Declan Browne showed true class when he came on to score the winning point for Moyle Rovers in the closing stages of their gripping clash with The Nire at Ardfinnan yesterday.

The teams were tied 2-1 to 0-7 in injury-time when Browne, with his third touch of the ball, calmly grabbed the winner to set the Tipperary county champions up for a semi-final showdown with the Kerry titleholders on November 19th.

Played in atrocious conditions, The Nire were first to score when Connie Power pointed a free after 11 minutes, but Moyle Rovers stormed back with a fisted goal from Niall Fitzgerald. Connie Power tied the scoring just before half-time with another pointed free.

The Waterford side got the second-half scoring under way with Connie Power's fourth point, but Moyle Rovers were back on top when Derry Foley had their second fisted goal after 34 minutes.

A John Owens point put Rovers ahead, but The Nire fought back with points from Martin Walsh, Pat Walsh and Connie Power to leave the sides tied 1-4 to 0-7 with eight minutes left.

Declan Browne then joined the action and landed the winner in injury-time.

MOYLE ROVERS: S Delahunty; N Wall, P Norris, L Cronin; R Boland, M McGrath, K O'Connor; J Owens (0-1), J Dunne; J McGrath, Derry Foley (1-0), N Fitzgerald (1-0); J Shanahan, J Williams, D Foley. Subs: P Foley for J Dunne, J McCarthy for P Norris, D Browne (0-1) for J McGrath.

THE NIRE: M Doocey; D Ryan, T Walsh, JJ Wall; I Walsh, M Byrne, J Moore; P Walsh, B Wall; C Power (0-5), G Walsh, M Walsh (0-1); A Ryan, P Walsh (0-1), S Walsh.

Referee: J Geaney (Cork).