Final score Tipperary 0-28 (28 pts) – Clare 3-16 (22 pts)
Current Liam MacCarthy Cup holders Tipperary recorded a 6 points win over Clare yesterday with a superb exhibition of open play point scoring from John McGrath, rightly declared “Man-of-the-Match”.
Tipperary were ahead by six points up to midway in the first half, but Clare refused to concede; fighting back to draw level, scoring two goals (6 pts).
Nevertheless, Tipperary were leading 0-16 to 2-5 (11 pts) at half-time, after out-scoring Clare by 5 points in the closing ten minutes.
Tipperary started the second half showing both character and determination, but despite their efforts, saw their two-goal margin cut away to just one point within minutes of the finish.
Holding their determination however Tipperary responded with a further five points, before Clare substitute Cathal Mcinerney rifled home a further late goal.
During the match, superb marksman John McGrath was on target, a magnificent six times, operating from open play, while Seamus Callanan struck home 4 points from open play and a further 3 from frees. Noel McGrath and John O’Dwyer each contributed 4 points, with Patrick Maher contributing 2 points, while M. Breen, S. Kennedy, B. Maher, S. O’Brien, and J. Forde all added one each.
Tipperary Team: D. Mooney; D Maher; T. Hamill; J. Barry; S. Kennedy; R. Maher; Padraig Maher; B. Maher; M. Breen; N. McGrath; Patrick Maher; D. McCormack; J. O’Dwyer; S. Callanan, and J. McGrath.
Substitutions: S. O’Brien for J. Barry; J. Forde for M. Breen; N. O’Meara for J. O’Dwyer, and S. O’Brien for S. Callanan.
UP TIPP.