Clare gave Kerry ‘new batch’ a right good game, says O’Connor

Level twice early on, the Kingdom flexed their muscles in a dominant second quarter that saw them outscore their hosts by 0-9 to 0-3.

Tomás Kennedy of Kerry in action against Fionn Kelleher of Clare. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

McGrath Cup: Kerry 0-16 Clare 0-14 

The faces may not have been as familiar but the result was certainly more recognisable as All-Ireland champions Kerry made a successful competitive bow for 2026 in Clarecastle.

With only four players (Jason Foley, Mike Breen, Sean O’Brien, Tadhg Morley) that featured in July’s Sam Maguire triumph in Croke Park lining out on Tuesday night under the new floodlit facility, Kerry Manager Jack O’Connor was eager to assess the next crop of potential stars coming through their conveyor belt.

“We’ve a new batch into the squad for the last few weeks and they’ve trained well and are mad for road so delighted for them that some could make their debuts tonight.” 

The attacking triumvirate of Cian O’Grady (5), Thomas O’Donnell (3) and target man Tomás Kennedy (2) combined for ten points as the Kingdom led for the final three-quarters of the contest albeit that it was incrementally less comfortable as the second half developed.

“It’s nice to get a competitive game and Clare gave us a right good game tonight,” continued O’Connor. “We felt that we played well in the first half in particular and kicked twelve points and were able to go direct but the second was different. We were against the wind and a bit laboured but look, we’re glad to have held on as we’ve now another meaningful game next weekend.

“We made a good few subs and when you make that many changes, things are bound to get a little disjointed and also we lost Mike Breen at half-time and we missed his ability to break tackles and kick the ball. So overall we’re delighted to come out of here with a win.” 

Having been locked together twice in the opening quarter, the visitors moved swiftly through the gears for the remainder of the opening period to open up their hosts and outscore them by 0-9 to 0-3 in the final 14 minutes.

Six different scorers carved out some clear daylight for the five-in-a-row Munster champions including a trio for Thomas O’Donnell while Cian O’Grady also raided for a brace on their way to a 0-12 to 0-06 interval cushion.

O’Donnell may have put they result beyond doubt on the restart when a rebound fell perfectly to him, only for home goalkeeper Stephen Ryan to repel the attempt.

That save would be magnified as Clare and more pointedly former captain Eoin Cleary began to chip away at the deficit that would be toppled to just a goal by the two-thirds mark at 0-13 to 0-10.

Again Kerry went for the jugular but glorious goal opportunities for Cian O’Grady and substitute Darragh O’Connor would be passed up. 

It only seemed to fuel a relentless Banner who matched their opponents all the way before striking late with a superb Dermot Coughlan two-point free deep into additional time.

There was still time for one more attack but replacement Aaron Griffin’s two-point attempt would be emphatically blocked down for a relieved Kerry to deservedly prevail.

“We’re happy to win here as the National League will be in the door to us in a couple of weeks time so it’s great to prepare for that with at least another competitive game this Sunday and perhaps one more after that if we can get the better of Waterford.”

Scorers for Kerry: C O’Grady 0-5 (3f); T O’Donnell 0-3; T Kennedy 0-2; C Keating, D Kirby, G Hassett, S Broderick (’45), D O’Connor (Beaufort) (f), C Trant (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: E Cleary 0-7 (4f); A Griffin, D Coughlan (1tpf) 0-2 each; A Sweeney, D Bohannon, C Murray (0-1 each).

Kerry: S Broderick (John Mitchels), E O’Connor (Na Gaeil), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), T Morley (Templenoe); C Keating (Dr. Crokes), M Breen (Beaufort), C Trant (St. Senan’s); S O’Brien (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh-Glencar); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), D Lyne (Killarney Legion), T O’Donnell (Castlegregory); C O’Grady (Castlegregory), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), G Hassett (Laune Rangers).

Subs: C Brosnan (Currow) for Kirby (ht), P O’Shea (Kilcummin) for Breen (HT, inj), C Collins (Rathmore) for O’Grady (45), D O’Connor (Beaufort) for Hassett (45), D Murphy (Rathmore) for E. O’Connor (47), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks) for Keating (48), S O’Connell (Cordal) for Smith (48), L Evans (Keel) for O’Donnell (48).

Clare: S Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks); A Sweeney (St. Breckan’s), F Kellher (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), M Doherty (Éire Óg); M Garry (Clondegad), I Ugwueru (Éire Óg), R Lanigan (Éire Óg); C Brennan (Clondegad), D Bohannon (Shannon Gaels); B Rouine (Ennistymon), D Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), G Murray (Éire Óg); E Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown), J Rafferty (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), C Murray (St. Joseph’s Miltown).

Subs: L Cotter (Ennistymon) for Garry (12, inj), M Nash (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Kelleher (HT), A Griffin (Lissycasey) for Rafferty (HT), E Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Bohannon (39, inj), J Stack (St. Breckan’s) for G. Murray (44), C O’Dea (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C. Murray (47), C McMahon (Ennistymon) for Doherty (49, inj), C Meaney (Lissycasey) for Sweeney (55), S Griffin (Lissycasey) for Coughlan (65).

Referee: J Regan (Cork).