IN a highly-competitive game at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday Kildare just about deserved the honours in defeating Clare by two points. It was an absorbing contest as two very fit sides made light of the rather heavy underfoot conditions. Playing against the light breeze in the opening half, Kildare opened the scoring with the point by corner forward Martin Lynch, but Odran O'Dwyer levelled the scoring for Clare.

However, Kildare, in a number of fluid movements, notched three more points without response from Clare, who had to wait until the last five minutes of the half to narrow the gap to a point.

At one stage it looked as if Clare might have had better luck when in a scramble in the Kildare goalmouth, the ball was cleared away after Ciaran Considine and Martin Daly had a glorious opportunity with goalkeeper Christy Byrne out of position.

Kildare were a point ahead at the end of the first half and were two points clear within a few minutes of the restart. Then Clare substitute Ger Keane, after one of the best movements of the match, sent home the only goal of the contest. Clare were in front for the first time.

The goal brought out the best in both sides and there was a thrilling contest in the final 20 minutes. Christy Byrne, the Kildare goalkeeper, was kept on his toes as he cleared shots from substitute Sean Keane, while at the other end goalkeeper James Hanrahan and corner back John Enright had to work hard to subdue the threat of Karl O'Dwyer, top scorer for Kildare, and Cathal Sheridan.

Midway through the half Paul McCormack's shot left the sides level. Then, eight minutes from the end, a marvellous free from the sideline by O'Dwyer put Kildare ahead and he clinched the verdict with a further point before the final whistle.

Outstanding for the winners were Brian Lacey, John Finn and Anthony Rainbow in defence and Niall Buckley at midfield. Clare had an outstanding centre back in Brendan Rouine, while Donal O'Sullivan at midfield and Denis O'Driscoll at right half-forward impressed.

KILDARE: C Byrne; B Lacey, E Mulhall, K Doyle; D Maher, J Finn, A Rainbow; N Buckley, W McCreery; P Graven (0-4, frees), D Kerrigan, P McCormack (0-1); M Lynch (0-1), K O'Dwyer (0-3), C Sheridan (0-1).

CLARE: J Hanrahan; A Malone, N Hawes, J Enright; B Keating, B Rouine, C Nagle; D Russell, D O'Sullivan; O O'Dwyer (0-1), D Devine, D O'Driscoll; P McMahon, C Considine (0-3), M Daly (0-1). Sub: G Keane (1-0) for Considine.

Referee: N Barrett, Cork.