The healthy state of Clare hurling was emphasised once again yesterday when Clarecastle, the county champions, defeated Patrickswell from Limerick in the Munster club championship final at Thurles. In a lively match, the Clare side always seemed to be just that little bit superior. They also got the breaks at crucial stages, including a disputed penalty which yielded them a goal at a stage when Patrickswell seemed to be making a gallant effort to come to terms with their difficulties.

On a day when the elements relented to allow for a rain-free afternoon, Clarecastle played against a tricky wind in the first half on a sodden but well-grassed pitch. The size of the crowd, however, was disappointing. Although the standard of hurling never came near to the classic proportions of the Clarecastle-Ballygunner semi-final - described by former Clare great Johnny Callinan as one of the best matches he had ever seen - the crowd was never allowed to lose interest.

By far the most extraordinary contribution of the day was the 11-point total of Patrickswell full forward Gary Kirby. His total was made up of one point from play, one from a sideline cut, one from a 65 and eight from frees. But it was his opposite number, Ken Ralph, who scored the more valuable contribution of 14 for Clarecastle, including that controversial penalty.

As significant was the tally of four points from play by Danny Scanlan and the contribution of 1-1 from their centre forward, Alan Neville.

Pat Healy, the Clare side's right half back, also made an impact with a point from a brilliant sideline cut from about 60 yards as well as a 65. It might be said that it was those two points which separated the teams at the end.

Matters were close from the early stages. Barry Foley put the Limerick champions ahead in the first minute, and Ken Ralph, a Tipperaryman who is familiar with this Thurles ground, levelled within two minutes. There was little between the teams until the 27th minute, when Clarecastle struck their first really significant blow.

A probing drive by Victor O'Loughlin managed to elude the normally vigilant 'Well defence and Alan Neville, to the left of the posts, drove an angled shot across the goal. The goalkeeper did manage to get the tip of his hurley to the sliotar but could not prevent it entering the net, and the Claremen led by a clear goal. Danny Scanlan and Kirby exchanged points before the break to leave the half-time scoreline 1-8 to 0-8. After Scanlan had scored his fourth point from play in the first minute of the second half, Kirby replied with another point from a free. Three Patrickswell points - John McDermott from play, and two points from Kirby, from a free and a sideline cut - brought the teams level once more by the 18th minute of the second half at 1-10 to 0-13.

Three minutes later Scanlan was "decked" as he attempted to surge through the middle of the Limerick defence and the referee, Michael Wadding from Waterford, awarded him a hotly-disputed penalty.

Ralph was advised by some to take the point, but he opted for the big gesture and drove the sliotar firmly to the net. Gary Kirby then spoiled his own day by driving a free wide of the posts from 45 yards. Declan O'Grady also missed a good chance before Kirby and Ralph exchanged points from frees. With Patrickswell trailing by three points, 2-11 to 0-14, Kirby was given a last chance of rescuing his side with a free about 35 yards out, but his bid for the equalising goal was deflected over the bar by the Clarecastle defenders massed on the goal-line.

Although for the most part played in a vigorous and sporting spirit there were times when the game bacame heated, and halfway through the second half matters got slightly out of hand with the result that the Clarecastle centre back, Stephen Sheedy, previously booked, and the Patrickswell midfielder, Anthony Carmody, were sent off.

Clarecastle: T Hegarty; G Canny, M Sheedy, B Scanlan; P Healy (0-2, sideline and 65), S Sheedy, A Daly; V O'Loughlin, K Morrissey; F Tuohy, A Neville (1-1), D Scanlan (0-4); R Fitzgerald, K Ralph (1-4, goal from pen, three frees), G O'Loughlin.

Patrickswell: N O'Grady; A Foley, P Carey, P Earls; T O'Brien, C Carey, P Carey; A Carmody, M Foley; B Foley (0-1), D O'Grady (0-2), J McDermott (0-1); K Carey, G Kirby (0-11, eight frees, 65, sideline), E Geary. Subs: R Fitzgerald for M Foley (38 mins); D Foley for A Foley (56 mins).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).