Tommy Larkins 1-11
Clonlara (Clare) 0-11

A late goal from Mickey Fahy was eventually enough to send Tommy Larkins through to an All-Ireland final after an excellent intermediate semi-final in Nenagh on Sunday.

Munster champions Clonlara matched Larkins for much of a tense contest, which hinged on two pivotal goalmouth incidents in the second half.

Just after the break, Tommy Lynch found the net for the Claremen but the umpires adjudged that the ball had gone over the end-line before Lynch converted.

And with just one point between the sides entering the closing stages, corner-forward Fahy whipped to the net eight minutes from time to give Larkins the breathing space they needed.

The opening half had been a nip-and-tuck affair with the sides turning over level despite Larkins enjoying a healthy wind advantage.

Larkin's Eamonn Hayes and Clonlara's John Conlon swapped frees, while Declan Garvey looked lively in the Larkins attack, snatching two fine points as well as forcing a superb point-blank save from Clonlara keeper Ger O'Connell.

Kevin Hooban added a brace of points for Larkins but Cormac O'Donovan rifled over two points of his own for Clonlara as there remained just the minimum between the sides deep into the second period.

Even after Fahy pounced for his goal, Clonlara stormed back with two further points to reduce the deficit again. But Larkins held on to make up for the disappointment of losing at this stage two years ago.

Tommy Larkins: D Starr, P Flynn, R Whyte, J Rohan, D Kelly, C Fahy, E Gorman, A Garvey 0-2 (0-1f), B McCormack, P Moroney, E Hayes 0-4f, K Hooban 0-2, D Garvey 0-2, N Kelly, M Fahy 1-1.
Sub: B Shiel for Moroney

Clonlara: G O'Connell, B Woods, J Moloney, P Collins, D O'Donovan, P Nihil, N O'Connell (0-1), C O'Donovan (0-2), D Conway, J Conlon (0-5f), T O'Donovan (0-1), P O'Hara, D Honan (0-1), W Slattery, T Lynch (0-1).
Subs: J Murphy for Slattery, A O'Connell for Lynch, B Moloney for Murphy

Referee: M McGann (Clare).

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