"It is very tough but no better men to see it through, in fairness.
"We knew coming into it the form the Cork forwards were in and we were under pressure in the first half, but we showed good character to stay in the game and worked our way into it.
"But it was very physical, Cork bring a different dynamic to it with the movement of their forwards and they all get good, quality ball in as well, so the pace that they play at and the physicality they bring is a big thing."
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Cleary's defensive duties became more challenging when he picked up a yellow card after just 22 minutes, but he adjusted quickly to the setback, and revealed: "It's something probably Brian always says about next ball. I know it's very cliched but that's all you can really do, you reset and go for the next ball, kind of work your way into the game.
"I kind of did that from then on, but sure listen, as a back and as an inside back, it's never good to be on a card that early but you just have to reset.
"I think you have to take yourself out of the moment as well, it's not about you in that moment, you're trying to contribute to the team.
"That was my mindset anyway, you're trying to reset quickly and seeing what you can bring to the team for the next 50, 60 minutes."
On the humble scoring return of Rebel forwards Hayes and Connolly, Cleary added: "That can be false at times when you see what they scored in the end, but they were dangerous outside of that.
"But listen, you are marked as a back on how your man does and yeah, we'd be happy enough with it."
Clare manager Brian Lohan was particularly effusive in his praise for his side's backs and Cleary, saying: "Coming up against the forward line that Cork have – and the potential that is off the bench – you really have to be at the top of your game, and I thought our full-back line were tremendous.
"Now, they've been tremendous all year but sometimes they get a bit of a bad rap – because you’re playing such quality players all the time, and the game now is a tough place inside there in the full-back line.
"This guy here is one of the toughest guys we have, so just delighted for him and delighted for all his colleagues."
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