Preamble
Afternoon all. Clare’s fairytale journey through the backdoor brings them to the big stage to face a Kerry side itching for another crack at Dublin in the last four. Colm Collins’s men are a nice mix of youthful exuberance (Keelan Sexton, Jamie Malone and Eoin Cleary) and experienced veterans (Gary Brennan, David Tubridy and Gordon Kelly).
They meet a Kerry group who have failed to ignite in the championship so far, but much of that can be put down to low-key wins over Tipperary and Clare. Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s team have done just about enough to breeze through both of their championship games to date. Arriving into Croke Park and with a possible rematch with Dublin on the horizon will be enough to focus the Kingdom minds.
Throw-in for the last eight clash between Kerry and Clare is at 2pm. Coverage starts on RTÉ One at 1.25pm.
Team news
Here’s how the sides will line out:
Kerry
1. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion)
2. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
3. Mark Griffin (St Michaels/Foilmore)
4. Killian Young (Renard)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
6. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
7. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
8. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks)
9. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
10 Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
11. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)
13. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)
Clare
1. Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)
21. Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
3. Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)
4. Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
5. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6. Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s Milltown)
2. Dean Ryan (Eire Og Ennis)
8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
10. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
7. Sean Collins (Cratloe)
12. Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
13. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Milltown)
14. David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
11. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Some pre-match reading for you ahead of both of today’s quarter-finals.
One late change on the Clare team. Podge Collins comes into the starting lineup for Keelan Sexton, who will be held in reserve.
Gordon Kelly receives an early yellow card for Clare for a high challenge on Peter Crowley.
Kerry 0-1 Clare 0-0
Paul Geaney kicks Kerry into the lead after a short 45 by David Moran.
Both teams have set-up fairly similar, leaving just two forwards up front with everyone dropping back.
David Tubridy’s 45 brings Clare level.
Shane Enright hits the post but the referee pulls it back for a free, which James O’Donoghue converts.
Kerry 0-3 Clare 0-2
Paul Geaney’s second point arrives shortly afterwards. Geaney is looking dangerous. Eoin Cleary kicks a close range free moments later to reduce the gap to one.
CHANCE! Geaney pulled off a fantastic catch in the air and fisted to Donnchadh Walsh who tried to palm the ball into the net, but Joe Hayes saved well.
Walsh should have done better from close range there. Big chance for Kerry.
Kerry 0-3 Clare 0-3
Tubridy taps a 21m free over the bar. All Clare’s scores have come from frees so far.
Kerry 1-3 Clare 0-3
GOAL! Donnachadh Walsh finds the net after a fortuitous assist by Paul Murphy.
Kerry 1-5 Clare 0-3
O’Donoghue puts Kerry five in front.
Kerry 1-6 Clare 0-3
Clare are struggling to really hurt Kerry in attack. They’ve yet to score from play. Meanwhile Darran O’Sullivan kicks Kerry six in front.
Kerry 1-7 Clare 0-3
Donnchadh Walsh swings one over from distance. Bit by bit, Kerry are stretching out of touch.
Kerry 1-7 Clare 0-4
Clare’s first score in 20 minutes arrives after an incisive run forward by Dean Ryan. Pearse Lillis fires it over to leave six between these sides as half-time approaches.
Half-time: Kerry 1-8 Clare 0-4
O’Donoghue swings over a free from close range.
Kerry lead after going through the motions in the first-half. Clare haven’t performed too badly, but they’re finding scores hard to come by.
We’re back underway for the second-half. Can Clare pull this back?
Kerry 1-8 Clare 0-5
Wonderful score from Jamie Malone after a good run down the right wing.
Keelan Sexton has replaced Cian O’Dea at half-time and he lines up on Clare’s last line of attack.
GOAL! Darran O’Sullivan rips it into the roof of the net! Joe Hayes had no chance!
Kerry 2-8 Clare 0-5
Clare will be disappointing with that goal, having started this second-half well.
Kerry 2-8 Clare 0-7
Tubridy’s first score from open play leaves them seven behind.
Kerry 2-8 Clare 0-7
Tadhg Morley has been black carded for tripping Jamie Malone to the ground. Eoin Cleary sends the free wide off the post. Kerry have been sloppy since the goal.
Aidan O’Mahony has come in for Morley. Barry John Keane replaces Donnchadh Walsh.
Kerry 2-9 Clare 0-7
O’Donoghue swings over a free from the right-hand side.
Anthony Maher is on for Kieran Donaghy
Kerry 2-10 Clare 0-7
Keane is always good for a few scores when he comes in. He curls over an impressive score off the left foot after a winding run.
CHANCE! Dean Ryan misses a golden chance to fire a goal for the Banner after an incisive run forward by Gary Brennan.
Moments later Podge Collins is blocked down as he tries to orchestrate a goal.
CHANCE! Somehow Care failed to find the net as Aidan O’Mahony did brilliantly to clear the ball off the line. Jamie Malone’s effort struck the post before O’Mahony’s intervention.
Kerry 2-11 Clare 0-8
Cleary curls over the free for Clare.
Kerry 2-13 Clare 0-8
Sheehan sends over a free for Kerry as Keane kicks his third score since arriving off the bench. Ten minutes to go here.
Kerry 2-13 Clare 0-9
Pat Burke receives a pass from Podge Collins and kicks a nice score.
Kerry 2-15 Clare 0-9
Geaney (free) and O’Donoghue kick a point apiece to stretch the lead.
A few nice shots of Darran O’Sullivan’s goal and celebration.
Tony Brosnan arrives onto the field to make his Kerry debut, replacing former Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue who has come through his championship return unscathed.
Kerry 2-16 Clare 0-9
11 wides in total for Kerry.
Kerry 2-16 Clare 0-11
Clare have another goal chance but Jamie Malone’s strike cannons off the crossbar. Those chances just haven’t gone in today. Cleary kicks a free moments later.
Full-time: Kerry 2-16 Clare 0-11
No surprises as Kerry canter into the last four.
