Michael McDermott's Clare side made the perfect start to their 2012 campaign with a 0-18 to 1-8 victory over UL at Doonbeg on Sunday.

The home side were much the better team from the start and by half time lead 0-10 to 0-4 with some fine scores from David Tubridy, Gary Brennan and Rory Donnelly.

UL were dealt a blow when they lost Kerry star Anthony Maher through injury.

The students fought back after the resumption with a succession of points to cut the deficit but with the Banner forwards in firing form they maintained their lead through out.

10 minutes from the end UL substitute Eddie Walsh got the games only goal but it was the home side who ran out deserved winners. Clare will now meet Cork next weekend.

Clare - P. O'Dwyer; K. Hartnett, S. McNeilis, M. Mc Mahon; E. Troy, Gordon Kelly, Graham Kelly; D Russell, G Quinlan (0-3); D Daly, R Donnelly (0-3), S Brennan; P Collins (0-1), G Brennan (0-4), D Tubridy (0-7). Subs: D. Blake for Graham Kelly, M Foran for Collins, S O'Driscoll for Troy, S Haugh for Hartnett, D Murphy for Tubridy.

UL - J. Lyster; M. Culloty, D. O'Sullivan, P. O'Connor; F. Fitzgerald (0-1), M. Geaney (0-1), J. Lyne; A. Maher, A. Rockett; K. Hurley, D. Niblock, M. Cahalane (0-1); J. O'Donoghue (0-1), C. Dempsey (0-4), J. O'Rourke. Subs: T. Ladden for Maher, J. O'Brien for Rockett, E. Walsh (1-0) for O'Rourke. Tweet

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