Content drags on in Ennis
Pictures: John Kelly conceding just two points at the other end.
Kieran Malone and Cleary, from a free extended their lead to five points, but Louth coughed up another cheap goal on 30 minutes when Clare capitalised on a poor kick-out by Craig Lynch and worked the ball swiftly forward for Keelan Sexton to slap home at the far post.
Louth had genuine claims that Sexton actually caught the ball and threw it to the net but Derek O’Mahoney didn’t want to know and a game that had already been slipping away from the visitors was now disappearing fast over the horizon.
Louth tried to steady the ship again and were rewarded with points from substitute Ross Nally and Bevan Duffy, but if the outcome was in any doubt at that stage, a third Clare goal, dispatched by Kieran Malone, made it 3-7 to 0-6 at the break.
The game might have been beyond Louth as the second-half got underway, but after drawing a blank in the goal column for five consecutive games, it was still a relief to see Tommy Durnin force an improvised finish past Eamonn Tubridy after two minutes.
Andy McDonnell was at the centre of most of Louth’s attacking play in the second period and when his ball forward was fumbled by William Woods, Durnin picked up the break and somehow managed to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner under considerable pressure.
It was never going to a trigger a full-blown comeback, but the goal did seem to inject a fresh impetus into Louth’s display and with the sides kicking five points apiece thereafter, they could at least say they edged the second-half scoring.
McDonnell, Byrne and Durnin were on target for Louth before sub Tadhg McEnaney helped himself to a couple of late points.
But Clare always looked comfortable, responding when they needed to, and Louth had Craig Lynch to thank for a couple of superb saves midway through the half.
Similar to the defeat in Cork there were small crumbs of comfort for the Reds in that second period, but they will need a vastly improved display to avoid seven straight defeats when Meath come calling this weekend.
The Royals still need a point to be absolutely sure of avoiding relegation, but while it looked for a time like Andy McEntee’s side might be in a spot of bother, it would now seem that Pete McGrath’s native Down will be joining Louth in Division 3 next term.