Clare 2-20
Wexford 3-11

Clare survived a late scare against Wexford in Semple Stadium tonight to collect their third All-Ireland U21 title in as many years.

Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly turned on the style in front of an official attendance of 15,081 to lay the foundations for Clare's deserved success but they were almost caught at the death by a gallant Wexford team which bagged three second-half goals.

Five points from the Clare captain laid the foundations for a five-point half-time advantage for the Gerry O'Connor/Donal Moloney managed outfit and goals from David Reidy and Aaron Cunningham in either half looked to have wrapped up the victory a long way out from the final whistle.

Wexford had other ideas, however, and goals from David Dunne (2) and Conor McDonald put the cat amongst the pigeons as the final whistle approached but the reigning champions held on for a deserved victory.

The sides were level on 0-2 apiece after a frenetic opening 10 minutes but Clare seized the initiative in the 13th minute when Reidy found the back of the Wexford net.

The ever-industrious Shane O'Donnell created the opening for the Banner number 15 who made no mistake from close range.

Clare's green flag rubbed salt into the Model County's wounds as moments earlier the crossbar had denied Kevin Foley a goal.

Points from Jack Guiney (free) and Gary Moore helped the Leinster champions recover from the set-back of conceding the goal but half-back Jamie Shanahan responded for the holders and they led by 1-3 to 0-4 after 20 minutes of play.

Kelly stamped his mark on proceedings as the first-half wore on and finished the opening 30 minutes with five points to his name.

The Clare number 11 sent over four points in the run-up to half-time and the Banner adjourned to the dressingroom with a healthy 1-8 to 0-6 lead.

Full-forward McDonald issued a statement of intent on Wexford's behalf with the first score of the second-half straight from the throw-in and seconds later he used his physical presence to telling effect to draw a foul off Jack Browne who also picked up a yellow card for his troubles.

Guiney was left with the simplest of tap overs to leave just a goal between the sides - 1-8 to 0-8 - and midfielders Colm Galvin and Conor Devitt then exchanged points as the decibel levels began to rise around Thurles.

Bobby Duggan sent over Clare's first free in the 35th minute and, three minutes later, full-forward  Cunningham pound for his side's second goal.

Kelly and Galvin then combined for the latter to send over a glorious point and the signs were ominous for Wexford as they trailed by 0-9 to 2-11 with 39 minutes gone on the clock.

Against the run of play, referee Cathal McAllister awarded Wexford a penalty for a foul on Rhys Clarke but Guiney's effort was saved on the line by Browne.

To their credit, JJ Doyle's charges didn't allow their heads to drop and they were rewarded when substitute Dunne produced an amazing finish to raise a green flag in the 43rd minute and leave them trailing by 1-10 to 2-12.

Duggan three (two frees) steadied Clare nerves but they were left reeling when Dunne and McDonald struck for two Wexford goals in as many minutes to leave the scoreboard reading 2-17 to 3-10 with six minutes to go.

As events transpired, Clare weathered the storm with the irrepressible Kelly bringing his personal tally to seven points and Galvin very much to fore.

Clare - K Hogan; J Colleran, J Browne, S Morey; G O'Connell (0-1), C Cleary, J Shanahan (0-1); C Galvin (0-4), E Enright; B Duggan (0-4, 3f), T Kelly (0-7), P Duggan; S O'Donnell, A Cunningham (1-2), D Reidy (1-1). Subs: C O'Connell for G O'Connell, A O'Neill for S O'Donnell, S O'Brien for J Colleran.

Wexford - O O'Leary; A Kenny, L Ryan, E Conroy; J White, S O'Gorman, J O'Connor; A Nolan, C Devitt (0-1); J Guiney (0-7, 6f, 1'65), G Moore (0-2), P Foley; R Clarke, C McDonald (1-1), K Foley. Subs: D Dunne (2-0) for J O'Connor, J Cash for J White, C O'Leary for G Moore, P Sutton for J Cash.

Referee - C McAllister.

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