Limerick made to earn victory

McGrath Cup:A goal from substitute Niall Mulvihill seven minutes into the second period of extra-time paved the way for Limerick's victory over Tipperary in a dramatic quarter-final at Cahir yesterday.

After a close-fought first half, the home side found themselves a point behind, 0-6 to 0-5. However, a goal from Philip Austin in the 40th minute saw them regain the initiative, but Tipperary faded somewhat from the contest and the visitors gradually edged their way back.

Michael Crowley clinched the equalising goal just on the stroke of full-time.

Tipperary led at the end of the first 10-minute period of extra-time, 1-9 to 0-11. But John Cooke rescued Limerick with a lovely equalising score in the 78th minute to send the match into another period of extra-time.

Declan Browne edged Tipperary in front again, but Mulvihill's goal and a point from substitute Seán Cronin clinched a deserved win.

LIMERICK: M Jones; D Carroll, J McCarthy, S Gallagher; P Ahern, T Cahill, A Lane; T Carroll, J Galvin, G Collins, D Horan (0-3), J Cooke (0-3), M Crowley (0-5), J Stokes (0-1), J O'Brien (0-1). Subs: N Mulvihill (1-0) for Horan; S Cronin (0-1) for Collins.

TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, M Lynagh, M Phelan; C Maher, M Peters, P Halley; K Mulryan, G Hannigan; D O'Brien, H Coughlan (0-2), B Hickey; P Austin (1-3), E Hanrahan, D Browne (0-6). Subs: S Maloney for Halley; B Coen for Austin.

Referee: J Lynch (Kerry).

UL 1-11 Clare 0-8 -Páidí Ó Sé's reign as Clare football manager got off to a losing start at a blustery Miltown Malbay yesterday.

"It was not a great start, but you must remember that we did not have a lot of work done, in fact, today was our first day together," said Ó Sé afterwards.

SCORERS: Clare - F O'Dea, E Coughlan, M O'Shea 0-2 each; D Molohan, P Downes 0-1 each. UL - J Buckley 0-6, five frees; C Keane 1-2; A O'Sullivan, L Doyle, C Dillon 0-1 each.

Cork 3-10 CIT 1-9- Two early goals paved the way for Cork to win their first competitive outing of the year at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Donncha O'Connor smashed in a penalty and then James Masters set up Ger Spillane for a fine goal to leave the score 2-3 to 0-2 after the first quarter. When Kevin O'Sullivan finished a move to the net with his first touch in the second half, the contest was over.

SCORERS: Cork - D O'Connor 1-3, 1-0 from penalty, 0-2 from frees; K O'Sullivan 1-1; G Spillane 1-0; J Masters 0-3, two frees; A Cronin, G McCarthy, D Hurley 0-1 each. CIT - B Sheehan 0-3, two frees, one 45; R Leahy 1-0; D Goulding (one free), P Kerrigan 0-2 each; C Callanan, B Twomey 0-1 each.

UCC 5-9 WIT 0-7 -A brace of goals from Brendan Jer O'Sullivan and Paul O'Connor, along with one from John Hayes, saw the Cork side cruise to the semi-finals of the McGrath Cup at Dungarvan yesterday.

SCORERS: UCC - KJ O'Sullivan, P P'Connor 2-2 each; J Hayes 1-1; D Kearney, J Gould, B Mulvihill, M O'Donoghue 0-1 each. WIT: PJ Banville 0-4; B Queeny 0-3.