Kildare finished much stronger to defeat Clare in a one-sided senior football challenge tie at Rathangan yesterday.

The visitors lost full forward Odran O'Dwyer as a result of an accidental head injury he incurred late in the game.

Clare started well, and with Michael O'Dwyer contributing three early scores they led by 0-4 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter, but they fell behind later in the half and needed another O'Dwyer free to tie up the game at 0-8 each at the interval.

Kildare were much more impressive in the second half and goals from Tadhg Fennin and Derek McCormack ensured victory for the home team.

KILDARE: T Fennin (1-4, 2f), D McCormack (1-1), J Doyle, P Hurley, B Moyles (0-2 each), S McKenzie-Smith, E McCormack, K Donnelly (0-1 each).

CLARE: M O'Dwyer (0-5 2f), O O'Dwyer (0-2), D O'Driscoll, M O'Connell, R Donnelly (0-1 each).