Kerry 0-17     Clare 3-04

Almost 12 months on from the night of one of Kerry’s lowest moments in the Munster MFC, the Kingdom survived a late onslaught from Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis last evening to book their place in this year’s final.

Last year Kerry surrendered an 11-point lead in the provincial semi-final against Tipperary before losing out but Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s current young guns were full value for this win that has set-up a Munster decider against the Premier — a team that already beat the Kingdom this season.
But O’Sullivan is more bullish ahead of the rematch: "We know that Tipp were probably 10 points the better team when we met them last but we are looking forward to another crack. We are a better team now, we are playing a better brand of football and the lads are getting more confident.
Leading 0-10 to 2-3 at half time, Kerry bossed the second period as Clare struggled, notching just 1-1. But Conor Cleary’s second goal — rifling home a 59th minute free — set-up a cracking finale, dragging them to within a point, 0-14 to 3-4.
Kerry didn’t panic though, instead they used the ball intelligently and worked scores from the excellent centre-back Ronan Murphy, and subs Sean Moloney and Niall Sheehy to guarantee a victory they deserved.
Trailing 0-2 to 0-1 after the early exchanges, it was Clare that made the first serious move of the game just five minutes in when full-forward Eoin Cleary was dragged down in the square after a surging run. His twin brother Conor was clinical with his penalty, passing the ball into the top right corner to send Clare 1-1 to 0-2 ahead.
And by the time their second goal arrived midway through the half, Kerry had outscored the home side 0-4 to 0-1 — to move 0-6 to 1-2 ahead.
With the Kerry full-back line looking very fragile early on, the excellent Clare skipper Jamie Malone took full advantage, driving past three Kerry backs before slipping home an excellent solo goal, as Clare hit the front again (2-2 to 0-6).
But as the half wore on Kerry settled with Cillian Fitzgerald (2), Gavin O’Shea and Conor Keane giving them a 0-10 to 2-3 ahead at the break.
A Darragh Carmody brace for Kerry was sandwiched by a Brian Crowley point and the visitors led 0-13 to 2-4, with 10 minutes left.
In a thrilling finale, Kerry held their nerve to book their final spot against a county that has held the upper-hand over them as this level in recent years.
Scorers for Kerry: J Savage (3f) 0-5, C Fitzgerald 0-3, C Keane, D Carmody 0-2 each, G O’Shea, B Crowley, R Murphy, S Moloney, N Sheehy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: C Cleary (1-0 pen, 1-1f) 2-1, J Malone 1-2, E Cleary 0-1f.
KERRY: G Curran; C Ó Luing, G Crowley, S O’Connor; B Crowley, R Murphy, G Horan; K Murphy, E Ó Conchúir; G O’Shea, J Savage, C Fitzgerald; D Carmody, D Daly, C Keane.
Subs: S Moloney for D Daly (ht); N Sheehy for J Savage (60); G O’Sullivan for C Fitzgerald (60).
CLARE: L Corbett; S Garry, F Pyne, J Brown; E Clancy, C Murray, C McNelis; J Malone, E Hanrahan; S Corry, N Deasy, K Malone; B Lynch, E Cleary, C Cleary.
Subs: S McGuire for F Pyne (ht); M O’Leary for K Malone (ht); J Downes for N Deasy (37); E Courtney for E Hanrahan (44); M Bohannon for C McNelis (50).
Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick).

    Wicklow footballers secured promotion to Division 3 at Aughrim yesterday when they beat Clare.

Victory was not easily achieved and Clare, who only needed a draw to get promoted, pushed Wicklow all the way. 

With just nine minutes left the sides were deadlocked at 1-12 apiece after Clare had wiped out a six-point deficit and then a chance of a goal was lost when a crucial move broke down in front of goal. 

Wicklow free-taker and corner-forward Tony Hannon, top scorer with 0-7, killed off Clare with his shooting skills. 

Clare trailed 1-8 to 1-6 at half-time, fell six points behind early in the second half before fighting back to level in the 61 minutes. But then they were reduced to 14 men with the sending off of full-back Shane McNeilies on a second yellow card and also lost influential midfielder Gary Brennan to injury. 

