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Kerry's Shane Enright with Clare duo Martin McMahon and Gordon Kelly Tommy Greally/INPHO
the kingdom come

Kerry return to All-Ireland semi-final stage with 11-point success over Clare

A semi-final on 28 August is next up for the Munster champions.

Kerry 2-16
Clare 0-11

Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park

KERRY PLOTTED A route back to the All-Ireland semi-final stage, goals in either half from Donnchadh Walsh and Darran O’Sullivan the key moments as they swept past Clare today in Croke Park.

It wasn’t the most convincing of Kingdom displays yet they did what was required in increasing the tempo at important stages to ensure they claimed a second championship win of the summer against Clare.

The Banner, newcomers to this last eight juncture, were brave and tenacious. They were tied at 0-3 apiece after 17 minutes as they settled quickly to the tempo of the game but they lacked the guile up front to make notable marks on the scoreboard.

The concession of that Walsh goal in the 20th minute was a fatal setback from which Clare never recovered. There was a freakish element to it as Paul Murphy lost control of the ball but it hit his back heel and spun forward perfectly into the path of Walsh, who slammed a shot to the net.

Kerry were ahead 1-8 to 0-4 at the break and their second goal in the 41st minute essentially sealed the deal. There was no fortune to this score as Darran O’Sullivan gathered a Paul Geaney offload, powered through and rocketed a shot to the roof of the net past Joe Hayes in front of the Davin End.

Clare did enjoy a bright start to the second-half, adding three points to their tally courtesy of Jamie Malone and David Tubridy (2) by the 43rd minute. They trailed 2-8 to 0-7 at that stage and worked furiously to try to hit the net in the second-half.

Podge Collins and Shane Enright Clare's Podge Collins battles for the ball with Kerry's Shane Enright. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Luck was against them on a couple of occasions with Dean Ryan’s effort half-blocked in the 51st minute and the ball knocked against the upright. Then in injury-time Jamie Malone smacked a fierce drive against the Kerry crossbar and Clare never stopped trying to make things happen.

For Kerry, Barry John Keane made an impression when sprung from the bench as he shot 0-3 from play while James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney also offered a threat in front of goal.

They posted a series of late points to push them clear. The winners of next Saturday’s clash between Dublin and Donegal are next up on 28 August.

Colm Collins Eamonn Fitzmaurice shake hands after the game Clare boss Colm Collins and Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice shake hands after the game. Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Kerry: Darran O’Sullivan 1-2, James O’Donoghue 0-5 (0-3f), Donnchadh Walsh 1-1, Barry John Keane, Paul Geaney (0-1f) 0-3 each, Stephen O’Brien, Bryan Sheehan (0-1f),

Scorers for Clare: David Tubridy (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Eoin Cleary (0-4f) 0-4 each, Jamie Malone, Pearse Lillis, Pat Burke 0-1 each.

Kerry

1. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion)

7. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
3. Mark Griffin (St Michaels/Foilmore)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)

2. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
4. Killian Young (Renard)
6. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)

8. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks)
9. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)

12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)
13. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
11. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

10. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)

Subs

18. Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore) for Morley (black card) (44)
20. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys) for Walsh (44)
19. Anthony Maher (Duagh) for Donaghy (47)}
21. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) for Crowley (53)
17. Bryan Sheehan (St Mary’s) for Moran (53)
26. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) for O’Donoghue (66)

Clare

1. Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)

4. Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
3. Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)
21. Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

2. Dean Ryan (Eire Og Ennis)
6. Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s Milltown)
5. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)

8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)

7. Sean Collins (Cratloe)
18. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
13. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Milltown)

12. Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
14. David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
10. Jamie Malone (Corofin)

Subs

11. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for Cian O’Dea (half-time)
17. Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis, Dublin) for Tubridy (47)
19. Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for O’Connor (49)
15. Pat Burke (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin) for Hickey (57)
20. Seanie Malone (St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay) for Kelly (64)

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

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