Davy delivers as Clare eye Cork revenge

The kids are all right, you know.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his Cork cherubs led the way last Sunday in reaching an All-Ireland final but in Croke PArk on Sept 8, they will meet an even greener crew in the form of Davy Fitzgerald’s charges.

Yesterday, Davy’s Clare cubs bridged a 11-year gap to the county’s last decider appearance with a show of force and skill to see off their struggling neighbours.

In front of a Limerick-dominated crowd of 62,962, the Banner led from pillar to post, enjoying a seven-point advantage at half time and again at the sound of Johnny Ryan’s final whistle, 1-22 to 0-18.

Darach Honan’s bundled goal in the 12th minute set them on their way but it was the unerring free-taking of Conor Ryan, not to mention the stickwork and movement of Tony Kelly and Podge Collins that buttressed their winning performance.

Kelly, still only 19, and Collins, 21, will be in action again next Saturday with the U21s in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway. They are just two in a group of 14 under-age players involved in the senior panel this year.

It’s a revolutionary time for Clare hurling, and the seniors’ transformation under Fitzgerald has been stunning. From a team accused of placing an over-emphasis on possession and over-elaboration, the critics have been silenced one by one.