The Ulster men clinched the victory with a well-taken goal by talisman Conor McGourty in the 59th minute.

He fielded a diagonal ball from right to left by Kevin Brady and sent a low shot passed Joe Hayes in the Clare goal to put his side 1-9 to 0-9 in front and this vital score paved the way for a satisfactory win.

Clare dominated much of the first half encounters but for all their possession could only enjoy a two point advantage (0-7 to 0-5) at the break.

The visitors took the game to the Banner in the second half and overturned the deficit by the 51st minute with three scores to nil, courtesy of McGourty, Kevin Niblock and substitute Joe Crozier.

Clare equalised through David Russell, but when McGourty goaled with seven minutes remaining, Antrim had taken control. The impressive Naomh Gall clubman cemented victory with two further points while Clare replied with a Tubridy pointed free, late in the game.

ANTRIM S McGreevey, C McGoldrick, P Doherty, S Kelly, P Close, E O'Neill, J Loughery, D Martin, J Quinn, S McVeigh, K Niblock (0-2, 0-1 free), K Brady (0-1), M Dougan, C Close (02, 0-1 free), C McGourty (1-5, 0-1 free) Subs A Gallagher for McVeigh, 34 mins; J Crozier (01) for McGoldrick, half-time; M McGill for Dougan, half-time; G Bell for McGill, 63 mins; M Pollock for Close, 67 mins
CLARE Joe Hayes, L Healy, C Whelan (Capt. ) G Kelly, N Considine, D Russell (0-2), John Hayes, M O'Shea (0-2), G Brennan, R Donnelly, F O'Dea, M Murphy, M O'Dwyer, S Hickey (0-1), D Tubridy (0-5, 0-4 frees) Subs D Connole for Donnelly, 26 mins; T Ryan for Murphy, 41 mins; E Coughlan for O'Dwyer, 48 mins Referee D Corcoran (Mayo)