Clare pulled off a fantastic performance to retain their Munster title in a thrilling Munster U21 Hurling Final at Semple Stadium on Wednesday evening. There was large turnout at Thurles, due in part to the fine weather, and the gathered crowd saw an imperious Clare barrel to victory over their near neighbours and rivals Tipperary. Jason Forde put in an exhibition of free-taking to keep the Premier County in touch, but they were no match for the Bannerman in truth. Late goals from star man Forde, including a bullet of a penalty, reduced the final deficit, but Clare never looked in danger of losing at any stage, and with a host of players from the senior panel in their ranks, they closed out the game in some style. Cathal O'Connell pointed six frees from a total of 8 points, and Cunningham, Galvin, and Tony Kelly also grabbed a brace each to see them over the line. Clare led by 6 points at half-time, and extended the lead to 8 points, before a goal with 15 minutes to play from the impressive Forde reduced the deficit. However, Clare reacted immediately to re-extend their advantage, and despite half-back Seadna Murphy's sending-off for a second booking late on, the win never looked in doubt
Clare: Ronan Taaffe (Tubber); Paul Flanagan (Ballyea); David McInerney (Tulla); Jack Browne (Ballyea); Seadna Murphy (Sixmilebridge), Alan ONeill (St. Josephs Doora- Barefield); Stephen OHalloran (Clarecastle); Colm Galvin (Clonlara); Tony Kelly (Ballyea); Peter Duggan (Clooney Quin); Padraic Collins (Cratloe); Aaron Cunningham (Wolfetones); Shane ODonnell (Eire Og); David OHalloran (Eire Og); Cathal OConnell (Clonlara).
Scorers (7): C OConnell 0-8 (6f), Peter Duggan 1-0, Colm Galvin 0-2, Aaron Cunningham 0-2, Tony Kelly 0-2, Pádraic Collins 0-2, Shane ODonnell 0-1
Tipperary: Darragh Mooney (Eire Og Annacarty); Cathal Barrett (Holycross Ballycahill); Michael Breen (Ballina); Andrew Ryan (Toomevara); Joe ODwyer (Killenaule); Tomás Hamill (Killea); Seamus Kennedy (St. Marys Clonmel); Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons); Justin Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Tommy Heffernan (Eire Og Nenagh); Jason Forde (Silvermines); Niall OMeara (Kilruane McDonaghs); Aidan McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields); Bill Walsh (Carrick Swan); Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).
Scorers (3): Jason Forde 2-7 (1 pen, 7f), L McGrath 0-2, B OMeara 0-1