-forward Mark Lennon, grandson of the legendary Mick Mackey, scoring four points from frees.
Tipperary came more into the game on the resumption with the accuracy of Brian Stritch from placed balls cutting the deficit to three points.
Clare's Sean Doyle, who played solidly at midfield throughout, made it 0-12 to 08 with time almost up.
The holders finished with a flourish as substitute Jimmy O'Dwyer scored the only goal after a close-range free was blocked, but time ran out on them.
Clare: B O'Donnell; C Harrison, D Duggan, B McMahon; J McMahon, C Earlie, B Clancy; S Doyle (0-3), F Lynch; S Arthur (0-1), B Russell (0-1), PJ Kelliher; J Punch, M Lennon (0-6), S Ryan. Subs: D Conway (0-1) for Ryan, M Kelly for Russell, B McNamara for Lennon, A O'Brien for Kelliher, D O'Rourke for Punch.
Tipperary: K O'Brien; B McKeogh, M McCabe, D Maher; G Ryan, J McGrath, C Everard; G Slattery (0-2), M Spillane (0-1); S Everard, B O'Dwyer, T Connors; E Ryan, B Stritch (0-3), K Nealon (0-2). Subs: J O'Dwyer (1-0) for S Everard, S Kennedy for G Ryan, J English for Connors, K Corbett for B O'Dwyer, E Everard for Spillane.
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).
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