KERRY’S OPENING CHAMPIONSHIP test went along expected lines as Clare proved obstinate hosts but would be powerless to halt the All-Ireland title holders from completing a twelve successive provincial victory in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis.
Bidding for a sixth Munster title in a row, the Kingdom were thankful to timely second-half goals for the Clifford brothers Paudie and David to finally shake off a resilient Banner.
Both sides were without key players through injury in what was their fourth annual clash. The last three were Munster Finals but there was only room for one in this year’s decider as Jack O’Connor’s side teed up a first decider in five years against neighbours Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Sunday week (1.45pm).
They led from start to finish in Ennis but never with the desired degree of comfort as Clare, under new manager Paul Madden, played with confidence and combativeness throughout.
Paudie and David Clifford kicked early two-point frees to move 0-7 to 0-03 clear, only to be inspirationally pegged back at the midway mark of the half by an Alan Sweeney flicked goal at the back post after great work from Brian McNamara.
That seesaw pattern would be replicated throughout the tie, starting with a five point Kerry surge in as many minutes that included a second two-point free for David Clifford to extend the gap to six by the 33rd minute.
However, Clare refused to yield at any stage as Mark McInerney arrowed over a two-pointer while also having a hand in a last gasp glorious goal chance that saw Fionn Kelleher nip in only to see his point blank shot denied by goalkeeper Shane Murphy at 0-13 to 1-06 by the break.
With the wind to come, Aaron Griffin lessened the damage to three on the resumption but their revolt would be scuppered somewhat when points for David Clifford and Micheál Burns were accentuated by a 42nd minute goal for Paudie Clifford.
David Clifford receiving a black card. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
It stemmed from a two-point attempt from his younger brother that fell short and broke kindly for Paudie to instinctively finish to the net at 1-15 to 1-07.
Even that hammerblow didn’t deter the home side who kicked four of the next five points through McInerney (3) and Connor Meaney to lower thew arrears to just five by the turn of the final quarter.
Dylan Casey’s fisted points did put six between them as the tie reached the last ten minutes. However, after home goalkeeper Tristan O’Callaghan had repelled a Sean O’Brien shot, Clare will be disappointed to see their resistance finally broken by a soft clinching goal on the hour mark as another David Clifford two-pointer attempt this time ended up in the far corner of the net amidst a scramble in the square.
Tested all afternoon by man-marker Ikem Ugwueru, Footballer of the Year Clifford wouldn’t finish the tie though as only a minute after the goal he received a black card.
It mattered little at that stage as a 14 man Kerry completed their fifteenth consecutive victory over the Banner in front of 5,526 to march on to yet another final whereas it’s a first ever Tailteann Cup campaign for their hosts.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-7 (2tpf); Paudie Clifford 1-3 (1tpf); Diarmuid O’Connor 0-3; Micheál Burns, Killian Spillane 0-2 each; Keith Evans, Dylan Casey 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney 0-6 (2tp, 1f); Aaron Griffin 0-4; Alan Sweeney 1-0; Connor Meaney 0-2; Brian McNamara, Cormac Murray 0-1 each
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Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Dr. Crokes)
2. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks)
8. Mark O’Shea (Dr. Crokes), 9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
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Cliffords combine for 2-10 as Kerry overcome gutsy Clare to reach Munster final
Kerry 2-19
Clare 1-14
Eoin Brennan reports from Ennis
KERRY’S OPENING CHAMPIONSHIP test went along expected lines as Clare proved obstinate hosts but would be powerless to halt the All-Ireland title holders from completing a twelve successive provincial victory in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis.
Bidding for a sixth Munster title in a row, the Kingdom were thankful to timely second-half goals for the Clifford brothers Paudie and David to finally shake off a resilient Banner.
Both sides were without key players through injury in what was their fourth annual clash. The last three were Munster Finals but there was only room for one in this year’s decider as Jack O’Connor’s side teed up a first decider in five years against neighbours Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Sunday week (1.45pm).
They led from start to finish in Ennis but never with the desired degree of comfort as Clare, under new manager Paul Madden, played with confidence and combativeness throughout.
Paudie and David Clifford kicked early two-point frees to move 0-7 to 0-03 clear, only to be inspirationally pegged back at the midway mark of the half by an Alan Sweeney flicked goal at the back post after great work from Brian McNamara.
That seesaw pattern would be replicated throughout the tie, starting with a five point Kerry surge in as many minutes that included a second two-point free for David Clifford to extend the gap to six by the 33rd minute.
However, Clare refused to yield at any stage as Mark McInerney arrowed over a two-pointer while also having a hand in a last gasp glorious goal chance that saw Fionn Kelleher nip in only to see his point blank shot denied by goalkeeper Shane Murphy at 0-13 to 1-06 by the break.
With the wind to come, Aaron Griffin lessened the damage to three on the resumption but their revolt would be scuppered somewhat when points for David Clifford and Micheál Burns were accentuated by a 42nd minute goal for Paudie Clifford.
It stemmed from a two-point attempt from his younger brother that fell short and broke kindly for Paudie to instinctively finish to the net at 1-15 to 1-07.
Even that hammerblow didn’t deter the home side who kicked four of the next five points through McInerney (3) and Connor Meaney to lower thew arrears to just five by the turn of the final quarter.
Dylan Casey’s fisted points did put six between them as the tie reached the last ten minutes. However, after home goalkeeper Tristan O’Callaghan had repelled a Sean O’Brien shot, Clare will be disappointed to see their resistance finally broken by a soft clinching goal on the hour mark as another David Clifford two-pointer attempt this time ended up in the far corner of the net amidst a scramble in the square.
Tested all afternoon by man-marker Ikem Ugwueru, Footballer of the Year Clifford wouldn’t finish the tie though as only a minute after the goal he received a black card.
It mattered little at that stage as a 14 man Kerry completed their fifteenth consecutive victory over the Banner in front of 5,526 to march on to yet another final whereas it’s a first ever Tailteann Cup campaign for their hosts.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-7 (2tpf); Paudie Clifford 1-3 (1tpf); Diarmuid O’Connor 0-3; Micheál Burns, Killian Spillane 0-2 each; Keith Evans, Dylan Casey 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney 0-6 (2tp, 1f); Aaron Griffin 0-4; Alan Sweeney 1-0; Connor Meaney 0-2; Brian McNamara, Cormac Murray 0-1 each
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Dr. Crokes)
2. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks)
8. Mark O’Shea (Dr. Crokes), 9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
10. Micheál Burns (Dr. Crokes), 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 12. Cillian Trant (St. Senan’s)
13. David Clifford (Fossa), 14. Paul Geaney (Dingle), 15. Keith Evans (Keel)
Subs
Clare
1. Tristan O’Callaghan (St. Breckan’s)
4. Manus Doherty (Éire Óg), 3. Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg), 11. Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
2. Alan Sweeney (St. Breckan’s), 6. Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), 5. Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon)
8. Brian McNamara (Cooraclare), 9. Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
10. Connor Meaney (Lissycasey), 12. Gavin Murray (Éire Óg), 7. Fionn Kelleher (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
13. Mark McInerney (Éire Óg), 14. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 15. Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Subs
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)
****
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