Scorers for Wicklow: T Hannon 0-7 (6fs), D Hayden 1-1, D Healy, L Glynn, S Furlong (1f) 0-2 each, J McGrath 0-1. 

Scorers for Laois: D Tubridy 0-7 (6fs), R Donnelly 1-1, S McGrath 0-2, G Brennan, S Brennan 0-1 each. 

WICKLOW: J Flynn; C Hyland, A McLoughlin, A Byrne; D Healy, M McLoughlin, S Kelly; J Stafford, R Finn; L Glynn, D O’Sullivan, D Hayden; T Hannon, S Furlong, J McGrath. 

Subs: S Byrne for M McLoughlin (64), A O’Malley for J McGrath (68). 

CLARE: J Hayes; B Hartnett, S McNeilies, L Healy; M McMahon, G Kelly, J Hayes; G Brennan, G Quinlan; G Kelly, S McGrath, A Clohessy; R Donnelly, D Tubridy, N Browne. 

Subs: C Kelly for G Kelly (ht), S Brennan for N Browne (ht), Sean Haugh for B Hartnett (ht), D Russell for G Brennan (48). 

Referee: C Lane (Cork).

Clare 2-20 Waterford 0-6

    Clare’s minor footballers gave their senior counterparts a boost ahead of today’s crucial Allianz Football League promotion battle with Wicklow when they trounced Waterford in last night’s Munster MFC opener at Cusack Park.

The Banner won the corresponding fixture by 14 points last year and this time the margin was even greater as Michael Neylon’s men qualified for a semi-final meeting with the winners of the losers’ group without ever breaking sweat. The game was already over as a contest at half-time with the home side leading 1-10 to 0-2, and with the talented Cleary brothers from Milltown-Malbay scoring 1-12 between them, they doubled their tally in the second half.

Scorers – Clare: E Cleary 1-6, C Cleary 0-6, C.Deasy 1-0, B Lynch, J Malone 0-3 each, N Deasy 0-2. Waterford: R Donnelly 0-5, D Scanlon 0-1.

Clare : L Corbett (Corofin); F Pyne (Killimer), S Garry (Cooraclare), J Brown (Kilrush); C McNelis (Clondegad), C Murray (Kilrush), M Bohannon (Shannon Gaels); J Malone (Corofin), E Hanrahan (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); S Corry (Éire Óg), N Deasy (Ballyea), T Lynch (Ballyea); B Lynch (Lissycasey), E Cleary (St Joseph’s Milltown-Malbay), C Cleary (St Joseph’s Milltown-Malbay)

    Cork breezed into the final of the Munster U21FC last night in Páirc Uí Rinn yet this comprehensive semi-final success over Clare was overshadowed by captain Rory O’Sullivan limping off in the first-half amidst fears he has torn his cruciate ligament for the second time in his career.

The Argideen Rangers player suffered the injury at the start of last season and missed out on Cork’s provincial U21 winning campaign. Last night served as his inter-county comeback but the midfielder was forced to bow out of action in the 19th minute after hurting his left knee in a challenge as he attempted a shot. 

"It doesn’t look good at the moment," admitted Cork manager John Cleary afterwards. "It’s very unfortunate for the player. He’s going for a scan today and we’ll learn more then. Cruciate is the fear as he was in a lot of pain coming off. But he’s okay now and we really don’t know." 

The theme of injures featured heavily in Cork’s night with Donal Óg Hodnett, a shining light in the triumphant Munster championship side last year, unable to start in attack from the off due to a knee problem and Ilen Rovers’ Dan McEoin slotted in as his replacement. Hodnett incurred a knee injury in training yet Cleary is hopeful he will recover in time for the trip to Tralee on April 11th for a final showdown against Kerry. 

Apart from those personnel losses, this was a straightforward night’s work for Cork. They endured a tentative start to the game as Clare, sharpened by the benefits of a first round win over Limerick, stormed into a 1-2 to 0-3 lead by the 20th minute. The Banner’s principal attacking weapon in the first-half was the towering frame of Darren O’Neill who they positioned at the edge of the square. He posed difficulties for the Cork defence with his ability to claim aerial possession and after firing a fine point in the 3rd minute, he raised a green flag nine minutes later when rising at the back post to fist a sideline ball to the net. 

