Toomevara are on course for a fourth Tipperary senior hurling title in a row following a comfortable win over Clonoulty-Rossmore in a low-key semi-final at Thurles yesterday.
Though not at their best, Toome always looked likely winners from the 24th minute when Francis Devaney netted the rebound of a Tommy Dunne free to put them 1-5 to 0-6 ahead.
Clonoulty-Rossmore battled back to be level at half-time (0-9 to 1-6) despite seeing a Declan Ryan penalty blaze over the bar.
Toomevara edged clear in the third quarter. Declan Ryan twice failed to net from penalty attempts for Clonoulty and in the 14th minute Michael Bevans got Toome's second goal after a Tony Delaney free.
The champions were seven points clear when Declan Ryan had a consolation goal a minute from time. Toome play Thurles Sarsfields in the final next week.
TOOMEVARA: J Cottrell; G Frend, R Brislane, P Shanahan; B Duff, T Delaney, B Dunne; Terry Dunne, E Brislane (0-1); K Dunne (0-4), T Dunne (0-3), P McGrath; M Bevans (1-2), J O'Brien (0-3), F Devaney (1-1). Sub: K Hall for Devaney
CLONOULTY-ROSSMORE: A Fryday; J Heffernan, J Devane, M Ryan; M Heffernan (0-1), A Butler (0-1), D Kennedy; K Lanigan-Ryan, K Ryan; M Quirke (0-1), D Quirke (0-4), M Brennan (0-1); A Kennedy, D Ryan (1-4), T Butler.
Referee: W Barrett (Ballybacon).
Waterford hurlers got off to a winning start under new manager Justin McCarthy at Walsh Park yesterday when they beat Clare by 1-13 to 2-9. But with half their regulars on show in this Waterford Crystal league tie, they just managed to beat a Clare team with none of theirs. Waterford led by 1-9 to 0-5 at the inteval.
