Gavin O’Connor reports from last night’s Munster Minor Championship Quarter Final tie between Kerry and Clare in Austin Stack Park last night…
Kerry’s, Brian Seanacháin, fires a shot towards goal in the Munster Minor Championship Quarter Final against Clare in Austin Stack Park on Wednesday evening. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry 0-14
Clare 0-3
THE Kerry minors negotiated a safe passage through to the Munster semi-final when they easily dispatched of Clare in Austin Stack Park last night.
In truth, this match lacked any real championship fervour for the over 1,000 spectators who paid in.
After a slow start, a flurry of scores midway through the half helped Kerry to a 0-10 to 0-1 lead going in at the break. This was the required distance needed to see out the game without Clare ever looking like they could mount a comeback.
Starring for Kerry were, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne players, corner forward, Conor Geaney who kicked four points from play and midfielder Mark O’Connor.
Kerry will now face Cork in the semi-final on May 13. On the evidence of last night, Kerry minor manager, Jack O’Connor will have plenty to work on ahead of the Rebels who will be massive step up in comparison to Clare, who struggled badly to get scores on the board.
Despite the overwhelming amount of possession and chances, Kerry were very wasteful with their shooting and only tagged on a four more points after the break.
Two of those points came from goalkeeper, Billy Courtney, who made the long march up to convert two frees from the sod. At the end, his Clare counterpoint, Killian Roche, also got in on the act to put a tad bit more respectability on the scoreboard.
Check out action photos below…
Scorers for Kerry: Conor Geaney 0-4, Stephen O’Sullivan, Cormac Linnane (0-1f) 0-2 each, Mark O’Connor, Bryan Sweeney, Gavin White, Evan Cronin, Billy Courtney, Michael Foley 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: Keelan Sexton 0-2 (0-2f), Killian Roche 0-1 (0-1f).
Kerry
1 Billy Courtney (Dr Crokes)
2 Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3 Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4 Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
5 Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
6 Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7 Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)
8 Mark O’Connor (Dingle)
9 John Mark Foley (Kilgarvan)
10 Brian O Seanachain (Ballydonoghue)
11 Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmets)
12 Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
13 Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe)
14 Cormac Linnane (Beale)
15 Conor Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
18 Evan Cronin (Spa) for Linnane (44)
17 Dara O’Shea (Kenmare) for T O’Sullivan (52)
19 Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for White (52)
21 Brandon Barrett (Ardfert) for O’Shea (54)
23 Michael Foley (Spa) for S O’Sullivan (54)
20 Ronan Buckley (Listry) for JM Foley (57)
Clare
1 Killian Roche (Cooraclare)
2 Kieran Killeen (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
4 Niall McCarthy (Lissycasey)
21 Colm Pyne (Killimer)
3 Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
6 Conor Downes (Naomh Eoin)
17 Colin Hehir (MIlltown Malbay)
5 Killian Burke (Cooraclare)
9 Sean O’Donoghue (Cooraclare)
12 Conor O’Halloran (Eire Og)
13 Cormac Murray (Milltown Malbay)
10 Paraic McNamara (Kilmaley)
22 Eogan Tubridy (Doonbeg)
15 Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
11 Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs
8 Cillian Brennan (Clondegad) for K Burke (ht)
14 Nigel Murray (O’Currys) for P McNamara (ht)
19 Jack Morrissey (Cooraclare) for E Tubridy (41)
20 Rory McMahon (Kildysart) for C Pyne (54)
24 David Foran (KIllimer) for A Sweeney (54)
Referee: John Ryan (Cork)
Kerry’s Dara O’Shea, races passed Conor Downes of Clare. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry’s Conor Geaney turns inside a Clare defender. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry’s Daniel O’Brien, pumps a ball into the forward line. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry’s Mark O’Connor rises to the ball with Clare’s Sean O’Donoghue. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Kerry’s Stephen O’Sullivan fires a shot towards goal. Photo by Gavin O’Connor,
Kerry senior stars, Peter Crowley, Paul Murphy and Shane Enright share a laugh on the terrace. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry manager, Jack O’Connor, will have a few things to ponder ahead of Cork next month. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kerry’s Brian O Seanacháin, scans for options while coming under pressure from Clare defenders. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
