Tipperary snatch late win against Clare in Munster U-20 championship

The home side appeared set for a place in Phase 2 of the new format when a fortuitous goal from corner-back Aaron Kelly just after the break helped Michael Neylon’s side to a four-point lead entering the final quarter at 1-6 to 0-5.

However, with their fate slipping from their grasp, a never-say-die Tipperary sparked into life in the 50th minute when the talismanic Orrin Jones emphatically finished a flowing back-to-front counter-attack to the roof of Cian Corry’s net.

Indeed, the clinical Jones took his handsome tally to 1-4 when earning and converting the levelling free three minutes later before a momentum-fuelled Tipperary finished matters in injury time.

A 45 from goalkeeper Robbie McGrath powered the visitors into the ascendency for the first time in the 61st minute before midfielder Joe Higgins cemented his side’s first win.

It was cruel on Clare, who had managed to set the pace for the first hour but ultimately the Banner will rue seven first-half wides when aided by a strong gale, with only late points from Eanna Rouine and Daire Culligan providing some solace by the break at 0-4 to 0-2.

It didn’t seem enough against such a storm but Kelly’s goal on the restart after his shot for a point dipped into the top corner of the net provided a renewed impetus for the hosts.

They failed to curb the free-flowing Jones though, with the Arravale Rovers star putting Tipperary into the driving seat for their final round showdown with Waterford next Saturday while it’s also winners-takes-all between Limerick and Clare in Ballyagran.

Scorers - Tipperary: O Jones 1-4 (1f); M Freaney, C Grogan (f), R McGrath (’45), J Higgins 0-1 each

Scorers - Clare: A Kelly 1-0; D Culligan (1f), E Rouine 0-2 each; S McMahon, D Keane (f) 0-1 each

Tipperary: R McGrath; S O’Meara, E O’Connell, M Corcoran, T Charles, J O’Neill, C King; J Higgins, E Doocey; M Freaney, J Lawrence, B Carey; C Grogan, O Jones, D McVicker

Subs: K Butler for Carey (40), C Smith for McVicker (40), D Hogan for Lawrence (47), P O’Keeffe for Grogan (58)

Clare: C Corry; A Kelly, S McAllister, C Kearney; J Moloney, O Cunningham, L Pyne; J Vaughan, E Rouine; C Gavin, S Neylon, D Keane; C Fennell, D Culligan, S McMahon

Subs: T Curran for Neylon (7, inj), P O’Dwyer for Fennell (HT), C Talty for Gavin (43), E Cahill for Pyne (55)

Referee: D O’Callaghan (Limerick