Clare hurling remains on a high after the county claimed its first Munster MHC title in 12 years and fifth in all at FBD Semple Stadium last evening.

Eoin Begley scored the only goal in the 35th minute as the Banner overcame Cork by 1-19 to 0-15 to put the bitter disappointment of last year's penalty shootout loss to Tipperary behind them. It was Clare's second victory over the Rebels in 24 hours, having also beaten them in the Munster U20HC semi-final at the same venue on Monday, and earns them an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with the losers of Friday's Leinster final between Galway and Kilkenny. Cork will face the Leinster champions.

Eoghan Gunning played a captain's part at full back for the winners who were never headed at any stage. With Marc O'Brien (Clare) and Barry Walsh (Cork) on song from frees, the sides were level before an O'Brien free sent Clare into the break with a slender 0-10 to 0-9 lead.

Clare took control after the restart when Begley fired home after O'Brien's initial shot was saved by Fionn Murphy. They pushed out their lead to eight points and held Cork scoreless for 16 minutes before Walsh converted two frees. But the Rebels couldn't get any closer than five points as Clare ended their run of four final defeats since their last success in 2011.

 

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