All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers Round One/ Clare 3-21 Antrim 2-15: It took a storming finish from Clare to finally pull away from tenacious Antrim in Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier at Casement Park.
The final score does scant justice to a determined and gusty Antrim side that matched their opponents stride for stride during most of the game.
However a blitz of 1-4 over the closing 13 minutes gave Clare a flattering margin of victory.
In the 11th minute, young Shane McNaughton fired over his second point in rapid succession to put Antrim 0-5 to 0-4 ahead, but strong Clare midfielder Brian O'Connell levelled the battle for the fourth time immediately afterwards.
That took the sting out of the Saffrons' challenge for 17 minutes during which they scored just one point while Clare were busy amassing 1-6.
Daithi O'Connell snatched the goal in the 19th minute as he connected with a sideline cut by his brother, Brian. Teenagers Paul Shields and Neil McManus combined for an Antrim goal in the 31st minute, McManus firing home as he fell in the goalmouth. Clare had established a healthy 1-13 to 1-7 lead by the interval.
Despite a second Clare goal by Derek Quinn on 41 minutes, Antrim refused to wilt and within 60 seconds Michael Herron had the ball in the visitors' net to reduce the deficit to 2-15 to 2-9. From there until those closing minutes, Antrim battled bravely and when Herron hit a point in the 55th minute only three points separated the sides, at 2-16 to 2-13.
However, that closing blitz by under-strength Clare closed out Antrim with a well-taken goal by dangerman Niall Gilligan, two minutes from time, finally bolting the door.
Due to a combination of suspensions and injury problems Clare fielded only five of the team that faced Cork in the controversial Munster Championship battle. Antrim included five teenagers in their side.
"We took a lot of criticism about the team we picked but all the young players stood up to the mark," said Antrim joint-manager Terence McNaughton.
"I was relieved to hear the final whistle as I was never happy until Niall (Gilligan) scored that late goal," said Clare team boss Tony Considine.
ANTRIM: R McGarry; A Griffin (0-1), K Kelly, S Delargy; M McCambridge, J Campbell, C Herron; K McKeegan (0-4, all frees), B Herron; P McGill (0-3), N McManus (1-1), M Herron (1-1); S McNaughton (0-2), J McIntosh (0-1), P Shields (0-1). Subs: K Stewart for B Herron (41mins), S McCrory (0-1)for McIntosh (51mins), B McFall for McNaughton (61mins)
CLARE: P Brennan; G O'Grady, F Lohan; K Dileen; B Bolger, G Quinn, C Plunkett; J McInerney (0-1), B O'Connell (0-2); D O'Rourke (0-1), D McMahon (0-5, one sideline), P Vaughan; D O'Connell (1-3), N Gilligan (1-6, 3 frees, one 65), J Clancy. Subs: D Quinn (1-2)for Vaughan (half-time), D Shannon for McInerney (60mins), C McMahon (0-1)for Clancy (67mins).
Referee: T Mahon(Fermanagh)
