GAA Round-up
Tipperary beat arch rivals Clare by a single point in this afternoon’s Munster Hurling semi-final at Pairc Ui Caoimh.
Three crucial points from Paul Kelly, Declan Ryan and Brian O’Meara put Tipperary in the driving seat after both sides had been locked at eleven points each as late at the 59th minute.
Clare fought back hard in the closing ten minutes. Jamesie O’Connor added two points to keep Clare in touch but Tipperary sharp shooter Eoin Kelly - scorer of seven points - was on hand to maintain the advantage.
Clare will rue the lack of opportunism in their attack as only O’Connor and David Forde registered scores.Tipperary, however, had five forwards on the score sheet.
Tipperary manager Nciky English must now prepare his team for a Munster final showdown with either Limerick or Waterford who play next Sunday.
Two goals in the first half set Roscommon on their way to a memorable victory over Galway in the Connacht semi-final at Tuam.
Nigel Dineen was the first to rattle the net after his 13th minute strike.Then, at the end of the first half Frankie Dolan was on the mark to give John Tobin’s side a 2-04 to 0-8 advantage at the break.
Galway found their feet in the second half when Kieran Comer, Joe Bergin and Padraig Joyce reduced Roscommon’s lead with early scores. Alan Keirns, Michael Donnellan and Tommy Joyce added further points.
However when substitute Stephen Lohan took to the field to replace the injured Dolan the game took a significant turn.Lohan slotted over three comfortable points to put the game out of reach and condemn Galway to a place in the All-Ireland qualifying series.
Meath’s never say die attitude carried them through to a Leinster semi-final meeting with Kildare after a hard fought one point (2-12 to 1-14) victory over neighbours Westmeath at Croke Park.
After twelve minutes Westmeath had raced to a 1-04 to 0-0 lead thanks to Ger Heavin’s well taken goal after 28 seconds.Heavin and Fergal Wilson extended Westmeath’s lead before Graham Geraghty and Trevor Giles pegged back the difference with a couple of points.
Geraghty’s punched goal in the dying moments of an enthralling first half bridged the gap to 2 points at the break.Westmeath led 1-07 to 1-05.
After the break both teams exchanged points but Meath struggled to contain the free running Westmeath forwrads.Heavin and Michael Ennis took good points before Ollie Murphy changed the complexion of the game with a goal in the 57th minute.
Nigel Nestor then added a point to leave Sean Boylan’s team trailing by a single point.Substitute Ray Magee leveled the game with a superb point before Giles - scorer of six points - pointed a free to clinch victory.
Earlier at Croke Park, Kildare overcame a gritty Carlow team to advance to a semi-final meeting with Kildare.
Mick O’Dwyer’s team were far from convincing and will be without midfielder Willie McCreery for that semi-final after the Clane man was sent off for an off the ball incident.
Captain Glenn Ryan exited the pitch on a stretcher.It is believed he has damaged ligaments.
In the Ulster championship, Derry had little difficulty in beating Antrim 1-11 to 0-9 at Celtic Park.