'All we wanted to do was take it to the last day,' admits Clare boss Mark Fitzgerald

A Division 3 winner-takes-all promotion showdown awaits a new-look Clare in Newry next Sunday after their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday afternoon.

BANNER BOSS: Clare manager Mark Fitzgerald during the McGrath Cup group B match between Waterford and Clare at Páirc Naomh Brid in Lemybrien, Waterford. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Allianz Football League

Division 3 Round 6

Clare 0-15 Antrim 0-12

A Division 3 winner-takes-all promotion showdown awaits a new-look Clare in Newry next Sunday after completing their fourth consecutive victory in front of 997 in Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday afternoon.

Another positive result did rather mask a stuttering finish from the home side as despite a commanding eight point cushion against Antrim’s 14 men by the 40th minute, Mark Fitzgerald’s side somehow ended up anxiously clinging on by the final whistle.

“All we wanted to do from the outset was to take it to the last day,” admitted a conflicted Fitzgerald.

“Look overall, it has been a good league campaign but you just wouldn’t be happy with the performance.

“It’s just not acceptable at this level. We were a good ten points better that what was on the scoreboard but some basic unforced errors meant that it was far from comfortable for a finish.

“I wouldn’t be too harsh on the lads, they have been brilliant all year but our standards have probably grown as the league has gone on so that is why we are all a bit frustrated today.”

There was certainly nothing wrong with their first half endeavours as once Ciaran Downes picked off a hat-trick of early frees, Clare would never relinquish their advantage.

The decisive moment arrived in the 33rd minute when Antrim midfielder Colm McLarnan was dismissed for an off-the-ball strike on marker Gavin Murray.

Coming amidst a four point unanswered home rally through Cormac Murray, Aaron Griffin, Mark McInerney and Dermot Coughlan, the Banner eased into the break 0-9 to 0-3 clear before also adding the first two of the second half to soar eight clear.

It should have been game over but it wasn’t as a spirited Antrim capitalised upon Clare’s reduction in intensity to regain an unlikely foothold as Patrick McBride (3) and replacement Ryan McQuillan (2) slashed the deficit to just three before time ultimately ran out.

Relief therefore for Mark Fitzgerald and Co. who simply cannot be as generous against their next Ulster opponents this Sunday (2pm).

“Look we’re getting away with it at the moment but we’ve a tough, tough task ahead of us next week in Down.”

Scorers for Clare: M. McInerney (0-4, 3f); C. Downes (0-3, 3f); Aaron Griffin (0-3) C. Murray (0-2); D. Coughlan, J. McGann, G. Murray (0-1 each).

Scorers for Antrim: P. McBride (0-3); R. McQuillan (0-2, 1f); P. Shivers (f), M. Jordan, J. Finnegan, D. McAleese (m), E. McCabe, D. Lynch, R. McCann (0-1 each).

Clare: S Ryan; M Garry, R Lanigan, M Doherty; I Ugwueru, A Sweeney, D Walsh; G Murray, B McNamara; D Coughlan, A Griffin, C Downes; M McInerney, C Murray, J McGann.

Subs: J Stack for McGann (44), C Rouine for Ugwueru (47), D Nagle for Garry (62), T Kelly for McInerney (67), S Griffin for C. Murray (68, inj).

Antrim: M Byrne; K Keenan, D McNicholl, D Lynch; D McAleese, J Finnegan, R Boyle; C McLarnon, C Hand; E McCabe, P McBride, R McCann; M Jordan, P Shivers, D McEnhill.

Subs: B. Kelly for Shivers (HT), R McQuillan for McEnhill (52), E Hynds for Hand (53), C McGettigan for Keenan (62), N. Burns for McCabe (67).

Referee: D. O’Mahoney (Tipperary).