Clare overcome plucky Antrim

Antrim 2-15 Clare 3-21

Clare had to dig deep for their opening All-Ireland qualifier win today as a late Niall Gilligan goal finally saw off Antrim at Casement Park today.

Goals from Neal McManus and Michael Herron, plus a healthy return of points, meant the Ulster champions kept in touch until Gilligan's 67th-minute strike.

Daithi O'Connell met a 19th-minute lineball from his brother Brian to flick home Clare's first goal which saw the Banner men up 1-13 to 1-7 at the break.

Derek Quinn and Herron then swapped goals and while Karl McKeegan, Paddy McGill and Herron landed successive points for the Saffrons, a late rally saw Clare home.