Clare overcome Waterford to book Munster Hurling Cup final berth

Clare's David Reidy runs past Billy Power of Waterford ©INPHO/Tom Maher

David Reidy struck for 0-9 and Shane Meehan contributed 1-3 off the bench as Clare moved into the Munster Hurling Cup final this afternoon with a 2-24 to 1-22 victory over Waterford in Ennis.

Brian Lohan’s men notched goals in key stages of this last four clash, with Mark Rodgers hitting the Waterford net eight minutes before half-time and Meehan doing likewise in the 61st minute.

Rodgers’ strike had been the difference between the sides at the halfway stage (1-10 to 0-10) and the Banner County would pour on points the third quarter through Reidy to lead by five come the second water break.

Leading the Deise charge in the second-half, Austin Gleeson hammered in a goal which made it a four-point game with 10 minutes to go.

Gleeson’s strike had come off a terrific move involving Michael Kiely and Patrick Curran but it was cancelled out in the next Clare attack which saw Meehan react quickest to a Shaun O’Brien save off Cathal Malone.

From there, Clare added three more points and could even afford a hat-trick of singles from Gleeson at the other end, as they moved into next Saturday’s final against either Limerick or Kerry.