John O'Keeffe was full of praise for a Tipperary performance that had shocked his Clare charges. "We just didn't seem to have any answer to their running game in the second half. They showed a lot of power, pace and guile and they practically used every chance they got.

"They kicked only one wide in 70 minutes. How many teams would do that?

"They made superb use of possession. They have great finishers in Browne, Lambert and Cummins. Derry Foley got strong in the second half. The first five minutes of the second half was crucial. They took the game to us and got the vital scores. That was the killer. We were all set to put the pressure on them, to get the scores but it worked the other way round."

Tipperary manager Colm Browne was glad that his team had delivered

what he thought was an excellent team performance. "James Williams came on in the second half and he did the business as well," he smiled. "Maybe we could have won by more given that we got a little sloppy towards the end," he added.

Tipperary dual player Brendan Cummins said that the win atoned for the hurlers' defeat. "To be honest with you, we feel that we can beat Kerry or Cork in the Munster final. We went out for the second half determined to scotch the notion that we are always the ones to fall asleep early in the second half. We were set on being the ones to make a fast restart this time."

Tipperary's Derry Foley said it was easier to play against the wind. "You can gain greater control of the ball. The modern way of football is suited against rather than with the wind,"