Kerry 2-22
Cavan 2-10
Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park
DAVID CLIFFORD PRODUCED another masterclass in front of goal as he struck 1-10 in Kerry’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor football semi-final success against Cavan this afternoon.
The Kingdom captain was on song from the off as he hit three points from play in the opening quarter and when he swung over the final point of the game deep in injury-time, he had amassed 1-7 in total from open play.
His contribution helped Kerry advance to another All-Ireland minor decider and they will bid for a fourth consecutive crown at this level against Dublin or Derry next month.
Cavan always faced a tough task against a Kerry team who have been extremely impressive this summer. But the Ulster finalists started brightly to go 0-2 to 0-1 ahead with Oisín Pierson and James Smith emerging from the start as two of the most dominant players on show.
However Cavan were wasteful in front of goal in the first half and Kerry stamped their class with six unanswered points to go 0-10 to 0-3 clear by the 26th minute.
Cavan got a boost before the break as they finished the half strongly to trail 0-11 to 1-4 at the interval. The goal arrived in the 27th minute when Patrick Lynch’s long delivery caused chaos in the Kerry goalmouth and it was eventually diverted to the net by Pierson.
Kerry emerged for the second-half and quickly set about settling the contest. They hit 1-6 in the third quarter and shut up shop at the back to ensure their final place was secured.
The goal arrived in the 35th minute when Clifford rolled the ball to the net after he had been denied moments previously by a point-blank save from Cavan goalkeeper Gary O’Rourke.
While the captain was the star up front for Kerry, he was ably supported by corner-forwards Brian Friel and Fiachra Clifford. Rathmore man Friel chipped in with 0-4 in an impressive showing while Laune Rangers attacker Clifford weighed in with 0-2.
To their credit Cavan battled to the finish and a scoring spree of 1-5 saw them cut Kerry’s lead to five points, 1-17 to 2-9, with four minutes of normal time remaining. Smith finished with aplomb for their second goal after another high ball caused discomfort for the Kerry rearguard.
But again Kerry were able to up the ante when required with Clifford scoring 0-3 in the finale and substitute Jack Griffin helped himself to 1-1 as the Peter Keane managed side triumphed impressively.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-10 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Brian Friel 0-4, Jack Griffin 1-1, Fiachra Clifford 0-2, Barry Mahony, Diarmuid O’Connor, Donal O’Sullivan (0-1f), Donnchadh O’Sullivan, Eddie Horan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cavan: Oisín Pierson 1-5 (0-2f), James Smith 1-2, Ronan Patterson, Cian Madden, Philip Rogers 0-1 each.
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Kerry
1. Deividas Uosis (Dingle)
2. Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin)
3. Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk)
4. Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion)
5. Patrick Warren (Gneeveguilla)
6. Michael Potts (Dr. Crokes)
7. Niall Donohue (Firies)
8. Barry Mahony (St. Senans)
9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
10. Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds)
11. David Clifford (Fossa)
12. Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan)
13. Fiáchra Clifford (Laune Rangers)
14. Donnchadh O’Sullivan (Firies)
15. Brian Friel (Rathmore)
Subs
21. Jack Griffin (Dr Crokes) for Donnchadh O’Sullivan (43)
17. Eddie Horan (Scartaglen) for Warren (47)
24. Cathal Ferriter (Annascaul) for Donal O’Sullivan (51)
18. Ciarán O’Reilly (Austin Stacks) for Fiachra Clifford (57)
22. Michael O’Leary (Renard) for Mahony (inj) (61)
19. Ryan O’Neill (Na Gaeil) for Gammell (68)
Cavan
1. Gary O’Rourke (Ballyhaise)
2. John Cooke (Crosserlough)
3. Evan Fortune (Cavan Gaels)
17. Ryan Coyle (Lacken)
5. Philip Nulty (Knockbride)
6. Cormac Timoney (Ballinagh)
7. Danny Cusack (Lavey)
8. Ronan Patterson (Ramor United)
9. James Smith (Crosserlough)
10. Ruairí Curran (Swanlinbar)
11. Cian Madden (Gowna)
12. Philip Rogers (Knockbride)
13. Oisín Pierson (Gowna)
14. Patrick Lynch (Crosserlough)
20. Oisín Kiernan (Denn)
Subs
21. Seán Keogan (Ramor United) for Kiernan (inj) (half-time)
4. Killian Brady (Ramor United) for Coyle (38)
22. Niall McCabe (Knockbride) for Lynch (45)
15. Tiarnan Rielly (Drung) for Curran (51)
18. Patrick Meade (Kingscourt) for Patterson (inj) (60)
19. Ryan Madden (Gowna) for Timoney (66)
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)
I don’t often support nordies, but this one would be an exception…..
@Jumperoo: They’re welcome to you.
@Jumperoo: Jealous?
@Jumperoo: Shock horror: Non Dublin supporter would like to see Dublin lose
@Jumperoo: bitter much
@Jumperoo: As a Nordie il be in the Dublin camp!
@Denis McGrath: Awww sore loser Denis?
Dublin for Sam
@Bruce Lee: very brainey,,
@Bruce Lee: not this year. Kildare put it up to ye on Sunday broke through yer defence too easy. Only for the too giveaway goals it could have went the other way.
@Finbarr Lucey: Your command of the English language is something to behold. Your teacher should be shot.
@Finbarr Lucey: dream on, Dublin had another gear and only used when they had to
@Finbarr Lucey: have a soft spot for Kildare hope they get a semi final out of the all Ireland this year but watching the game on Sunday, Dublin never came out of 1st gear, there was another level in them, once they went 9points ahead after 11 or so mins they just cruised, never felt they were going to lose. Can’t see past them again this year.
