Second-half Derry surge too much for Clare

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.

Clare were already eliminated having lost their two previous round-robin games in Group 4, and the back-to-back Ulster champions put in a strong second half display to seal their place in the last eight as group winners.

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.

An Emmett McMahon first-half goal ensured Clare were level at the break in Longford after the Oak Leaf County made a bright start.

A blistering start to the second half saw Derry hit 1-02 in two minutes, with Benny Heron raising the green flag to set Derry on their way.

Shane McGuigan was again in top form up front, hitting nine points, five from play, as Derry always managed to keep their opponents at arms length.

The result, coupled with Donegal's win over Monaghan, means Derry can look forward to an All-Ireland quarter-final in a fortnight.

Derry: O Lynch 0-2; Pádraig Cassidy, E McEvoy, C McCluskey; C Doherty, G McKinless 0-2, P McGrogan; C Glass, B Rogers; B Heron 1-0, Paul Cassidy 0-2, E Doherty 0-1; C McFaul, S McGuigan 0-9 (4f);, N Loughlin 0-4 (1f);.

Subs: N Toner for Pádraig Cassidy (47), Ben McCarron for McFaul (56), Shea Downey for B Heron (60), Paul McNeil for Glass (66), D Cassidy for McEvoy (72).

Clare: S Ryan; R Lanigan, C Russell, M Doherty; A Sweeney, P Lillis, C Rouine; C O'Connor, D Bohannon 0-1; D Walsh 0-1, E McMahon 1-6 (6f); J Malone 0-3 (1f); B McNamara, K Sexton, P Collins.

Subs: M Garry 0-1 for Rouine (h-t), A Griffin for O’Connor (51), I Ugweru for