Limerick caused a shock in the Munster under-21 hurling championship when they defeated favourites Clare in a very disappointing semi-final at Cusack Park, Ennis last evening. The winners dominated in most positions on a night when Clare went three-quarters of an hour before getting their first score from play.

Limerick were four points to no score ahead after the first quarter and a further five minutes elapsed before Clare opened their account. However, Limerick responded immediately when Paul O'Grady raced through for the game's only goal and it helped his side to lead at half-time 1-5 to 0-3.

Clare stepped up a gear on the resumption, but they just could not break down a Limerick defence in which Brian Geary was outstanding.

Limerick: T Houlihan; D Reale, E Mulcahy, P Reale; P O'Neill, B Geary, W Walsh; M Keane (0-5), J Meskell; P O'Grady (1-2), S O'Connor, D Stapleton; D Sheehan (0-2), B Begley, S Mullane. Sub: S Lucey for Mullane.

Clare: G O'Connell; C Harrison, K Kennedy, B McMahon (Newmarket); C Forde (0-1), J Reddan, G Malone; S Fitzpatrick, G Quinn; T Griffin (0-1), T Carmody, R Hogan, C Earlie, A Quinn (0-6), B Cosgrove. Subs: B McMahon (Kilmaley, 0-1) for Hogan, B O'Donnell for O'Connell, P McKeogh for Carmody, W Kennedy for Cosgrove.

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).