Derry went top of Division 1B yesterday when they overcame Clare at a very wet Celtic Park. In a game which was fortunate to get the go-ahead, Derry maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign.

In atrocious conditions, neither side adapted to the difficult playing surface and as a result play was broken with lengthy periods without scores.

However, the result was all that mattered in the Derry changingroom and given that they have collected five out of a possible six points, it was no surprise that manager Eamonn Coleman was delighted.

"We set our stall out at the beginning of the campaign to win our three matches before the break and we have almost achieved that. Only a late point against Kildare denied us an unblemished record," he said.

"Today was not a day for football, but the lads adapted to the conditions and showed the character in the side. With so many senior players missing for varying reasons we proved that we have strength and depth. We will enjoy the Christmas break and look forward with optimism to the New Year." Brian McMahon put Clare in front after just 13 seconds, but it was to be their only score for 32 minutes as Derry took control.

While it was a disappointing game from a spectator's point of view, few could question the commitment of both sides as the game developed into a survival of the fittest.

While defences were largely on top, Derry were the more potent in front of goal and points from Gerard Cassidy, Ryan Dougan and Dermot Heaney put them 0-3 to 01 ahead by the 11th minute.

Derry stretched their lead further in the 27th minute, with Dermot Dougan on the mark, but two late Martin Daly points reduced the leeway at the break to just one point. The second half continued in much the same vein as the first. Indeed, but for points from Martin Daly and Paddy Bradley there was little goalmouth action and it wasn't until three minutes from time that Derry stretched their lead, Ronan Rocks pointing a free.

The final action of the game, a Dermot Heaney point, ensured victory for Derry.

DERRY: O McCloskey; K McKeever, R Dougan (0-1), R Lynch; P McFlynn, H Downey, G Coleman; D Heaney (0-2), M McIvor; B Gillis, D Dougan (0- 1), J McBride; S McLarnon, R Rocks (0-1), G Cassidy (0-1). Subs: E Muldoon for Cassidy, P Bradley (0-1) for McLarnon, E Burns for McBride, J Niblock for McIvor.

CLARE: J Hanrahan; G O'Leary, B Considine, D O'Driscoll; C Nagle, B Rouinne, R Slattery; D O'Sullivan, G Quinlan; N Hawes, D Russell, M O'Connell; M O'Shea, M Daly (0-3), B McMahon (0-1). Subs: M Shannaghan for O'Connell, K Hynes for Hawes, P O'Dwyer for Slattery.

Referee: G Kinneavy (Roscommon).