Second half goals from Ken Dunne and Willie Ryan helped Tipperary champions Toomevara to defeat Cork's Na Piarsaigh 2-13 to 0-13 in their Munster Club Hurling semi-final at Semple Stadium.
Ger Shaw, a substitute in Na Piarsaigh's county final win over Cloyne last Sunday, grabbed seven of their eleven first half points but a poor second half return of two left them defeated.
Minus the forward talent of the younger Ó hAilpíns - Aisake and Setanta - the north Cork side nevertheless put up stiff opposition and were 0-6 to 0-3 in front after 15 minutes.
Scores from Christy Connery and Shaw (0-3), along with a brilliant 65-metre effort from John Gardiner on 4 minutes saw them hit the front.
The seven-time Tipp champions never lay down though and, with Michael Bevans, Ken and Tommy Dunne, Francis Devaney and skipper Paddy O'Brien (0-2) all finding their range, they were 0-11 to 0-7 in front at the break.
The Premier men then hit 2-3 without reply on the restart as first Bevans struck his second point after just 49 seconds.
Then midfielder Eoin Brislane's through ball was brilliantly finished to the Cork side's net by Ken Dunne, who tagged on a quick free. An excellent ground 20-metre ground shot from Ryan saw Toomevara net a second, and with that the Munster race lost the Cork challengers.
GPA Hurler of the year Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was also forced off with a late facial injury and corner forward O'Brien claimed Toomevara's final point in injury time.
Afterwards two-time All-Star Tommy Dunne said: “It was a tough struggle, but we made it through on a goodish second half performance.”
“We expected Na Piarsaigh would put it up to us and they did. Cork teams coming up to Thurles never lay down easy and we're pleased to have come through,” he added.
