CORK and Clare have set up a repeat of last year's Munster Senior Hurling Championship final, while Galway came through a testing examination against Roscommon this afternoon to wrestle the Connacht title back from the Rossies.
Cork knew that a win against the Deise would see them through to the decider, but were put to the pin of their collars to advance. Seamus Harnedy crashed in a late goal in an entertaining game that ended; Cork 1-23 Waterford 1-20.
Clare had a much more comfortable time of it against their neighbours, as they led from start to finish at a feverish Cusack Park, Ennis. Peter Duggan fired over 11 dead balls, and 0-13 in all for the Banner, while Tony Kelly contributed 0-5, including one ‘65’ and John Conlon hit 0-4 in an authoritative display which finished; Clare 0-26 Limerick 0-15.
There were straight red cards for Limerick substitute Tom Condon and Clare's David Reidy as half-time approached.
At Hyde Park, the Tribesmen, with Shane Walsh (0-8, 5f) on fire, joined Mayo at the top of the provincial roll of honour by claiming their 46th Connacht title. At the interval, a Galway win did not seem likely as the home side, aided by a Ciaráin Murtagh goal, led by three points.
But on the resumption, Galway hit six points in a row and were in front for the first time by the 58th minute. Conor Devaney’s penalty put Roscommon back in the lead with six minutes to go, before the visitors kicked the last five points to coast home on a score line of; Roscommon 2-6 Galway 0-16.
