Limerick manager John Kiely was thrilled after his side ended Clare's three-year reign as Munster and All-Ireland U21 hurling champions last night.

Ronan Lynch hit 13 points as the Treaty men wrestled the provincial title from their neighbours' hold at a packed Cusack Park to set up an All-Ireland semi-final date with Galway on August 22.

"Silverware is scarce and hard to get. You have got to be at your best every night you go out," Kiely said.

"We brought it to the table. They are a fantastic bunch of lads. They are so full of heart. That was a special victory. Coming down here we knew we were going to be put to the pin of our collar."

Kiely felt the half-time switch of forwards Tom Morrissey and Ronan Lynch was crucial to the outcome.

"We were after playing with the breeze and were two points down. We made one swap at half-time. Tom Morrissey came out to the half forward line and Ronan Lynch went inside. That was an important move. Tom got going outside and Ronan got going inside.

"Ronan is a great young lad. He is the first to training every night, he is the first on the field for half-an-hour beforehand taking frees. Against the breeze in the second half, just like the last day against Tipperary, it suited us.

"We played the ball through the hand. We drew frees. We rose to the game, rose to the occasion."

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