The Banner County came from four points down at half-time, 1-6 to 0-5, to clinch a heart stopping victory although Laois forward Louise Mahony twice went close to a dramatic winning goal for her side in the closing stages.
Mahony, who shot an impressive tally of six points, saw a late 20m free saved and after Laura Linnane struck the post at the other end in a frantic finish, Mahony watched her penalty sail over the crossbar with less than two minutes remaining.
As the referee added five minutes of injury-time, Clare hung on to book a fourth final at this grade and their opponents in the September 14 showpiece at Croke Park are Offaly, who overcame Waterford in last weekend’s semi-final.
Clare have been beaten in their previous three finals but confidence is high and some of the players also have an All-Ireland minor A final to look forward to.
Clare took an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead but after clawing their way back into contention, Laois led by 0-6 to 0-5 before Sarah Ann Fitzgerald struck for goal just on the stroke of half time to establish a four-point advantage.
Claire McMahon gave Clare the perfect start to the second half two minutes after the break and with ten minutes remaining, they led by 1-9 to 1-7 before that remarkable late finale.
Clare finished with seven different players on the scoresheet but they will feel that there is plenty more in the tank and there will need to be against Offaly in the final.
Clare had good performances from Claire Commane, Laura Linnane and Carina Rosengrave, who all finished the game with two points.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-finals have been refixed for next Sunday at Nowlan Park.
The Cork v Tipperary and Galway v Wexford encounters were postponed last Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch at the Kilkenny venue.
Times for the refixed matches will be confirmed by the National Camogie Association during the week.
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