Éire Óg, Ennis have capitalised on their first Clare senior hurling title in 35 years with a 2-20 to 1-16 Munster semi-final win over Loughmore-Castleiney after extra-time.
A game switched to Sixmilebridge after a burst pipe left Cusack Park in Ennis, the original venue, without water struggled to come to life in the opening stages but the second half ignited before Éire Óg powered on in the additional two periods of extra-time.
Danny Russell was their scoring hero with 1-14, 13 of which came from the 14 placed balls he stood over.
But it was resolute defence that really did it for Éire Óg as they resisted almost everything that the Tipperary champions threw at them.
For a long time in the second half it looked like the majesty of John McGrath, the newly crowned hurler of the year, would sway it for Loughmore-Castleiney. McGrath eventually finished the game with 0-12.
But they paid a price for their profligacy with 10 second half wides added to three in the first half and a further five shots that fell short throughout.
A Liam McGrath goal just before half-time gave Loughmore a 1-4 to 0-6 interval lead and with wind advantage to come it looked like they were in the driving seat.
But a goal from Russell, teed up by an improving Shane O’Donnell, gave the Ennis team initiative and a 1-9 to 1-6 lead.
Loughmore though looked like they had done enough when John McGrath turned neatly to give them a late lead before Russell cropped up for yet another huge conversion to force extra-time, 1-13 each, after David Reidy was fouled.
Reidy grew in influence in extra-time and set up the goal that sealed it for Darren Moroney who was back on the field after being taken off earlier in the game.
Éire Óg had a six-week wait for the game and are sure to improve ahead of their final against Ballygunner in two weeks’ time.
But some of their players will first have a Munster football semi-final against St Finbarr’s next weekend.