Colm Collins announced his resignation as Clare manager as the Banner ended their 2023 All-Ireland championship campaign with a six-point defeat to Derry at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Collins confirmed after the game that he would be stepping down after 10 seasons at the helm, having led the county from Division 4 to Division 2 football.
The sides were deadlocked at half-time, 1-6 to 0-9. However, Derry got the upper hand decisively in the second half abd coupled with Donegal's win over Monaghan, means they can look forward to an All-Ireland quarter-final in a fortnight.
The Ulster side, however, were dealt a blow before throw-in, as Chrissy McKaigue was deemed unable to start through injury, apparently picked up in the last round.
Shane McGuigan was fouled in the early stages and he popped over the free himself.
Derry 'keeper Odhran Lynch sent over a raking point to double his side's lead.
Emmet McMahon got Clare off the mark with a point from a free in the eight minute. A prolonged period of Derry possession culminated in an Ethan Doherty point in the 12th minute.
A terrific score from Shane McGuigan increased Derry’s lead to 0-04 to 0-01. Emmet McMahon replied for Clare with a pointed free.
Niall Loughlin sent over a point in the 17th minute for Derry and the same player had a shot blocked by Clare keeper Stephen Ryan, with Ethan Doherty giving him the pass.
Jamie Malone sent over a good point for Clare in the 19th minute and Clare grabbed the lead in the 21t minute when Emmet McMahon found the net, with a well taken shot from a Brian McNamara pass.
Odhran Lynch bombed forward again to fire over a long- range point in the 22nd minute.
Clare were frustrating Derry’s attempts to wear down their opponents, with some resolute defending by the Banner men.
A brisk counter attack led to a point for Daniel Walsh in the 27th minute.
A brilliant score from Gareth McKinless edged Derry in front but they were pegged back going into the break by an Emmet McMahon free.
Derry started the second half with intensity, with points from Niall Loughlin (free), an excellent Paul Cassidy point and a free from Shane McGuigan.
Clare replied with an excellent point from Clare midfielder Darragh Bohannon.
However, Derry opened up a five-point lead when Benny Heron found the net.
Padraig McGrogan passed to Eoghan McEvoy in the square and he found the inrushing Heron, who rifled from close range.
Derry went into the ascendancy, with points from Paul Cassidy, Shane McGuigan and Niall Loughlin opening up a significant gap.
Derry managed their lead for the remainder of the second half, although Clare never threw in the towel.
Jamie Malone scored two late points for the Banner men, but Derry were comfortably ahead at the final whistle.
Derry: Odhran Lynch (0-2); Padraig Cassidy, Eoghan McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless (0-2), Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Benny Heron (1-0), Paul Cassidy (0-3), Ethan Doherty (0-1); Ciaran McFaul, Shane McGuigan (0-8, 4f), Niall Loughlin (0-3, 1f).
Subs: Niall Toner for Padraig Cassidy (47 mins), Ben Toner for McFaul (56 mins), Shane Downey for Heron (59 mins),Paul McNeill for Glass (66 mins), Declan Cassidy for McEvoy (stoppage time).
Clare: Stephen Ryan; Ronan Lanigan, Ciaran Russell, Manus Doherty; Alan Sweeney, Pearse Lillis, Cillian Rouine; Cathal O’Connor, Darragh Bohannon (0-1); Daniel Walsh (0-1), Emmet McMahon (1-6, 6f), Jamie Malone (0-3, 1f); Brian McNamara, Keelan Sexton, Padraic Collins.
Subs: Michael Garry (0-1) for Rouine (half-time), Aaron Griffin for O’Connor (51 mins), I. Ugweru for Sweeney, M. McInerney (0-1) for Sexton (both 52 mins), Darren O’Neill for Bohannon (66 mins).
