For the third time in as many years, Clare have captured the All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling title, but they had to survive a late Wexford fightback at Semple Stadium.
After a cagey opening, Clare struck first blood when David Reidy was set-up by Eire Óg teammate Shane O'Donnell and fired it into the Wexford net – moments earlier, an unlucky Kevin Foley had rattled the bar for the Slaneysiders.
Wexford then kept Clare honest, but Tony Kelly scored three points in a row on the stroke of half-time to give the Banner a 1-8 to 0-6 lead.
While Wexford started well after the break, Clare then hit the net once more after Aaron Cunningham was cleverly set-up by Bobby Duggan.
However, Wexford fought on. Jack Guiney had a penalty saved, but minutes later they goaled through substitute David Dunne.
A run of points meant Clare then stretched their lead to eight with ten minutes left, and it looked like the game was over – but it wasn't.
David Dunne scored a second goal, and then Conor McDonald followed his lead and after Jack Guiney pointed on 57 minutes, there were only three points in it.
But man of the match Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin scored crucial late scores, with Peter Sutton just missing a goal chance for Wexford, and the Banner fans could breathe a sigh of relief.
It finished Clare 2-20 Wexford 3-11.
