Kerry breeze past Clare to confirm Munster U20 final showdown with Cork

Kerry’s Paddy Lane celebrates at the final whistle. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie.

Kerry 3-23 Clare 0-11

Kerry breezed past Clare in this Munster U-20 Phase 2, Round 3 game in what was a dead rubber, played at a sun drenched Austin Stack Park on Tuesday evening.

Kerry was already through to the Munster final while Clare was out of the competition so this was a game of little importance.

But the Kingdom were on fire from the throw-in with Evan Boyle and Paddy Lane kicking points inside the opening minute before two minutes later, Ciaran Collins set up Killian Dennehy, who gave Clare keeper Eoin Byrne no chance.

Kerry were in complete control and points from Paddy Lane and Ronan Carroll had the Kingdom 1-4 in front by the 11th minute as Clare struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Clare eventually got a score on the board in the 12th minute when a searing run by their best player Luke Pyne saw him fouled and the free was converted by Sean Fennell. But Kerry soon struck for their second goal in the 14th minute when a neat one two between Eddie Healy and Darragh O’ Connor saw Healy finish to the Clare net.

Paddy Lane then quickly added a two point free to see Kerry leading 2-6 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter and it was as good as over.

Clare could only manage a two pointer from play by Colin Riordan and another point from Sean McMahon while Kerry added a succession of points and another superb goal from Healy to see Kerry leading 3-13 to 0-4 at half time.

The second half saw Kerry run their bench and it was still one way traffic as Clare, without two starting midfielders, struggled in all areas despite the best efforts of Luke Pyne and Sean Fennell.

Kerry added another ten points, finishing with twelve different scorers, while Clare never troubled the Kerry defence, adding 0-7 mainly through the efforts of Sean Fennell.

The interest in the crowd turned to thriller in Cork as a home final against Tipperary was a possibility but Brian Hayes ensured that Kerry will face Cork in the Munster final in two weeks time in Pairc Ui Caoimh.

Scorers for Kerry: T Kennedy (1-4), P Lane (0-6, 1tpf, 1f), E Healy (1-2), R Carroll (0-4, 2fs), K Dennehy (1-0), L Evans, D Kirby, C Collins, E Boyle, D O’Sullivan, E Daly and J Murphy (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: S Fennell (0-5, 4fs), C Riordan (0-2tp), T Curran (1f), S McMahon, D McMahon and C Talty (1f) (0-1 each).

KERRY: M Tansley (Austin Stacks); M Lynch (Dr Crokes); J Foley ( Kerins O’Rahillys), D Stack (Kilcummin); L Evans (Keel), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht); E Healy (Listowel Emmets), D Kirby (Austin Stacks); C Collins (Rathmore), E Boyle ( Ballyduff), K Dennehy (Cordal); P Lane (Austin Stacks), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), R Carroll (Austin Stacks).

SUBS: A Kennelly (Listowel Emmets) for E Healy (h/t), G O’Riordan (Ardfert) for M Lynch (h/t), E Daly (Valentia) for P Lane (h/t), O Ferris (Ardfert) for J Foley (40), D O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for K Dennehy (40), J Murphy (Austin Stacks) for D Kirby (Temp, 47-Finish).

CLARE: E Byrne (St Breckan’s); C Hill (Lissycasey), D Hill (Lissycasey), M Kelly (Lissycasey); M Flynn (Banner); C O’Donovan (Corofin), L Pyne (Éire Óg); S Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks), D Keane (Lissycasey); O O’Connell (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), D Culligan (Lissycasey), D Killeen (Lissycasey); T Curran ( St Joseph’s, Doora- Barefield), C Riordan ( Wolfe Tones), S McMahon (Banner).

Subs: D Townsend (Cooraclare) for D Keane (27), S Conneally (Ennistymon) for M Flynn, D McMahon (Lissycasey) for D Culligan (both H/T), C Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for T Curran (50), D Killoughrey (Clonagad) for M Kelly (58).

Referee: J Ryan (Cork).