Waterford bridged a 51-year gap at Semple Stadium, Thurles last evening when the junior footballers overcame Clare in an intensely exciting Munster final.

While no one will begrudge Waterford their win, Clare had ample opportunity to triumph and shot a total of 13 wides to Waterford's three. Waterford led 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.

WATERFORD: A Kirwan; D Ryan, R Power, M Byrne; N Geary, P Walsh, A Reynolds; S Bergin, C O'Keeffe; C Power (0-3), K Walsh, D Whelan; P P Ferncombe (0-6), J Kiely, D Wyse. Subs: A Power for Reynolds, P Queally for K Walsh, G Walsh for O'Keeffe.

CLARE: K Walsh; G O'Leary, D Coughlan, N O'Grady; K O'Neill (0-1), N Griffin, D Marrinan; P Rouine, N Kennedy; B O'Donnell, M Carmody, G Quinlan; R Slattery (0-1), C Clancy (0-1), B Shanahan (0-2). Subs: D Russell (0-1) for Quinlan, D Keane (0-1) for O'Donnell and M Sheedy for Carmody.