Ger O'Loughlin's side needed a final round win to guarantee their place in the upcoming decider, in which they face unbeaten table toppers Limerick.

The Banner men lined out with eight players from their All-Ireland U-21 winning team of two years ago, and quickly got into their stride at Cusack Park.

Their speed and physicality was too much at times for Carlow who were 0-4 to 0-2 behind early on. Colin Ryan, Nicky O'Connell, Jonathan Clancy and Diarmuid McMahon were on target for Clare.

Ruairi Dunbar claimed Carlow's opening two scores and they went a full 20 minutes without registering a point in the first half.

Clare's first goal arrived in the 23rd minute, Conor McGrath doing well to cut in along the end-line and pass for McMahon to fire home. McMahon ended the half with 1-3, while O'Connell pointed five times.

Jack Kavanagh, one of Carlow's best players on the day, replied before the break, but the Barrowsiders were completely overrun in the second half.

Dunbar and John Rogers had early points on the board, but Clare reeled off goals from Ryan, who cracked a 21-yard free straight into the net, and Clancy, who scored a quick 1-2.

That left Carlow trailing by 3-20 to 0-6 and Clare kept pushing for scores, grabbing a fourth and final goal from McMahon five minutes from the end.