The Croke Park decider will be highly anticipated after a workmanlike display from Anthony Daly’s side saw Sixmilebridge sharpshooter Niall Gilligan run up his championship tally to 4-21 from three games, as he notched two goals in either half and some cracking scores from placed balls.

A renewal of Clare and Offaly’s championships rivalry from 1998 saw a brisk opening but wayward Banner shooting, with the breeze at their backs, saw them claim four wides inside the first five minutes.

Frank Lohan struck wide from his wing forward position, Tony Carmody was hooked and eventually blocked as his short-sticked goal attempt sailed wide in the fifth minute.

Tony Griffin bagged the opening point 40 seconds later. Offaly replied through Brendan Murphy and the sides remained deadlocked until the 18th minute.

At 0-3 apiece, Damien Murray stepped up to a 21-metre free and fired it past Brian Quinn on the Clare line for a surprise lead.

It was two goals in two minutes, but a first for Gilligan and a necessary reply as Carmody laid off for his forward colleague to snap home.

Gilligan added two frees to open up a five-point gap and Clare secured a deserved half-time lead with a second goal on 26 minutes as Griffin, scorer of four goals against Laois, rounded Offaly keeper Brian Mullins on the end line to finish to the top right corner.

A heavily-strapped Brian Lohan was substituted on 32 minutes for Daithi O’Connell but with Offaly ending the half without a score for 17 minutes, Clare’s tails were up at 2-07 to 1-03 in front.

Rory Hanniffy immediately reduced the arrears to six points after the restart but again Gilligan was to the fore, replying within seconds when shooting off his right past David Franks.

Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald was let off when Joe Brady’s goal shot was ruled out for a square ball but the diminutive netminder pulled off two great saves with 20 minutes remaining.

First he blocked down Michael Cordial and with the ball still in play, dived bravely to stop a Brendan Murphy shot.

By that time, Gilligan had surprised everyone with another goal from a 21-metre free, sneaking it under the Offaly bar for 3-08 to 1-04.

Gilligan (0-03), O’Connell, Carmody, David Forde, Andrew Quinn and Diarmuid McMahon pushed Clare on with further scores, and Rory Hanniffy’s injury time Offaly goal proved immaterial.

Clare: D Fitzgerald; B Quinn, B Lohan, G O’Grady; D Hoey, S McMahon, A Markham; C Lynch, D McMahon; F Lohan, N Gilligan, T Griffin; D Forde, T Carmody, A Quinn.

Subs used: D O’Connell for B Lohan (32 mins), O Baker for D McMahon (62), B Murphy for Griffin, J O’Connor for Carmody, B O’Connell for Markham (all 70)

Offaly: B Mullins; B Teehan, G Oakley, D Franks; Brian Whelahan, N Claffey, C Cassidy; M Cordial, Barry Whelahan; G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy, J Brady; D Murray, N Coughlan, K Brady.

Subs used: D Hayden for J Brady (43 mins), S Brown for K Brady (64), N Mannion for N Coughlan, R McRedmond for Murray (both 66)

Scorers: Clare: N Gilligan 2-07 (1-05f), T Griffin 1-02, D Forde 0-02, C Lynch, A Quinn, T Carmody, D O’Connell, D McMahon 0-01 each

Offaly: D Murray 1-03 (1-03f), R Hanniffy 1-02, B Murphy, G Hanniffy, Barry Whelehan, D Hayden, M Cordial 0-01 each.