TIPPERARY 0-12 CLARE 0-8

LIMERICK 1-8 WATERFORD 0-5

A third consecutive win stamped Tipperary’s ticket to the Munster MFC knockout stage, with Limerick also advancing to join Cork and Kerry.

The Premier kicked three late points to eliminate Clare from the competition at FBD Semple Stadium, with Mark Neville, Louis Coughlan, and Liam Freaney landing those knockout blows.

As it transpired, a win would have seen the visitors join Tipp in the ‘phase 1 final’ but their comeback ran out of steam.

Tipp’s defence was at its mean best in the first half, led by the ball-regaining abilities of Cillian Ryan and Billy Tierney as they allowed just three points.

Midfielders Michael O’Reilly and Seán Lewis were directing their attack, with Freaney (two frees), Ronan O’Brien, Jamie O’Keeffe, Shane Ryan, Joey Quinn, and Billy Tierney (free) all profiting.

Daire Culligan top-scored with 0-4 and he was key to the Clare effort. His backheel kept play alive for Evan Cahill’s opening point and he won and converted two further frees to leave it 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

Clare pressed the Tipp kick-out and upped the tempo of their attacks as they cut the deficit to one in the third quarter. Ben Skerritt, Kevin Marrinan, Gearóid Barry, and Culligan reeled off points, with Coughlan providing the only reply.

Lewis was sin-binned for a trip but Tipp would win the black-card period 0-2 to 0-1. The hosts almost had a goal too, Eoin Byrne saving from Michael Connellan before Quinn tapped over the rebound.

Culligan had what transpired to be Clare’s final point in the 53rd minute before Neville’s monster score made it 0-10 to 0-8 as Lewis returned.

O’Brien was also black-carded in stoppage time but by then, Tipp had weathered the storm.

They will now face Limerick in a fortnight’s time, with that result determining which team is to meet Cork or Kerry in either semi-final.

Limerick held up their end of the bargain with a 1-8 to 0-5 victory over Waterford at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

They secured their second win from three with a front-running performance, leading 0-4 to 0-1 at the break.

Colm Sullivan (0-3) was keeping Waterford in it but a 53rd-minute goal from Limerick captain Evan Curry (1-3) put the result beyond doubt.