Alongside him, the trickery of Cathal McInerney surfaced on occasions and the Cratloe player nearly grabbed a second goal for Clare in the first-half, only for his shot to be deflected wide after a mazy run. 

However, Cork defender Alan Cronin stuck diligently to his task and kept McInerney scoreless from play in the second-half. 

By the interval Cork had turned the match firmly in their favour with a devastating burst of 1-6 without reply. Jamie Wall’s composed finish to the net kick-started the scoring spree and as Cleary rightly pointed out after, it was the twin attacking blades of John O’Rourke and Brian Hurley that cut the deepest wounds into the Clare defence thereafter. Between them, O’Rourke and Hurley struck 0-9 from play, and their assured kicking was vital to Cork’s recovery. 

Clare needed a swift flurry of scores after the break to vault them back into contention and while McInerney curled over an early free, Cork soon put the game to bed. A dynamic team move involving Ruairí Deane and Kevin Hallissey released Luke Connolly in the 33rd minute and the Nemo Rangers player billowed the net with a powerful finish. O’Rourke swung over a wonderful brace of points after that and although Clare carved open the Cork rearguard with a brilliant team move, Micheal Malone’s goalbound drive flashed wide. 

From there to the end, the match was a procession for Cork. Despite O’Neill giving Clare an edge in the middle of the park with his height, substitute Eoin Healy’s tenacity ensured Cork frequently claimed primary possession. Mark Sugrue planted the ball in the net with his left foot for the Rebels’ third goal in the 45th minute to conclude the contest. In the closing stages, Cleary emptied his bench with Brian O’Driscoll enjoying the rare distinction of sampling Cork U21 action while still being eligible for the minor ranks this year. The Cork boss is looking forward to a final date with the Kingdom yet is hoping his players’ schedule before that will be cleared. 


Scorers for Cork: L Connolly 1-2 (0-1f), J O’Rourke 0-5, B Hurley 0-4, M Sugrue 1-1, J Wall 1-0, K Hallissey, D McEoin, D Drake 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Clare: D O’Neill 1-1, C McInerney 0-2 (0-1f), P Dillon, S O’Driscoll, S Malone 0-1 each 

CORK: S Mellet; D O’Donovan, D Cahalane, A Cronin; J Cronin, T Clancy, J Wall; R O’Sullivan, R Deane; K Hallissey, M Sugrue, J O’Rourke; D McEoin, L Connolly, B Hurley. 

Subs: E Healy for O’Sullivan (inj) (19), B O’Driscoll for J Cronin (46), D Drake for Hurley (49), D Nation for Deane (51), C O’Sullivan for O’Donovan (54). 

CLARE: W De Loughery; E Ralph, E Malone, M O’Connor; S Malone, S Collins, S Tierney; K O’Connor, C Ryan; E Finnucane, S Brennan, M Malone; C McInerney, D O’Neill, P Collins. 

Subs: M O’Shea for Ryan (38), S O’Driscoll for M Malone (38), C O’Brien for M O’Connor (43), P Dillon for P Collins (46), R Linnane for Finnucane (52). 

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)

Clare 1-12   Leitrim 0-09

    Clare grabbed their fourth win in Division 4 when they had six points to spare over Leitrim in Cusack Park yesterday.

Playing with the breeze, the Banner goaled in the sixth minute through Shane McGrath and enjoyed a 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the interval. The visitors were too reliant on the boot of James Glancy, who kicked all but one of their scores before the break, including a penalty sent over the bar. 

Scores by McGrath, Rory Donnelly and Alan Clohessy kept Clare in command after the change of ends. 

Scorers for Clare: S McGrath 1-3; D Tubridy (3f), R Donnelly 0-3 each; A Clohessy 0-2, J Dowling 0-1. 

Scorers for Leitrim: J Glancy 0-5 (3f, 1pen), W McKeon, R Lowe, D Gilhooley, C Egan (1 45) 0-1 each. 

CLARE: Joe Hayes; B Hartnett, S McNeilis, L Healy; M McMahon, Gordon Kelly, John Hayes; G Brennan, G Quinlan; Graham Kelly, S McGrath, A Clohessy; R Donnelly, D Tubridy, J Dowling. 

