Cork came from behind to beat Clare in a closely-contested semi-final at Pairc Ui Rinn - 1-16 to 0-15.

Five unanswered points at the start of the second half finally broke the brave Banner's resolve as the Rebel County advanced to next Friday night's provincial final, wherein they will lock horns with rampant Kerry (30-point victors over Waterford in tonight's other semi-final).

Sean Hayes' charges led by the narrowest of margins at the end of an entertaining opening period, 1-7 to 0-9.

The Banner County - who had eight different scorers on a sunny night in Cork - made an excellent start and led by double scores at the midway stage in the first half, 0-6 to 0-3, Jonah Culligan and Dermot Coughlan (who speared nine points between them) catching the eye throughout.

The Rebels drew level in the 19^th minute thanks to a goal from top scorer Chris Og Jones (1-8) following good work from Tadhg Corkery and they hit the front for the first time four minutes later, 1-5 to 0-7, before the final four points of the opening period were shared, Iveleary clubman Jones' point closing the first-half scoring.

Substitute Colm Barrett (2) and Jones (3) gave the hosts a flying start to the second half. Clare never gave up and were unlucky when Tom Hannon's shot clipped the top of the crossbar. They finished with intent and hit the last three scores though Culligan, substitute Colm O'Brien and corner back Jack Sheedy, as well as being denied a goal by Ian Giltinan, but it's Cork who progress.

Cork - I Giltinan; K O'Donovan, B Murphy, N Walsh; L O'Donovan (0-1), A Browne, T Corkery; M Shanley, C O'Callaghan (0-1); S Walsh, C Maguire, C Og Jones (1-8, 0-3f); M Bradley (0-3, 1f), M Keane, D Gore. Subs: S O'Sullivan for T Corkery, M Buckley for M Shanley, C Barrett (0-2) for M Bradley, B Murphy (0-1) for C Maguire, A McCarthy for S Walsh, C Myers Murray for D Gore.

Clare - S Ryan; J Sheedy (0-1), J O'Sullivan, P Collins; M Meaney, I Ugweuru, T Hannon (0-1); D Bohannon (0-1), J Hannon; J Culligan (0-5), D Coughlan (0-4, 1f), S Crowley (0-1); R Phelan, J McGann (0-1), C Shannon. Subs: R O'Doherty for C Shannon, A Griffin for S Crowley, C McNelis for P Collins, N Ellis for J Hannon, C O'Brien (0-1) for R Phelan, J O'Connor for D Coughlan.

Referee - S Joy.

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