Clare joint-manager Gerry O'Connor was disappointed that his team didn't receive a more searching examination from Antrim in yesterday's All-Ireland U21HC semi-final.

O'Connor admitted that the 27-point victory will be of little benefit to his side going into next month's decider against Wexford.

"It's not ideal preparation heading into an All-Ireland final. We were expecting a tougher test, based on what we had been hearing during the course of the last two months," he said.

"Ultimately, once the first goal went in, and when we went four or five points up and the sweeper system wasn't working for them, that was really game over after about 10 or 15 minutes."

Despite his side's facile win, O'Connor stressed that improvement is needed if the Banner are to complete a three-in-a-row of All-Irelands.

"We'd be very disappointed with some of our defending throughout the game," he added.

"The first goal would have been unacceptable defending in relation to how the ball was allowed to get there and how nobody got back to help Jack (Browne).

"Anybody can be exposed once from a ball like that but ultimately your defence needs to work as a unit. And there were certainly lots of occasions when our defence did not work well."

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