Despite holding a six point lead, Clare were made sweat till the final seconds to secure their place in the provincial final

A traditional rivalry exists between both these counties but it was not on display in what turned out to be a rather tame affair with neither outfit setting the world alight.

Late points from Conner Hegarty, Dylan Downes and Keith Smyth saw Clare over the line in a tight and tense curtain raiser in Walsh Park that was level seven times.