Limerick proved far too strong for Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, prevailing by 1-28 to 0-13.

Defeat would have knocked the All-Ireland champions out of the championship but there was no danger of that happening as John Kiely's charges won at their leisure.

With 29,611 taking in the summer sun, the hosts led by 0-15 to 0-7 at the break, eight different Treaty men foraging scores in the first half while the disappointing Banner only mustered one first-half point from play.

The winners hit six of the first seven points inside the opening nine minutes through Aaron Gillane (3), Kyle Hayes, Gearoid Hegarty and captain Declan Hannon. They also lofted over the last four before the short whistle, William O'Donoghue, Hegarty, Gillane and Peter Casey raising white flags.

The Treaty County had lost their last three championship clashes with their near neighbours but they powered into a double scores lead with 55 minutes remaining, 0-22 to 0-11, and top scorer Gillane (1-11) dispatched the game's only goal in the 59th minute, hammering home after Hayes' brilliant pass.

It's Limerick second successive impressive victory; Clare's second sobering defeat on the spin.

Limerick - N Quaid; S Finn; M Casey, R English; D Byrnes (0-1), D Hannon (0-1), P O’Loughlin; C Lynch, W O’Donoghue (0-1); G Hegarty (0-2), K Hayes (0-1), T Morrissey (0-3); A Gillane (1-11, 0-7f, 0-1'65), G Mulcahy (0-2), P Casey (0-4). Subs: D O’Donovan (0-1) for W O’Donoghue, S Dowling (0-1) for G Hegarty, D Morrissey for D Hannon, S Flanagan for P Casey, P Ryan for G Mulcahy.

Clare - D Tuohy; D McInerney, P O’Connor, D Fitzgerald; C Malone, C Cleary, J Browne; S Golden, C Galvin (0-1); P Duggan (0-11, 8f, 1'65), T Kelly (0-1), P Collins; A Shanagher, J Conlon, S O’Donnell. Subs: A McCarthy for S Golden, D Ryan for A Shanagher, S Morey for D Fitzgerald, J McCarthy for P Collins.

Referee - J Owens.

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