Banner boss bemoans imbalance in second tier
“Kerry were very poor I thought. But as John Meyler was saying, that’s the imbalance that’s in Division Two.
“We are bordering on being good enough to be in Division 1 but at times we looked as if we are a Division 2 team as well. But on the day Kerry were very weak and it worked out handy enough for us. At times we looked awful loose and we gave away seven or eight needless frees — I’d be disappointed with that.”
The hosts led 4-15 to 1-6 at the break. Man of the match John Conlon grabbed a pair of first-half goals while Nicky O’Connell and Diarmuid McMahon also netted with John Egan on target for the visitors. In the second period Kerry battled valiantly but further Clare goals by substitute Caimin Morey and McMahon sealed the issue.
Scorers for Clare: J Conlon (2-1), D McMahon (2-1), N O’Connell (1-4) 0-1 f, 0-1 ‘65, C Morey (1-0) f, S Collins (0-3), D Honan (0-3), J Clancy (0-3), C McGrath (0-3) 1 f, F Lynch (0-2), C Ryan (0-2), f’s, J McInerney (0-1) f.
Scorers for Kerry: D O’Connell (0-11) 11 f’s, J Egan (1-1), S Nolan (0-3), R Kenny (0-1), C Harris (0-1), M Conway (0-1) f.
CLARE: D Tuohy, P Vaughan (Capt.), C Cooney, D O’Donovan, B Bugler, J McInerney, C Dillon, N O’Connell, S Collins, J Colon, F Lynch, J Clancy, C Ryan, D McMahon, C McGrath.
Subs: D Honan for Ryan inj. (17), P Donnellan for McInerney (49), C McInerney for McMahon (51), C Morey for Lynch (57), L Markham for O’Connell (64).
KERRY: B Rochford, E Fitzgerald, T Murnane, C Harris, P O’Grady, M Conway, A Royle, P Costello, D Dineen, S Nolan, L Boyle (Capt.), D Wallace, D O’Connell, R Kenny, J Egan.
Subs: J Casey for Royle (17), J Flaherty for Wallace (59), T Moloney for Kenny (59), D Fitzell for Costello (63).
Referee: P Green (Galway).
