Clare eased to a 2-11 to 0-3 victory over Waterford at Milltown Malbay tonight to set up a semi-final date with Tipperary.

Jamie Malone netted in either half for the winners, who are now just an hour away from a provincial final meeting with either Cork or Kerry.

The defining score of the first half arrived in the 24th minute when Malone had the easiest of tasks in palming to the net after great approach play from Martin O'Leary. That score made it 1-3 to 0-1 and the winners went on to lead by 1-4 to 0-2 at the interval.

Keelan Sexton (free) clipped over the opening point in the third minute and Eimhin Courtney's follow-up score ensured that the hosts led by two after ten minutes.

Sexton added his second converted free two minutes later and Na Deise didn't bag their first score of the night until the 21st minute, courtesy of Jason Gleeson. Back came the Banner with that first Malone goal before Courtney and Conor Murray swapped points. Clare led by five at the short whistle…

Malone bagged his second goal - a brilliant individual effort - three minutes after the restart and Sexton pointed either side of that sublime finish. Malone took his tally for the night to 2-1 and further Clare points from Sexton and Courtney had the gap at 13 points after 40 minutes, 2-9 to 0-2.

With the match over as any sort of contest, substitute Conor Cleary notched the next Clare point and Waterford's third of the night - and first of the second half - was provided by Seamus Keating on 50 minutes.

Paddy O'Malley pointed a Clare free three minutes from the end as the cruising hosts easily sealed a semi-final meeting with Tipp in Thurles next Wednesday.

Clare - K Normoyle; C O'Mahoney, J O'Dea, C Brennan; D Nagle, C O'Brien, C O'Dea; D Walsh, J Malone (2-1); L Corry, P O'Malley (0-1f), D Masterson; M O'Leary, K Sexton (0-6, 3f), E Courtney (0-2). Subs: E Hanrahan for D Walsh, M Byrne for L Corry, C Cleary (0-1) for D Masterson, C McNelis for C O'Dea, J Downes for K Sexton, E O'Connor for J Malone.

Waterford - D Whitty; S Dalton, C Walsh, J De Barun; J Mullaney, T Devine, J Fenton; D Ryan, S Keating (0-1); M Curry, F O Cuirrin, J Curry; C Murray (0-1), J Gleeson (0-1), C Gleeson. Subs: L Mulligan for J Fenton, P O'Connor for J Curry, B Looby for J Mullaney (BC), C McGuire for J Gleeson, M Troy for F O Cuirrin, K Brazil for C Murray.

Referee - K Murphy.

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