Tipp defeat Clare in Cork
Tipperary 1-18, Clare 2-13 (full-time)
All-Ireland champions Tipperary fought like lions to stave off the challenge of an extemely hungry Clare side in the Guinness Munster Championship first round tie at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Tipperary, playing wind-assisted in the first-half, led by 1-08 to 1-05 with All-Star corner-forward grabbing 1-04 of their total.
The goal came in the 22nd minute - Kelly finishing brilliantly after a long delivery from midfielder Noel Morris.
Clare stormed back though and a David Forde goal four minutes later brought them into contention.
The Bannermen managed nine wides in the first-half, many of them from scoreable positions.
The second-half was a dogged affair and both sides went hell for leather for victory.
Tipp managed to keep their noses in front all the way until the 32nd minute, when David Forde popped up again to blast his second goal for Clare.
However, Tipp battled back again and responded to the challenge with points from the Dunne brothers - Tommy and Benny - sealing victory for them.
Tipperary now face Limerick in a repeat of last year's Munster final in two weeks at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, while Clare go into the qualifiers.