@Finbarr Lucey: come on now Finbarr that wasn’t even our best team
While I admire what Dublin have done and how they play the game their fans have being insufferable these past few years. You would swear no other team has ever won anything. I think the gap has also closed this year.
Tyrone VS Kerry final
@phil: Poor Phil
@phil: I see just as many bitter, mean spirited and jealous comments about us from fans of other counties as I do cocky remarks from our own fans…they’re all as bad as each other, if you ask me. We spent a lot of years watching Dublin come up short, so you can’t begrudge us enjoying seeing our county setting the standard for others. Good luck with your final prediction, but I’m not sure that Tyrone can stop them.
@Alan Morrissey: Best of luck Alan. I spent my childhood in Co. Cavan, surrounded by Dublin blow ins who sagged us off for playing GAA. Now the very same people are “Dublin die hard, life long fans”. I suspect it is them who are the biggest group insufferable Dubs.
@phil: listening to the pundits too you would also think no one else has either. Creating the dublin vs the rest if the country attitude on both sides.
Thinking too far ahead, a lot can happen in between.
@Frainc Ó Broin: The sport is unfortunately very predictable and the qualifiers on that side of the draw aren’t playing well.
@Rochelle: I think both Monaghan and Kildare would stand a good chance against Tyrone.
@Rochelle: Tell that to Roscommon
If and when they do meet( no disrespect to the other counties), I’d fancy Tyrone to suffocate that excellent Dublin attack. Can they convert at the other end though ? We’ll have to wait and see. My money’s on Tyrone..
@Harry Corry: I will have some of that with you, happy to take your money. Let’s go big.
@Harry Corry: That’s the big question. Or will they go into safe mode in the last 10-15 mins like they did in the league game?
@Harry Corry: I fancy the Dubs to take them. Jim Gavin has freshened up his team this year and I think they’re in a better position than last year when they looked jaded by August
@Brendan Farrell: they played Kerry in August last year, that game showed they were any but jaded. Fantastic game of football
Tyrone aren’t at the Dublin level, even if they suffocate the attack they don’t have enough to outscore them. Kerry are the big danger for them. Dublin winning 3 in a row is unacceptable in their world and they are gunning for them. There’ll still be some decent games getting there but it’ll be a thunderous all Ireland final.
Sam is staying put. Simples. Nobody is good enough to stop us. Fact.
@The Jacket: Kerry were good enough to beat them in the league!
@Sean Murnin: Hup the kingdom! Also if Dublin and Tyrone do meet, it will be a bloodbath, I’m one of those sadistic types that enjoys watching them batter each other up and down the pitch. Kerry for Sam though
@Sean Murnin: That wasn’t Sam though, Dublin have had Kerry’s number in the championship for the last 6 years…..we waited long enough for that to happen, mind.
@Sean Murnin: Because league form dictates how the championship is going to play out right?
@Ciara Baines: Well it has for Dublin from 2013 – 2016
I wouldn’t rule Kildare out against Tyrone if they meet. A couple of things didn’t go their way yesterday and I think they could cause an upset yet. Tyrone have the duvet to frustrate Dublin but this Dublin attack only needs a foot or two of space to cause damage. It would be some semi and could take it out of the winner ahead of a final.
It’s a mouth watering prospect. I reckon it’s set up for Kerry, safely on the other side of the draw.
There’s a reason why 3 in a row is so difficult to do. Dublin’s strength in depth could see them do it but I reckon the favourites would be Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone in that order.
@Cian Nolan: how could Kerry be possibly favourites.
@Phil Moran: well Dublin failed to beat Kerry in two attempts already this year. Kerry have won 3 minor ALL Ireland’s back to back and Kerry have the “easier” route to the final. So I can see why some people would favour them.
@TheSecretAnorak: the easier route can work against you. Kerry could be going into an all Ireland final without a real test against a battle hardened team
Hang on there, Tyrone beat Down, seriously when was the last time Down were competetive? Tyrone blew it against Mayo last year. They had 4 golden chances to level the game vs Mayo and missed each 1. So what suggests they can be serious challengers? I would like to see them challenge but the media are going into overdrive about them without any substance. 2 Ulsters titles on the bounce means nothing if you can’t make it past August.
Kildare could rattle.tyrone yet
Going by the headline neither team have to play a quarter final
Tyrone could certainly beat Dublin but they would need to be at their best to do it. I have nothing but respect for the Dubs. A great team but the gap has closed and i’m sure Tyrone would relish a match against them. Tyrone have it in them to beat this Dublin team.
Come on Tyrone
@billy Dorney: bitter rebel
I missed the quarter finals….I should have got sky and eir!
STUPID ARTICLE AND VERY DISRESPECTFUL TO THE 4 OTHER COUNTIES.
@Declan Brady: No need to shout!
@Ciara Baines: LOUD NOISES!!!!
@Thomas McGilly: No its not the other 4 counties don’t have a chance
@phil: It is, doesn’t matter if you would bet the house on em. A news article shouldn’t look past the next hurdle. It’s ok for us joe soaps on the bar stool to make assumptions.
@Declan Brady: dead right. Par for the course for this “journalist” I’m afraid.
The draw is nicely set up for Kerry to get through for another handy one
@John Brennan: yeah though they will be beaten in the final dublin has the edge better players in every position
C’mon T’rone!!!!
I’m a true believer in getting what u deserve dublin have the strength in depth to bet Tyrone but dublin have to up there game show that they want the 3 in a row and make history up the dubs
A tight game no doubt, tyrone will make it a dour affair and they will fancy their chances.
One game of top class hurling is better than a whole championship of this adulterated garbage. The biggest laugh of all is calling it football, there isn’t one half decent footballer amongst the lot of em.
@Leonard Barry: you were a serious footballer yourself I believe Len!
@Leonard Barry: until the injury got you!!