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May 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm FBD Semple Stadium Thurles Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)

Competition:

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Description:

Clare defeated Tipperary by 1-25 to 0-17 in Round 4 of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday May 16th at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles.

Match Highlights

Munster SHC: Clare impress in Thurles
Clare 1-25 Tipp 0-17

Report By Stephen Barry at FBD Semple Stadium for GAA.ie

Tipperary’s Liam MacCarthy Cup defence looks all but over as Clare secured their All-Ireland series progression with a resounding 11-point thumping in front of 32,327 fans at FBD Semple Stadium.

Far from a fortress, it’s the fourth time in a row the Banner have emerged victorious from a trip to play Tipp in Thurles. Diarmuid Stritch (0-6) picked up the man-of-the-match award.

The midfielder was among three late changes which all worked to perfection, with outstanding veteran John Conlon and David McInerney stabilising Clare’s defensive spine.

The hosts ended with 14 men after Willie Connors picked up a second booking in the 51st minute, by which time nine points separated the sides.

The Premier’s only remaining hope is that Waterford get a result in Limerick. Otherwise, their elimination will be confirmed this weekend, rendering their Shannonside trip a dead-rubber from Tipp’s perspective.

Post-Match Interview with Clare Manager Brian Lohan

This meeting of the last two All-Ireland champions saw Clare take the wind in the first half. Tipp led 0-5 to 0-4 after 16 minutes, but the signs were pointing to Banner superiority.

They were held back by nine first-half wides and the efforts of Ronan Maher, who was Tipp’s most effective performer.

A couple of early hits saw Connors, David Fitzgerald, and Seán Rynne pick up yellow cards.

Tony Kelly collected points from a free and play as he was followed everywhere by Robert Doyle. Jason Forde had Tipp’s first two points, with the first from a sideline cut.

With four starting forwards held scoreless from play, Alan Tynan and Connors chipped in with points.

Clare outscored Tipp by 0-10 to 0-1 from the 20th to 35th minutes. Stritch knitted together three in a row, showing an intuitive understanding with Kelly.

Rhys Shelly saved from Peter Duggan as Clare played with advantage. When Ian Galvin was introduced for Mark Rodgers, he was a magnet for the ball. He assisted a Rynne point with his first touch and got off shots with his next three, but missed two. He ended with 1-2 and five wides. Cathal Malone completed Clare’s seven-in-a-row.

Rynne’s third from play pushed them eight up before Tipp were glad to finish with a pair of Darragh McCarthy frees for 0-14 to 0-8 at half-time. The 25-10 shot count emphasised Clare’s dominance.

The public address hadn’t had time to announce Tipp’s half-time change – Darragh Stakelum for Andrew Ormond – before Clare had the ball in the net. Galvin gobbled up the break from Ryan Taylor’s long ball and batted past the ‘keeper.

Tipp’s best chance of a revival came and went in the 41st minute. John McGrath’s groundstroke was brilliantly saved by Éibhear Quilligan and Oisín O’Donoghue’s rebound clanked off the near post and wide.

A McCarthy free and Jake Morris had briefly raised home hopes, but after that miss, Clare reeled off the next four points, including the first of two Duggan sideline cuts.

Morris and Eoghan Connolly made it 1-19 to 0-13 before Tipp were reduced to 14 men as Connors tangled with David Reidy off the ball. Clare added another four on the spin with Stritch and Galvin leading the way.

Ian Galvin of Clare shoots to score his side’s first goal during the Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 4 match between Tipperary and Clare at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Scorers for Clare: Diarmuid Stritch 0-6; Ian Galvin 1-2; Tony Kelly 0-5 (4f); Peter Duggan (2s/l, 1f), Seán Rynne 0-4 each; Cathal Malone 0-2; Niall O’Farrell, Ryan Taylor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 0-4; Eoghan Connolly (2f), Darragh McCarthy (3f), Jason Forde (1s/l) 0-3 each; Willie Connons, Alan Tynan, Conor Stakelum, Stefan Tobin 0-1 each.

Clare: Éibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, David McInerney, Darragh Lohan; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, Niall O’Farrell; Ryan Taylor, Diarmuid Stritch; Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly, Seán Rynne; Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: David Fitzgerald for Rodgers (8-13, temp), Ian Galvin for Rodgers (25, inj), David Reidy for Taylor (46, inj), Fitzgerald for Kelly (57, inj), Conor Cleary for Rynne (62), Shane Meehan for O’Donnell (65).

