Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-16:The lost boys of Limerick hurling are coming back into the sun. Six long years have passed since they have made any kind of impression in Croke Park and there were several summers in between when Limerick was declared the sick man of Europe.

So yesterday's performance against a brave if blunted Clare team was such a pleasing sight for all Limerick hurling people that manager Richie Bennis had to make his way down from his allotted place in the stand to enjoy it properly.

Thirty-four long years have passed since Bennis banged over the long-range free that sent Limerick on their way to an All-Ireland. Delighted as he was yesterday, he admitted the old eyes weren't what they used to be and abandoned the nose-bleed seat reserved for his sideline suspension. He saw Limerick run rampant early in the second half, then stall dangerously and finally claim a semi-final place in ebullient fashion.

It is their first time to reach the last four since 1996.

They led Clare from the first minute and several exchanges in an unexpectedly loose opening half certified Limerick's reputation as a fresh, rising force. Andrew O'Shaughnessy set the tone with a dancing, irrepressible first 15 minutes, scoring seven points in the first half. And although Gerry Quinn kept him quiet for much of the second half, the Kilmallock shooter was prominent when the game needed to be closed out.

Limerick's half-back line was masterful in stages. Brian Geary settled into the match in that stately, unruffled way of his so impressively Clare had to move their wonderful veteran Colin Lynch to try to curb his influence. Mark Foley delivered some perfectly measured, diagonal balls setting up O'Shaughnessy and the livewire substitute Donie Ryan for a feast of scoring.

However, Limerick coughed up six points from play to the impressive Clare wing forwards, Declan O'Rourke and Jonathan Clancy. Such was the stranglehold of the Limerick full-back line Clare were constantly scrapping for scores. Damien Reale had another impressive game and in the left corner, Séamus Hickey played with exuberant confidence.

Limerick's attacking game was directed at the imposing figure of full forward Brian Begley. The Mungret man had a colossal tussle with Frank Lohan and although he finished scoreless, he caused enough problems and had the crucial touch that led to Donie Ryan's close-range goal on 40 minutes.

Ryan rewarded the selectors' decision to introduce him on 27 minutes and the 1-4 the Limerick bench provided was the difference. James O'Brien landed a hugely important point from the left wing on 61 minutes during Clare's last rally and Barry Foley snapped a late score to remind everyone of his stick craft. Clare simply did not have those options.

It was a bittersweet end to a turbulent year for Tony Considine. Clare hurled with plenty of heart. Lynch managed to wring another mammoth performance out of his Rolls Royce engine. It was Lynch who delivered the point on 39 minutes when Clare looked in danger of disappearing after Ryan celebrated his goal by adding one of those adrenaline points. Lynch's score left Clare trailing at 1-12 to 0-9, just enough to keep the warrior spirit alive.

There was plenty to admire about Clare. Brendan Bugler had a strong game and produced two epic points from play which were like a homage to the last man to wear the number six jersey.

Gerry Quinn played at centre back after passing a late fitness test. Diarmuid McMahon had a storming 20 minutes in the second half and after setting up Daithi O'Connell for a fine goal chance that Limerick goalkeeper Brian Murray saved, he brought the game alive by firing a wonderful individual goal on 53 minutes. Two minutes later, Lynch came thundering forward, flooring Mike O'Brien and winning a free in the process. Niall Gilligan converted the free.

This was Clare's moment. It was a crucial test of Limerick's mental strength and if the ghosts of the past five years are still grit in the backs of their minds, this was their moment to crack.

Clare contributed to their own demise, failing to build on that momentum and hitting several terrible wides. But Limerick did not falter and they closed the match out in the last 10 minutes.

They will have to wait a further week before they know their semi-final opponents. Such was the excitement in the Waterford and Cork duel this curtain-raiser seemed somehow innocent and lighter in comparison.

Limerick will enter their semi-final as rank outsiders. But who can tell the potency of this championship win on a generation of players who went from having the world at their feet to early senior careers of despondency.

LIMERICK: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, S Hickey; M O'Riordan, B Geary, M Foley; D O'Grady (0-1), M O'Brien; M Fitzgerald (0-4), O Moran (0-1); N Moran; A O'Shaughnessy (0-11, six frees), B Begley, K Tobin (0-2). Subs: D Ryan (1-2) for N Moran (27 mins), J O'Brien (0-1) for K Tobin (48 mins), B Foley (0-1) for M Fitzgerald (56 mins inj.), P Lawlor for M O'Brien (67 mins).

CLARE: P Brennan; G O'Grady, F Lohan; K Dilleen; B Bugler (0-2), G Quinn, A Markham; B O'Connell, C Lynch (0-2); D O'Rourke (0-3), D McMahon (1-1), J Clancy (0-3); N Gilligan (0-5, four frees, one 65), B Nugent, B Gaffney. Subs: D O'Connell for B Gaffney (half-time), F Lynch for B Nugent (43 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Limerick: M O'Brien (46 mins); Clare: None.

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).