Another Tipperary underage team reach All-Ireland final after big win over Clare in Templemore

Celtic Challenge - Division 1 Semi-Final

Tipperary Blue 3-22

Clare Gold 0-14

Tipperary Blue selection powered their way past Clare Gold in the Celtic Challenge All-Ireland minor hurling championship at Templemore on Saturday to set up a clash with Kilkenny in the final.

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This competition focuses on development squad players who do not make the county minor teams, and Tipperary had two sides in action, with the Blues getting past Wexford in the quarter-final before their landslide win over Clare Gold. Kilkenny were surprise winners over Galway in the second semi-final, also on Saturday.

Clare came with impressive credentials and high ambitions, but they were never allowed to settle into their stride by a close-marking Tipp defence that ensured Tipp goalie Cathal Ryan had a trouble-free afternoon.

Seven first-half wides did not help the Clare cause either. At the other end, Tipperary always looked dangerous and, from the time they got their first goal after twenty minutes, it was hard to see them being beaten.

Tipperary, with Morgan O’Connor a key figure in attack, took control early on and were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead when Charlie Lawlor bagged their first goal after twenty minutes. Tipp’s attacking options were superior to their opponents and Kevin Grace, Eoin Kennedy, Luke Murphy and Noah Power also got on the scoresheet as the Tipp lads established a 1-11 to 0-6 lead by half-time.

When Tipp resumed with three points in five minutes from O’Connor (2) and Power, Clare heads began to drop. O’Connor crowned a man-of-the-match performance with a goal after seven minutes, the ball falling kindly to him from a free that fell short. Eoin Kennedy got the third goal from a delivery by Charlie Cairns for a 3-18 to 0-10 lead for Tipp at the three-quarter stage.

With the place in the final decided beyond any doubt, the game became scrappy, the Tipp mentors availing of the opportunity to use their bench with a raft of substitutes. The focus now switches to the engagement with Kilkenny, this success a further endorsement of the work being done in the Premier County at under-age level, which is reflected in the performances at minor and under-20 grades.

Cappawhite’s Morgan O’Connor was Tipperary’s top performer, his accuracy from frees and strength in winning possession a huge asset to his colleagues. Luke Murphy at number six was also a key figure and the performances of Owen Kennedy, Charlie Cairns, James Heffernan, Charlie Lawlor and Alan Burke also contributed to Tipperary’s dominance.

Clare came with high hopes and, while they battled gamely throughout, they did not have the finishing power of their rivals. Hugh Vaughan was their main threat in attack, with Ollie Sherlock, Steven Clancy and Barry Murphy others to work hard for the Clare cause.

Scorers: Tipperary Blue: Morgan O’Connor (1-8, 0-5f), Eoin Kennedy 1-4, Charlie Lawlor 1-2, Noah Power, Kevin Grace 0-2 each, Luke Murphy, Stephen O’Brien, Aaron Lane, James Heffernan all 0-1 each.

Clare Gold: H Vaughan (0-7, 0-5f), Ollie Sherlock 0-2f, Stephen Clancy 0-2 each, David Buckley, Shane Dilleen, Evan Cusack all 0-1 each.

Tipperary Blue: Cathal Ryan; Aaron Lane, Jack R Walsh, Ruairi Hakett; Charlie Cairns, Luke Murphy, Owen Fanning; Stephen O Brien, James Heffernan; Morgan O’Connor, Owen Kennedy, Alan Burke; Charlie Lawlor, Kevin Grace, Noah Power.

Subs used: Sean Lamphier, Daniel McDonnell, Ultan O'Donoghue, Charlie Carroll, Shane O’Mahoney.

Clare Gold: Sean O'Gorman; Dillon McInerney, Fergal Queally, Patrick O’Looney; Stephen Clancy, Barry Murphy, Louis O’Dwyer; Evan Cusack, Owen McCarthy; Grady Hogan, Ollie Sherlock, Shane Dilleen; David Buckley, Hugh Vaughan, Donagh Walsh Forde.

Referee: Kieran Guinea (Limerick)