Clare boss O'Connor happy with win

Clare joint manager Gerry O'Connor was satisfied with his sides display after they powered to the Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland Under 21 Hurling final thanks to a 27-point win over Antrim today at Semple Stadium.

The Munster champions were always in control at the Thurles venue, as Antrim's quest to reach a first All-Ireland decider once again ended in disappointment.

"What we had focussed in the two or three weeks since the Munster final was our performance," O'Connor told TG4 after the game.

"It was hard to give Antrim the respect that we felt that they deserved.

"It was always going to be a tricky game from the point of view that we were always expected to do very well.

"We really put ourselves under pressure in the Munster final in Ennis and the way we performed that night left a lot of unanswered questions for us.

"In the cold light of day when we analysed that performance we felt that we actually played quite well. It was just that Tipperary really upped their performance from their previous games against Limerick and Cork."

And O'Connor was impressed with his sides display this afternoon, despite the Banner County being the strongest of favourites approaching this game.

"We gave a workmanlike display," he said.

"We went ten points to one up and then the goal killed the game as a contest.

"The really pleasing aspect of this game for us was that the four or five subs that came on made a major contribution.

"They gave a very solid performance and added a lot in various sectors to the performance.

"Those guys are going to be pushing and asking really serious questions of us in the next three weeks if they are able to stake a claim for starting places in the All-Ireland final team."