Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 2-15

Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 0-17

Na Piarsaigh will take on Ballygunner in next Sunday's Munster club hurling final at Semple Stadium after second half goals from Peter Casey and David Dempsey gave them the edge over Thurles Sarsfields at the Gaelic Grounds.

This semi-final, which was postponed by a week following the tragic death of Thurles selector Jack Griffin, was level with nine minutes remaining. However, the Limerick champions finished strongly with Cathal King's lead point being followed by the insurance goal from Dempsey.

With Aidan McCormack, Stephen Cahill, Pa Bourke and Lar Corbett all finding the target, the visitors led by 0-12 to 0-9 at the break.

Points from Kevin Downes and Kevin Ryan had narrowed the gap before Downes teed up Casey for the opening goal, which propelled Na Piarsaigh into a 1-11 to 0-13 lead after 38 minutes.

Dempsey extended their advantage before Bourke's seventh point and another score from Billy McCarthy restored parity for Sarsfields.

But the Limerick city side weren't to be denied as King restored their lead with a superb point before Dempsey rattled the net five minutes from the end.

Na Piarsaigh - P Kennedy; K Breen, M Casey, K Kennedy; M Foley, R Lynch, C King (0-1); A Dempsey (0-2), W O'Donoghue; S Dowling (0-7f), D Dempsey (1-1), K Ryan (0-2); K Downes (0-1), P Casey (1-1), A Breen. Sub: P Gleeson for M Foley.

Thurles Sarsfields - P McCormack; M Cahill, S Maher, David Maher; D Kennedy, P Maher, R Maher; S Cahill (0-2), J Maher (0-1); Denis Maher, A McCormack (0-3), B McCarthy (0-1); L Corbett (0-1), C Lanigan (0-1), P Bourke (0-8, 5f, 1'65). Subs: S Lillis for D Kennedy, R Ruth for C Lanigan.

Referee - D Kirwan.

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