Clare advanced to the All-Ireland Intermediate Final for the first time since 2016 when they overcame the stiff challenge of Antrim at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford.

In what was a fantastic game of football Clare made a whirlwind start to the game but credit to Antrim they came back at them. The Banner put in a fine performance in the second half despite losing substitute Ciara McCarthy through a sin bin. 

Straight from throw-in Antrim had a chance to open the scoring but kicked a wide. Clare went up the field and six attacks yielded six scores. Chloe Moloney got their first point in the second minute.

Antrim created the first chance of the game but kicked a wide. Clare went down the field and from six attacks they got six scores to open up an eight point lead in the seventh minute. 

Chloe Moloney kicked over a good point in the second minute and that was followed with a fantastic goal from Aisling Reidy, after she received the ball from Moloney.

Two points from Moloney (one free) and one apiece from Laura Grifey and Fidelma Marrinan put the Banner County ahead by eight after seven minutes of play. 

Antrim finally opened their account in the ninth minute when Orlaith Prenter kicked over a fine point. Theresa Mellon and Maria O’Neill added further scores to cut the gap to five points in the 12th minute.

Clare replied with good scores from Marrinan and Reidy but then the game swung in Antrim’s favour. McLaughlin kicked over a free and then the Saffrons got a goal. The ball was overturned, Cathy Carey played the ball to O’Neill and she fisted it to the net. 

Points from Prenter, McLaughlin and Carey drew Antrim level in the 28th minute. Clare got two points just before the break through Marrinan and Reidy to lead by two going in at half-time - 1-9 to 1-7.

An excellent point from Marrinan and another pointed free from Moloney extended Clare’s lead to four points in the 36th minute.

Antrim went on the attack in the 37th minute but Clare full-back Siofra Ní Chonaill did superbly to dispossess McLaughlin. 

Clare extended their lead to seven points in the 44th minute when substitute Ciara McCarthy pulled a high ball into Moloney, she turned before hitting a stunning strike to the top corner of the net.

One minute later McCarthy was sin binned. Lara Dahunsi followed with a point for Antrim. Clare tried to manage the clock while McCarthy was off but Antrim got points through Prenter (2, one free) and Dahunsi to close the gap to three in the 52nd minute.

It was end to end stuff. Substitute Megan Downes got a much needed point in the 54th minute to stem Antrim’s attack. Marrinan followed with a free for her fifth point of the game to extend the lead to five points in the 56th minute. McLaughlin kicked over a late point for Antrim but Clare held on.