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Michael Breen, Bryan O’Mara, Ronan Maher; Eoghan Connolly, Robert Doyle, Craig Morgan; Willie Connors, Alan Tynan; Andrew Ormond, Jake Morris, Oisín O’Donoghue; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde.
Subs: Darragh Stakelum for Ormond (h-t), Conor Stakelum for Breen (42), Sam O’Farrell for Tynan (48), Stefan Tobin for McCarthy (51), Noel McGrath for Forde (57), Keith Ryan for O’Donoghue (66-f-t, temp).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

Team News

TIPPERARY (SHC v Clare): R. Shelly; R. Doyle, E. Connolly, M. Breen; C. Morgan, R. Maher, B. O’Mara; W. Connors, A. Tynan; J. Morris, A. Ormond, O. O’Donoghue; D. McCarthy, J. McGrath, J. Forde.
Subs: B. Hogan, S. Kennedy, B. McGrath, N. McGrath, S. O’Farrell, J. Ormond, J. Ryan, K. Ryan, C. Stakelum, D. Stakelum, S. Tobin.

CLARE (SHC v Tipperary): E. Quilligan; R. Hayes, C. Cleary, A. Hogan; D. Ryan, N. O’Farrell, C. Malone; D. Lohan, R. Taylor; S. O’Donnell, P. Duggan, S. Rynne; D. Reidy, M. Rodgers, T. Kelly (c).
Subs: E. Foudy, J. Conlon, S. Meehan, D. McInerney, C. Galvin, J. O’Neill, D. Stritch, J. Conneally, I. Galvin, C. Leen, D. Fitzgerald.

Match Coverage

This game will be streamed live on GAA+.

TIPPERARY v CLARE

Tipperary lost to Cork and drew with Waterford in their first two games; Clare beat Waterford and lost to Limerick.

Last Five Championship Meetings

  • 2025: Tipperary 4-18 Clare 2-21 (Munster round robin)
  • 2024: Clare 1-24 Tipperary 0-24 (Munster round robin)
  • 2023: Tipperary 5-22 Clare 3-23 (Munster round robin)
  • 2022: Clare 3-21 Tipperary 2-16 (Munster round robin)
  • 2021: Tipperary 3-23 Clare 2-22 (Munster semi-final)

This will be the 62nd championship meeting between the counties, with Tipperary having won 41 to Clare’s 16, with four draws in the previous 61.

  • It’s 12-4 in Tipperary’s favour in their sixteen championship clashes with Clare since 2000.
  • Clare conceded a total of 6-51 (69) against Waterford and Limerick; Tipperary conceded 3-53 (62) against Cork and Waterford.
  • Clare scored 3-51 (60); Tipperary hit 2-52 (58).

Garda Traffic Management Plan

A comprehensive Garda Traffic Management Plan will be in operation for the Munster Senior Hurling fixture, Tipperary v Clare on 16 April 2026 at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles (7:00pm). The event will be preceded by the Munster Camogie Final, Tipperary v Waterford at 4:45pm.

Significant traffic disruption is expected in Thurles and on all approach roads.

Travel Advice

Patrons are strongly advised to arrive in plenty of time and consider routes prior to travel.

Suggested routes include:

  • M8 – Cashel – Holycross – Thurles
  • M8 – Exit 6 (Horse and Jockey) – Thurles
  • M8 – Exit 5 (Twomileborris) – Thurles
  • M8 – Cahir – N24 to Tipperary – Dundrum – Holycross – Thurles
  • M7 – Moneygall – Dunkerrin – Templemore – Thurles
  • M7 – Roscrea – Templemore – Thurles

Nenagh – Borrisoleigh – Thurles (R498): Severe delays expected due to roadworks. Please use alternative routes.

Disability Parking

Disability parking passes for Semple Stadium are only available through GAA County Boards.

Car Parking

  • Thurles Sarsfields, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • Thurles Crokes, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • TUS College Thurles, Nenagh Road, E41 PC92
  • Thurles Greyhound Stadium, Castlemeadows, Thurles E41 YE09
  • Coláiste Mhuire School, Castlemeadows, Thurles E41 W678
  • Stevie’s Smees Field, Holycross Road
  • Durlas Óg Field, Abbey Road, Thurles
  • Stradavoher Industrial Estate, Thurles
  • Parnell Street Car Park, E41 V8X9
  • Liberty Square Car Park
  • Source Car Park, Thurles E41 A4E8
  • Kickham Street Car Park, Thurles
  • Thurles Mart, Ballycurrane, Thurles E41 V794
  • Thurles Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • JYSK Car Park, Abbey Road, Thurles E41 N520

After Game Traffic Management

Priority will be given to patrons exiting the stadium on foot after the games. Traffic congestion and delays are to be expected.

Illegally Parked Vehicles

Vehicles found illegally parked will be towed to the Garda Compound and will not be released until the statutory fee (€125.00) has been paid. A prosecution may also be initiated against the driver or owner.

Security

  • Secure and lock your vehicle at all times
  • Do not leave valuables on display
  • Use supervised car parks where possible
  • Beware of pickpockets and safeguard wallets, money and cards
  • Avoid bringing large sums of cash
  • Alcohol, air horns and vuvuzelas are not permitted in Semple Stadium

Reminder

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, follow Garda instructions, plan their journey in advance and allow extra time for both arrival and departure.

Venue:

  • FBD Semple Stadium Thurles