*David Clifford takes on Manus Doherty. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s interest in Kerry football is almost as old as the Gaelic Athletic Association itself.
The proximity of West Clare to North Kerry has resulted in football followers from all over West Clare which is mainly ‘football territory’ taking a keen interest in the progress of Kerry teams.
Since the launch of the Killimer to Tarbert car ferry in 1969, Clare fans have made regular crossings to attend club games in Kerry. That ferry is sure to be extra busy this weekend as football fans make the crossing on the way to Fitzgerald Stadium in Kerry to support Clare as they take on Kerry in the Munster final.
The connection with Kerry football goes much further and deeper than that and many of the successful Kerry players since the sixties have had stints as either manager or coach with Clare teams.
Castleisland native Donie Buckley, a long-time resident in Clare, has been associated with many county and club teams in the Banner county.
He managed and coached Clare teams at under 21 and junior level and served as joint senior Clare manager with Galway man Michael Brennan in 2006. Donie, winner of an All-Ireland club championship medal with his native Castleisland Desmonds club in 1985 has served as coach/selector with his native Kerry and he is currently in that role with Mayo. Amongst the club sides he has coached in Clare are Éire Óg, St Joseph’s Miltown and Kilrush Shamrocks.
John O’Keeffe from the famed Austin Stacks club and winner of eight All-Ireland medals with Kerry, managed Clare for two seasons as did another All-Ireland medal winner with the Kingdom, John Kennedy who later spent a couple of seasons in charge of Kilmurry Ibrickane.
The late Páidí Ó Sé spent a term in charge of Clare seniors in 2007 and he was assisted by another former Kerry player Vincent O’Connor. This turned out to be his final inter-county management post.
The legendary Mick O’Dwyer whose funeral took place recently, also served a term as Clare manager in 2013.
All-Ireland medal winner with Kerry and a Garda based in Clare, Declan O’Keeffe has coached and managed St Breckans, Lisdoonvarna club for a number of years, leading them to the Clare final in 2023.
The late Tim Kenneally from Listowel was in charge of Kilrush Shamrocks for a season while another Kerry man, Johnnie Joy, coached St Senan’s Kilkee for a term. Jerome Stack had spells with both Lissycasey and Wolfe Tones
Mark Fitzgerald managed Clare last year assisted by another Kerry man James Costello. Mark is currently a member of the Kerry under 20 management team which is headed by Tomás Ó Sé and they were crowned Munster champions on Monday evening. Costello is now a coach with the Kerry senior side which will face Clare in Sunday’s Munster senior final
Current Clare manager Peter Keane led his native Kerry to three Munster senior football championships.
The liaison officer with Clare seniors this year is Miltown Malbay native Christy Killeen, a long time resident in Listowel, Christy has spent many years as an officer of the underage board in Kerry and as a North Kerry board officer as well as serving the Finuge club.
Kilrush native Aidan Daly spent a number of seasons working in Kerry and played with the Kerins O’Rahillys club with whom he won a Kerry championship. Aidan has coached a number of club sides in both counties.
While the Banner supporters will be carrying their saffron and blue colours this weekend and whenever Clare will be in action, they will continue to keep a close eye on the performances of Kerry teams and they are sure to continue travelling to see many Kerry club games.