Subs: S Brennan for Graham Kelly (ht), T Ryan for Dowling (46), D Russell for Quinlan (56), S Haugh for Donnelly (65), S Tierney for Clohessy (67). 

LEITRIM: C McCrann; A Wynne, C Egan, P Maguire; D Beck, C Sheridan, W McKeon; D Sweeney, D Lowe; P Brennan, R Lowe, G Hickey; R Cox, J Glancy, A Croal. 

Subs: D Gilhooley for Croal (51), P McGowan for D Lowe (51), T Bernie for Hickey (63). 

Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).

Clare 1-12   Carlow  0-14

    Alan Clohessey emerged as the Clare hero when he scored an injury-time winning point at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

The Banner County trailed 0-14 to 0-10 with four minutes left but corner forward Rory Donnelly pointed from play and then Micheal O’Shea raced through a minute later before crashing home the game’s only goal, to level matters. 

Carlow’s Seán Gannon had a chance to put his side back in front but shot badly wide. Clohessey then had the final say, as Michael McDermott’s men got their second successive win. 

Scorers for Carlow: JJ Smith 0-6, (4fs), B Murphy 0-4fs, P Reid 0-2, J Murphy, D Hayden 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Clare: D Tubridy 0-5 (2fs), M O’Shea 1-1, R Donnelly, A Clohessey 0-3 each. 

CARLOW: T O’Reilly; B Kavanagh, P McElligott, P Murphy; B Kavanagh, S Redmond, T Bolger; Brendan Murphy, J Murphy; Brian Murphy, P Reid, E Finnegan; D Hayden, S Gannon, JJ Smith. 

Subs: D Foley for J Murphy (inj 18), D St Ledger for Hayden (67), D Mulvaney for P Murphy (69). 

CLARE: J Hayes; B Hartnett, S Brennan, L Healy; M McMahon, G Kelly, J Hayes; G Brennan, G Quinlan; G Kelly, S McGrath, A Clohessy; R Donnelly, D Tubridy, M O’Shea. 

Subs: P O’Dwyer for Hayes (inj 3), N Brown for Quinlan (ht), T Donnellan for Brennan (61).

Referee: D Maher (Westmeath).

    Peter Canavan’s Fermanagh side came from behind to secure a win over Clare at Brewster Park.

There was stunned silence at the break as Clare led by three points. 

Rory Donnelly, David Tubridy and David Russell, who replaced the injured Ger Quinlan at midfield, impressed in that opening half for the Banner. 

But Fermanagh were a changed outfit on the restart, with sub Shane McCabe leading by example. Corner-forward Paul Ward benefited most from McCabe’s vision, kicking three points from play, while Seamus Quigley landed six from placed balls. With three points between them David Tubridy had a snap shot well saved by Chris Snow in the Fermanagh goal to deny the Banner a share of the spoils. 

Scorers for Fermanagh: Seamus Quigley (0-6, 0-5f, 0-1 45), P Ward (0-3), B Mulrone (0-1), S Lyons (0-1). 

Scorers for Clare: D Tubridy (0-5, 0-4f), A Clohessy (0-1), S McGrath (0-1), D Russell (0-1). 

FERMANAGH: C Snow; N Bogue, B Owens, J Woods; C Quigley, R McCluskey, B Mulrone; J Sherry, E Donnelly; S Lyons, B Óg Maguire, M Little; P Ward, Seamus Quigley, Sean Quigley. 

Subs: S McCabe for Little (ht), K Connor for B Óg Maguire (ht), D Kille for Sean Quigley (ht), E Maguire for K Connor (62). 

CLARE: J Hayes, B Hartnett, S McNeilis, L Healy, M McMahon, G Kelly, J Hayes, G Brennan, G Quinlan, N Browne, S McGrath, S Brennan, R Donnelly, D Tubridy, A Clohessy Subs: D Russell for Quinlan (8), J Dowling for N Browne (62), T Ryan for Russell (66). 

Referee: Jerome Henry.

   CLARE..............1-17   WATERFORD..............0-12

 Clare are off to a winning start in the Allianz division four league and deservingly so as they were the better side for 20 minutes of each half against Waterford and had they more ruthlessness in front of goal would have been five goals clear at the end of the game not just eight points.

