Kerry 0-32
Clare 0-10
Paul Brennan reports from Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
KERRY REMAIN ON course for a sixth Munster title on the trot after a youthful side containing seven championship debutants accounted for Clare by 22 points this afternoon.
A crowd of almost 17,000 turned up to see what the future of Kerry football looks like and it looks good, although Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his players will know context is everything.
Clare were woeful all through this contest and it was shades of the 1980s and 1990s rather than the positive overtures Clare football has been making in the last few seasons under Colm Collins.
Tougher tests lie ahead for the summer but 32 points — 23 from play — is decent kicking, even if the long wait for a Kerry goal continues; it’s six games now since they raised a green flag.
That would be nit-picking on a day when the defending Munster champions were clinical in their point scoring.
New boys Sean O’Shea, David Clifford and Michael Burns scored 11 points between them, enough to beat Clare on it own, and the Kingdom now have three weeks to lay their plans for a long-waited return to Pairc Ui Chaoimh to face Cork in a provincial decider.
When James O’Donoghue slung over his first point it meant all six Kerry forwards had scored from play by the 21st minute, at which stage Kerry led 0-10 to 0-3, as Clare’s challenge trailed off before it really began.
Fitzmaurice will be pleased with the purpose and pace with which his players went at Clare; something that was often lacking in their league performances.
Strange, then, that Clare scored the first two points of the game through Eoin Cleary and Pearse Lillis but once Kerry hit their straps they simply crushed the visitors.
Burns landed Kerry’s first point, followed by scores from teenagers O’Shea and Clifford, and they were four points to the good when David Tubridy scored Clare’s third from a tight angle.
Paul Geaney responded with a brace of extremely well carved out scores to put Kerry five ahead, and scores from Stephen O’Brien, O’Donoghue, Burns, O’Shea — before Jack Barry blasted the ball over the bar with just Eamonn Tubridy to beat — helped Kerry to an unassailable 0-16 to 0-4 half time lead.
The second half was target practice for Kerry, with Barry John Keane coming in to kick three points from play.
Cameo appearances from Anthony Maher, Darran O’Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy raised cheers from the home support as the Clare contingent headed out early for the ferry home, and it’s three weeks now before Kerry will hope for a similar performance against Cork in the Munster final on Leeside.
Scorers for Kerry: S O’Shea 0-7 (4f, 1 ’45′), P Geaney 0-7 (1f), J O’Donoghue 0-4 (2f), S O’Brien 0-3, BJ Keane 0-3, M Burns 0-2, D Clifford 0-2 (1f), J Barry, A Maher, M Geaney, D O’Sullivan (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: E Cleary 0-5 (4f), D Tubridy (1f) and J Malone (0-2 each), P Lillis 0-1.
Kerry:
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
2. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
3. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
4. Ronan Shanahan (Austin Stacks)
5. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
10. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare)
12. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. James O’Donoghue (Legion)
Subs:
23. Mikey Geaney (Dingle) for M Burns (46)
19. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys) for J O’Donoghue (53)
21. Anthony Maher (Duagh) for D Moran (57)
18. B Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) for R Shanahan (57)
20. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for D Clifford (60)
17. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) for S O’Shea (64)
Clare:
1. Eamon Tubridy (Doonbeg)
2. Gordon Kelly (Miltown Malbay)
3. Killian Brennan (Clondegad)
4. Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)
5. Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
6. Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
7. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
10. Kieran Malone (Miltown Malbay)
11. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s, Miltown)
12. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
24. Conal Ó hAinifein (Éire Óg)
14. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15. David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
Subs:
22. Gearoid O’Brien (Kilrush) for K Malone (45)
13. Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg) for D Tubridy (53)
19. Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) for K Sexton (57)
23. Eanna O’Connor Éire Óg) for C Ó hAinifein (59)
20. Conor Finucane (Lissycasey) for C O’Dea (66)
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
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As a Leinster fan I wish Ulster and Munster well in the quarter finals. Its good to see two Irish teams still in it.
Bad luck Leinster, still it’s good to see Munster got trough.
As a leinster fan I’m sorry to see it happen but it was inevitable after the home Clermont match. In the years we won it we always had a dominating player in the pack – Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines, Brad Thorn – a guy other teams feared for their physicality and general intensity. These guys were abrasive personalites.
Leo Cullen, while a phenomenal captain, isn’t that sort of player. Devin Toner has no place on a Heineken cup team. He is neither abrasive or talented. The back row and front row, while all physically abrasive, seem not to be thorny individuals. We need someone getting in the face of opponents, on and off the ball. We need someone like the three above, like Dennis Leamy.
I agree for the most part, Cian Healy & Sean O Brien are both mean fookers. I think Leinster need a serious edge in the 2nd row.
Ahhhhh hahahahahaha…I love to see Irish teams doing well but for all the Leinster fans giving Munster fans sh*t over the years…sit on that!
Don’t gloat Thómas, Munster have been there before and will be again. Hard luck to Leinster, tough way to exit the competition. Munster abú.
don’t known any leinster fans that don’t support Munster in the Heineken. Get the chip off your shoulder
There’s no chip on my shoulder. Like I said I always like to see the Irish teams doing well but over the last few years Leinster fans felt the need to have a go at Munster while they were doing well so today I’ll revel in it
I’m sure there is a few idiot Leinster supporters who do give grief Tomás, just as Munster have a few fans like you. Any best of luck Munster and Ulster.
Terrible immature attitude, a man shouldn’t lower himself regardless of what when before. You’re only feeding a cycle of hate.
Sorry Tomas but years of ladyboy crap started all that stuff.
As for yesterday Leinster didn’t qualify because clermont beat us twice not because Munster scored more trys against the second team of 8th best team in France with 14 men.
Tomas when you win the title in Dublin ( and I really hope you do) then gloat all you want because if like last year when we won if you go to France and win a semi final you will deserve to be called the best team in Europe.
Leinster will now have a crack at the Amlin and the rabbo, if we win a title it will be enough to regroup for next year.
Fair play to Simon Zebo yesterday super display and will make the loss of tommy Bowe less hard to take next month.
Hard luck Leinster! Good to have 2 Irish teams still there hopefully if all goes to plan at Welford Road. Munster abu!
I’m all about international rugby, but it’s like a guilty pleasure knocking leinster out of the European cup while qualifying for the quarters.
Hard luck to Leinster and tough way to leave the competition…….
Are they the first champions to go out at pool stage?
Where was this famous strength in depth they always bang on about?
3. 2. Now
3. 2. Next may
Yawn !
Posted on 20/1/2013 is this the Journal’s April’s fool days contribution?