Clare overcame a dogged Antrim performance to clinch a four-point victory at Ennis yesterday.

Clare's victory did not come without a number of scares as Antrim scored three goals, underling the pressure at times they exerted on Clare's makeshift full-back line. But each time Antrim scored a goal, it resulted in Clare upping their performance.

During the first half-hour, both sides were guilty of bad misses, particularly Clare. The game sprung into life in the 32nd minute after a Brian McFall sideline was deflected into the Clare net by goalkeeper Ger O'Connell to give Antrim a one-point lead.

However, Clare hit back with two points from Ollie Baker - who was making his first competitive appearance for Clare this year - and a Sean McMahon free to give Clare a two-point lead at half-time.

Clare added further points early in the second half through Sean Ryan and Alan Markam, stretching their lead to four points.

However, Antrim replied with a Conor McCambridge free and a great goal by Johnny McIntosh who struck the sliotar beyond O'Connell from a tight angle after a brilliant 40-yard run down the left wing. Clare responded almost immediately when full forward Markam was the first to react after a free from McMahon came off the upright to blast the sliotar past DD Quinn to give Clare a two-point lead, 1-11 to 2-05.

Antrim's third goal was scored by McNaughton, who made no mistake from six yards out. However, it was not enough to prevent Clare earning an eventual four-point victory.

The Clare County Board yesterday complied with a Croke Park directive to charge £7 for NHL games. At Clare's previous home game against Meath, supporters were asked to pay £5, in contravention of the directive from GAA headquarters.

CLARE: G O'Connell; C Forde, K Kennedy, B Quinn; F Lohan, S McMahon (0-3, all frees), C Harrison; C Lynch (0-2), G Malone; T Griffin (0-1), O Baker (0-2), E Flannery; K Ralph (0- 1), A Markam (1-3, one free), S Ryan (0-3). Subs: B Murphy (0-2) for Ralph (35 mins); D Hoey for Kennedy (57); PJ O'Connell (0-1) for Griffin (60).

ANTRIM: D O'Quinn; E O'Hara, C McCallister, Ciaran McCambridge; C Herron, K Kelly, E Graham; A Campbell (0-1), Conor McCamridge (0-3, two frees); R McNaugh- ton (1-0), J Connolly (0-1), B McFall (1-3, one free); J McIntosh (1-0), D McKillop, P Graham. Sub: M O'Neill for Kelly (63 mins).

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).