Clare will contest the Division 1A relegation final against Kilkenny after losing against the Cats in Nowlan Park this afternoon.
It was just the minimum between the sides after a fiercely competitive contest, Brian Codys side winning by 2-20 to 2-19.
A brace of goals from Shane O'Donnell saw Clare ahead at the break by 2-9 to 1-9, with a John Power penalty being saved by Tony Kelly on the half hour mark. Kevin Kelly, with the Kilkenny goal.
Three unanswered points from the Cats brought the game level again five minutes into the second half, before Clare did likewise to lead by three with 20 minutes to go.
John Joe Farrell struck for his sides second goal, and from here on in the lead changed hands regularly, and Conor Cleary point reduced the gap to one as the game entered injury time.
Tony Kelly saw his last gasp penalty saved and cleared, with the Cats holding out for a one point win.
It means the sides will renew rivalries once more next weekend, with a coin toss to determine home advantage.
