Clare 0-12
Kerry 0-9
Paul Brennan reports from Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
CLARE BOOKED THEIR place in the McGrath Cup final after a rare but deserved win over Kerry in Killarney this afternoon, rendering next weekend’s meeting between Kerry and Tipperary a dead rubber as the Banner advance with maximum points from their two group games.
It didn’t look so good for Clare as they trailed 0-3 to 0-7 at half time but they were a transformed side in the second half, outscoring a callow Kerry side by nine points to two.
It was a wholly unrecognisable Kerry team from that which lost last year’s All-Ireland Final, and while manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice voiced his satisfaction at the positive attitude on show from his players, just how many, if any, of this squad make the cut for a National League panel remains to be seen.
With the current Kerry squad only returning from their winter holiday on Friday, Fitzmaurice had to dip deep into the county’s reserves for a panel for this game, with just two under-21 players joining an eclectic choice of club footballers.
Clare came with a far more recognisable team, with Gary Brennan, Sean Collins and Enda Coughlan – among others – lending plenty of experience to the Banner.
The early exchanges typified early January football; both teams were tentative and rusty. Podge O’Connor’s fisted point in the 19th minute made it 0-3 apiece before Kerry rounded out the half with scores from Jamie O’Sullivan, Jeff O’Donoghue and two Gavan O’Grady frees to lead by four at the interval.
It took Clare a few minutes to get going after the break, but in benign conditions two points from substitute David Tubridy and another from Eoin Cleary had the visitors back in contention. Keelan Sexton levelled it after 49 minutes and Sean Collins kicked Clare into the lead after 56 minutes.
In the 69th minute Cleary’s point put Clare 0-11 to 0-8 ahead and a late exchange of scores made no difference to the outcome.
Kerry head to Tipperary next weekend for a game of no material consequence although Fitzmaurice will want to use the game to run the rule over some of these players again.
As for Clare they have a weekend off before facing one of Cork, Limerick or Waterford in the final.
Scorers for Clare: Eoin Cleary 0-4 (0-1f), David Tubridy 0-3 (0-1f), Cathal O’Connor 0-2 (0-1 ‘45), Keelan Sexton, Martin O’Leary, S Collins 0-1 each.
Kerry: Gavan O’Grady (0-3f), Jamie O’Sullivan (0-2f) 0-3 each, Jeff O’Donoghue 0-2 (0-1f), Philip O’Connor 0-1.
Clare
1. Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)
2. Manus Malone (Corofin)
6. Gordon Kelly (St Josephs Milltown)
5. Enda Ralph (Ennistymon)
23. Pierce Lillis (Cooraclare)
14. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
4. Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
8. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
9. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
10. Sean Collins (Cratloe)
11. Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
12. Thomas Downes (Cooraclare)
13. Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Milltown)
7. Kieran Malone (Corofin)
24. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs
25. Conor O’Halloran Eire Og Ennis) for M Malone (half time)
17. David Tubridy (Doonbeg) for T Downes (half time)
20. Damien Burke (Cooraclare) for E Coughlan (inj, 40)
18. Graham Kelly (St Joesphs Milltown) for E Ralph (51)
15. Martin O’Leary (Kilmihill) for Kieran Malone (52)
21. Sean Haugh (O’Currys) for K Sexton (63)
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Kilcummin)
2. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
3. Ger Hartnett (Beaufort)
4. Paul O’Sullivan (Valentia)
5. Padraig O’Connor (Killarney Legion)
6. Damien O’Sullivan (Killarney Legion)
7. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
8. Brendan O’Sullivan (Valentia)
9. Wayne Guthrie (Austin Stacks)
10. Philip O’Connor (Cordal)
11. Jamie O’Sullivan (Killarney Legion)
12. Shane O’Callaghan (Austin Stacks)
13. Pa Joy (Laune Rangers)
14. Gavin O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar)
15. Jeff O’Donoghue (Glenflesk)
Subs
17. Shaun Keane (Killarney Legion) for W Guthrie (45)
18. Darragh O’Brien (Austin Stacks) for P Joy (49)
19. Kieran Crowley (Laune Rangers) for J O’Sullivan (52)
21. Maurice Foley (Laune Rangers) for T O’Sullivan (52)
7. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle) for K Crowley (black card, 63)
11. Jamie O’Sullivan (Legion) for S O’Callaghan (64)
Referee: Michael Collins (Cork)
100 per cent player , great to be player of the year with his club .