The burden of expectation lay heavily on Sligo's shoulders at Markievicz Park yesterday, resulting in a nervy, inept performance which was criticised by their manager, Peter Forde.

But the reality was that a vibrant and youthful Clare team, intent on retaining their Division One status, never gave the impression they would be dependent on the shortcomings of their rivals.

Clare in fact played with such purpose it was difficult to believe they were the team fighting against relegation - a battle they also won as a result of Meath's win over Laois. Forde's almost tortured expression brightened somewhat with the news that Derry's draw with Fermanagh had waived his team through to next Sunday's semifinals. "I've no doubt it was our worst display of the season," said Forde afterwards.

The signs seemed ominous for Sligo when they could manage only two points with the wind at their backs; scored by full forward Paul Taylor - one off a free during the opening 22 minutes of play. Their main weakness was exposed in midfield from an early stage with Clare's David Russell and Brian Considine asserting their authority.

Pat Begley, and his dugout team, also produced a clever move in switching forward Joe Consodine to a sweeper-type role behind his midfielders.

Inevitably the Sligo midfield crumbled under the strain and Rory Brennan was replaced in the second half, leaving Paul Durcan, not long back from suspension, with an almost impossible task.

Yet, the man to replace Brennan, Darragh McGarthy, went close to turning the game on its head with a tremendous shot 28 minutes into the second half.

However, his deflected shot, of which Clare goalkeeper James Hanrahan knew little, rebounded off the far post and fortunately for Clare into the hands of Phil Smyth who duly cleared.

Clare responded within 20 seconds when Smyth initiated another free-flowing move which ended with Denis Russell shooting over a point. The upshot of this rousing phase was that instead of being level, Sligo were four points down.

Petty fouling in the Sligo defence, and some fundamental errors, gave Clare's Colm Mullen the chance of levelling up the scores (1-4 apiece) with two well-struck frees within three minutes of the restart.

Clare were never headed after and Denis Russell pointed from a free for a 1-5 to 1-4 lead nine minutes into the second half.

Throughout that second period Sligo's scoring rate was kept down by excellent Clare tackling and the home side's John McPartland and McGarty were guilty of some desperately sluggish shots. Even Eamon O'Hara was denied a score, a rare occurance.

On the contrary some of Clare's second-half points from wingback Mark O'Connell, Michael O'Shea and Denis Russell were awe-inspiring.

Dessie Sloyan proved Sligo's top scorer with 1-3 and the same player will be disappointed at his fumble in the dying minutes when presented with a great opportunity.

However, the fleet-footed Easkey man availed of his first goal chance five minutes from half-time after beating Clare goalkeeper James Hanrahan to get the touch on a perfectly weighted Gerry McGowan centre.

The goal that put Clare on the road to success came in the 13th minute and was deftly struck by Denis Russell after being put in the clear by Michael O'Shea after he took advantage of a mistake in the Sligo defence.

CLARE: J Hanrahan, E McGuane, P Gallagher, P Smyth, B Keating, N Hawes, M O'Connell (0-1), David Russell (0-1), B Considine, P Hehir, J Considine, Denis Russell (1-4, one free), C Mullen (0-2, frees), P McMahon, M O'Shea (0-1). Subs: M Daly for Hehir (34 mins); D O'Driscoll for McMahon (56 mins); B Ruane for David Russell (67 mins).

SLIGO: P Walsh, P Gallagher, N CLancy, N Carew, P Doohan, D Durkin, R Keane, P Durcan, R Brennan, S Davey (0-1), E O'Hara, J McPartland, D Sloyan (1-3), P Taylor (0-3, two frees), G McGowan. Subs: B Phillips for Gallagher (17 mins); D McGarty for Brennan (45 mins); S Flannery for McGowan (59 mins); P Naughton for Doohan (54 mins).

Referee: C Broderick (Down).