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U20: Tipp and Cork win out in tight Munster battles

Peter McGarry banging home Tipp's critical goal against Waterford
Peter McGarry banging home Tipp's critical goal against Waterford

Cork and Tipperary both progressed to the EirGrid Munster U20 hurling semi-finals after hard-fought wins over Clare and Limerick respectively this evening.

In Sixmilebridge, reigning champions Cork eliminated the hosts from the championship thanks to a final quarter surge, notching seven of the final nine scores to win by 1-19 to 1-17.

With Munster split into two groups of three, Clare were tossed into a must-win encounter after a highly unfortunate one-point (3-07 to 0-15) point loss to Limerick last weekend.

The home side started impressively, leading 0-09 to 0-05. Cork began the second half brightly, Diarmuid Healy's 44th-minute goal nudging them in front for the first time. Shane Meehan's stunning individual goal restored Clare's lead and they held a three point advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

However, Cork came strong in the closing stretch. Points from the likes of Brian O'Sullivan, Ethan Twomey, Colin Walsh and a couple of frees from Eoin O'Leary enabled them to overhaul the deficit and secure their place in the Munster semi-final, along with Limerick from Group A.

In Group B in Munster, Brendan Cummins' Tipperary nailed down their place in the semi-finals with a second successive win, holding off Waterford to triumph by four in Semple Stadium.

Joe Booth of Waterford in action against Paddy Creedon, left, and Luke Shanahan of Tipperary

Kyle Shelly struck 1-11 in total, his goal early in the second half briefly allowing Tipperary some breathing space after a ferociously even first half.

Padraig Fitzgerald replied for the visitors to level the game at 1-13 apiece, the lead switching sides numerous times until Peter McGarry's 55th minute goal enabled the hosts to kick for home.

Tipp eventually ran out 2-21 to 1-20 winners, their second win of their U20 campaign after their 11-point win away to Kerry last week.

Waterford can confirm their place in the Munster semi-final in a winner-takes-all clash against Kerry in Walsh Park next Wednesday.

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