*Luke Pyne was Clare’s best player. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s U20 footballers were blown away by Kerry in a dead-rubber provincial tie with the Kingdom already through to the Munster final.
Kerry 3-23
Clare 0-11
Venue: Austin Stack Park, Tralee
By Murt Murphy
Played in a sun-drenched Tralee, it was a game of little importance to Clare who lined out without senior panellists Seán McAllister and Evan Cahill.
Kerry 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 eleventh minute as Clare struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Clare eventually got a score on the board in the twelfth minute when a searing run by their best player Luke Pyne saw him being fouled and the free was converted by Sean Fennell but Kerry 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. He was superb and had two great goal chances but he was denied twice by two superb saves from Kerry keeper Michael Tansley.
Clare were brave and never gave up but they met a superior force on the night and they could not be faulted for effort.
Scorers 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 (0-1each)
Scorers 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:
1: Michael Tansley (Austin Stacks)
2. Maidhcí Lynch (Dr Crokes)
3. Jake Foley (Kerins O’Rahillys)
4. Dara Stack (Kilcummin)
5. Liam Evans (Keel)
6. Darragh O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks)
7. Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
8. Eddie Healy (Listowel Emmets)
9. Daniel Kirby (Austin Stacks)
10. Ciaran Collins (Rathmore)
11. Evan Boyle (Ballyduff)
12. Killian Dennehy (Cordal)
13. Paddy Lane (Austin Stacks)
14. Tomas Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys)
15. Ronan Carroll (Austin Stacks).
SUBS:
A Kennelly ( Listowel Emmets) for E Healy (HT)
G O’Riordan (Ardfert) for M Lynch (HT)
E Daly (Valentia) for P Lane (HT)
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
1: Eoin Byrne ( St Breckan’s)
2: Conor Hill (Lissycasey),
3: Daire Hill (Lissycasey),
4: Michael Kelly (Lissycasey)
19: Mufana Flynn (Banner)
6: Caoimhín O’Donovan (Corofin)
7: Luke Pyne (Éire Óg)
8: Sean Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
9: Darren Keane (Lissycasey)
10: Odhran O’Connell (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
11: Daire Culligan (Lissycasey)
12: Darragh Killeen (Lissycasey)
13: Tom Curran (St Joseph’s, Doora- Barefield)
14: Colin Riordan (WolfE Tones)
15: Sean McMahon (Banner).
Subs:
D Townsend (Cooraclare) for D Keane (27),
S Conneally (Ennistymon) for M Flynn (HT)
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)
