Clare 2-24
Kerry 1-15
Eoin Brennan reports from Austin Stack Park, Tralee
A NEW CHAPTER for Clare hurling under three-in-a-row All-Ireland U21 winning duo Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney began on a winning note in Austin Stack Park, Tralee as they eventually pulled away from their hosts this afternoon in the Co-Op Superstores Munster SHL.
A goal in each half through Kevin Hehir and Podge Collins were enough to separate the sides as despite a consolation goal from Mikey Boyle, the Banner finished with eight of the last nine points to comfortably get off the mark for 2017.
After an even preamble, the visitors settled with five unanswered points, two from their most lively forward David Reidy, on their way to a 0-9 to 0-4 advantage by the 20th minute. Kerry also had goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole to thank for keeping them in touch, pulling off two superb saves to deny Reidy and Aron Shanagher.
Inspired by this along with the aid of a slight breeze, the hosts recovered fully by the 30th minute, mainly through Shane Nolan placed balls, with centre-back Pa Kelly providing the equalising score against his native county at 0-10 to 0-10. However, Clare quickly closed the door, with Kevin Hehir firing 1-1 to ensure a 1-12 to 0-11 interval lead.
Despite Kerry operating with a sweeper on the turnover, that goal would provide a comfortable cushion as Seadna Morey cut out any defensive threat.
Captain Podge Collins and home favourite Mikey Boyle swapped goals but with Clare expectedly finishing stronger, they fleshed out the final margin to provide a successful first defence of their Munster League title.
Scorers for Clare: David Reidy 0-10 (0-9f, 0-1’65); Podge Collins 1-3; Kevin Hehir 1-1; Cathal McInerney, Peter Duggan (0-1 pen) 0-2 each; Aaron Cunningham, Jason McCarthy, Cathal Malone, Seadna Morey, Aron Shanagher, Colm Galvin 0-1 each
Scorers for Kerry: Shane Nolan 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65); Mikey Boyle 1-0; Jordan Conway, John Egan 0-2 each; Padraig Boyle, Paudie O’Connor, Pa Kelly, Thomas Casey 0-1 each
Clare
1. Andrew Fahey (Whitegate)
4. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
3. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
2. Eoin Quirke (Whitegate)
5. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
6. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
7. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate)
8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
9. Kevin Hehir (Inagh-Kilnamona)
10. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
11. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
12. Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones)
15. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe)
14. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
13. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
Subs
23. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin) for McInerney (42)
25. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge) for Hehir (57)
24. Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara) for Collins (62)
18. Shane McNamara (Clooney-Quin) for Quirke (65)
17. Cian Dillon (Crusheen) for Bugler (65)
Kerry
1. Martin Stackpoole (Lixnaw)
2. Sean Weir (Crotta O’Neills)
3. Rory Horgan (St Brendan’s)
4. Bryan Murphy (Causeway)
5. John Buckley (Lixnaw)
6. Pa Kelly (Clarecastle)
7. Darren Dineen (St Brendan’s)
8. Paudie O’Connor (Kilmoyley)
9. Thomas Casey (Causeway)
20. Padraig Boyle (Ballyduff)
11. Daniel Collins (Kilmoyley)
12. Mikey Boyle (Ballyduff)
13. John Egan (St Brendan’s)
14. Shane Nolan (Crotta O’Neills)
15. Jordan Conway (Crotta O’Neills)
Subs
18. James O’Connor (Abbeydorney) for Horgan (49, inj)
17. Billy Lyons (Causeway) for Buckley (49)
22. Fionán Horgan (St Brendan’s) for Casey (53, inj)
24. John Griffin (Lixnaw) for Egan (60)
23. Philip Lucid (Balyheigue) for P. Boyle (66)
Referee: Jason Mullins (Limerick)
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Mega :)
Blessed with such strength and depth now, hope we make the most of it. Heres to a healthy and successful 2015!
Have you been watching the provinces recently? Scrums in reverse all over the gaff.
Two world class players that I wish were kiwi. Hopefully they’ll bring back what Leinster have been missing.. Grunt and efficiency up front combined with some destructive ball carrying.
Great news coming into world cup year but the best thing is, they won’t just walk back into the team, they will have to fight for their place because the other lads have done so well in their absence. Happy days.
If fit both are automatic choices.
Nobody has come anywhere near performing even close to healys level. Scrum has been going backwards for ages.
The boys are back in town :-)
Hope Sean takes his time and comes back without injury concern. God have mercy on any team facing both him and Healy back on form! Exciting times ahead.
We still have time to sharpen up and blow Wasps and Castres away in January. Positive vibes chaps! Is MOC giving in on his stubborn ideology a little or is that just me? The last 3 games seem to be at least TRYING to sort out the problem areas? Is it just my wishful thinking?
Cian until we play with half backs that can move the ball we will not get any better.
No back tries created since away to traviso.
Reddan (Mc Grath 21), Madigan 10, Reid 12, Fitzy 13 please please please
Leinster have been getting very little forward ball for the their half backs to be fair.
Brilliant news, possible inclusion for the last two crucial pool games of the Champions Cup would be excellent and have them battle hardened for the 6 Nations :)
As Leinster was the only Irish team to win last weekend and showed a marked improvement in cohesiveness, when these two players become available it can only strengthen the squad. Running the ball requires winning the ball first and that is why the old saying ” forwards win matches the backs by how much”. Next Friday will show just how much Leinster’s forwards have improved as I am quite sure the breakdown will be contested with the usual Munster vigour that earned them a comprehensive win last time out.
Brian the breakdown was handed to Munster because someone though it was a good idea to put only one or two players into the ruck v Munster.
Hopefully Leo will have enough balls about him to speak up this time and tell Matt that unless your forwards meet Munster head on with at least if not more numbers at the ruck your going to get your ArSe handed to you