Clare dominated with ultimate ease the opening twenty minutes and were four points to the good and with any conviction in front of goal could have 12 points clear without even one iota of a scoring chance for the decies men. Gary Brennan opened the scoring with a searing run up the centre in the second minute before a great crossfield ball from Shane Brennan fell into the hands of David Tubridy who finished with ease in the 4th minute. Clare kicked five wides and missed two goal chances and witnessed only two more points between the 6th and 16th minutes despite near total dominance as Rory Donnelly and  Shane McGrath  with a wonderful team effort had Clare four clear in the 12th. Shane Aherne finally had the visitors on the scoreboard after 19 minutes and indeed made Clare look ordinary for the following five minutes scoring two efforts from Sean O Hare (free) and Sean Fleming. Clare goalkeeper Joe Hayes had to be alert to deny Patrick Hurney who found himself in front of goal with a breaking ball and Hayes made a smart body block.
Clare alarmed by this rallied and a great catch and solo by Gary Brennan set up David Tubridy for Clare's 6th point just before Shane Quinlan restored a four point home side lead.

The old failings returned to Clare giving away the ball in dangerous positions and this allowed Waterford to get into the game with scores from Sean Fleming, Gary Hurney and Conor McGrath to leave Clare nervous one point leaders (0-7) to (0-6) after 31 minutes when after ten minutes a six point lead would have been the deserved Clare lead. A high free sent in by Hayes broke to Tubridy who kicked his fourth score of the half. A great piece of running by John Hayes found Tubridy who in turn found Clohessy and the newly appointed clare captain made no mistake to leave Clare happy to be three points clear (0-9) to (0-6) ahead at the interval.

Clare started the second half brightly with Alan Clohessy starting as he finished with another point before Conor McGrath kicked Waterford's seventh point. Rory Donnelly scored a wonderful effort before Shane Aherne earned a second yellow card and his dismissal. Clare took over the game and scored the all important goal from Rory Donnelly after solid approach work by Niall Browne and David Tubridy. After 50 minutes Clare were comfortable (1-12) to (0-9) points ahead and now looking to see if they could build on a solid positive scoring advantage for the rest of the league.  The yellow cards started to flow and it led to four sendings off with Waterford clear winners  in this race. Gary Hurney, Shane Aherne and sub Joe veale who was only on the field five minutes were all dismissed as Clare centre back Gordon Kelly also saw an early end. Alan Clohessy (2), David Tubridy (2) and Shane McGrath with a tremendous effort left the home side 10 points clear entering the final five minutes of now lifeless fare before 200 souls.

 Clare won the first game of the new league and set off this coming weekend to Fermanagh whose game against London was snowed off in Rusilip. A result in this tough fixture with the northerners now managed by Peter Canavan would be key to the progress of this side.

Clare's strong performsers included Shane McNeilus, Lawerence Healy, John Hayes, Shane Brennan, Shane McGrath, Rory Donnelly, David Tubridy and Alan Clohessy. Waterford suffered through a collection of yellow cards yet in reality against a better side they would have been 10point plus in arrears at the end at the end of the first quarter.

CLARE: Joe Hayes, Barry Hartnett, Shane McNeilus, Lawerence Healy, Martin McMahon, Gordon Kelly, John Hayes, Gary Brennan (0-1), Ger Quinlan (0-1), Niall Browne, Shane McGrath (0-2), Shane Brennan, Rory Donnelly (1-2), David Tubridy (0-7), Alan Clohessy (0-4). Subs: David Russell for Browne, Stephen Tierney for  Shane McGrath, Joe Dowling for Donnelly, Michael Foran for Healy, Timmy Ryan for Brennan.

WATERFORD: Kieran Cotter, Kieran Connery, Conor Phelan, Andy Doyle, Shane Briggs, Tony Grey, Wayne Hennessy, Shane Aherne (0-1), Sean O Hare (0-1), Conor McGrath (0-2), Sean Dempsey, Pat Hurney (0-2), Gary Hurney (0-4), Liam O Lionain, Sean Fleming. (0-2) Subs: Cillian O Keeffe for O Lionain, Robert Aherne for Hennessy, Joey Veale for McGrath,

Referee: Frank Flynn (Leitrim).