THE MISSION was for Clare to win back to back All Ireland under 21 titles so Davy O’Halloran was relieved it was accomplished on Saturday evening in Semple Stadium.

Thurles has been a happy hunting ground for this cool collection of Clare youngsters, who defeated Tipperary, Galway, and Antrim at the venue during the past two months.

O’Halloran, who ended the rout with a 1-4 haul, was thrilled that Clare expertly closed the deal by being ruthless against Antrim.

“It was our aim at the start of the year to put together back to back victories. Clare have never done it before at under 21 level. I suppose it was a year to just take it off from where we left it last year.”

Three years ago Clare suffered a cruel All Ireland minor final loss to Kilkenny so that was a motivational factor for O’Halloran.

“At the start of the year we said we let one go at the start of the year against Kilkenny in 2010 and we said this is our year to make it back up.

“The lads that are in there are unbelievable. There’s so many of us on the senior panel and there’s lads that have just been training under 21 and the effort they’ve put in is unbelievable.”

O’Halloran was adamant that Clare would always be driven and focused for this clash with unfancied Antrim.

“They’re the best group of lads I’ve ever worked with, same to the management. Our heads were never going to be an issue coming into the match.”