LOHAN BEHOLD, WE MAY BE OUT OF RUNNING TO RETAIN CROWN

The Munster cauldron comes to the boil again as Tipperary victory leaves Brian's boys up against it

- BY STEPHEN BARRY

AFTER a titanic tussle in Ennis, Tipp's Championship future remains in their hands.

Clare's is not.

Brian Lohan's All-Ireland champions' title defence could be over before they take to the field for their final-round fixture against Limerick.

The outcomes of the Limerick-Cork and Tipp-Waterford games next week will determine that.

For the second time this season, Clare fought back from 12 points down on home soil to draw level.

Even though they couldn't see it out, the Banner boss was cheered by their resilience.

"It's been tough," said Lohan after the three-point defeat. "But it's been tough because of the injuries more than anything else. And we're asking a lot of guys to go out there and tough it out against really good quality opposition.

"We just came up a little bit short, but it was only a little bit. I wouldn't be that downbeat about it.

"We're still delighted with our crew. They showed a great bit of spirit and endeavour again."

Tipp set the foundations with four goals, shared between John McGrath (2-3) and Andrew Ormond (2-1), inside 23 minutes. Still, the Premier's 12-point cushion was wiped out with seven minutes remaining.