Munster SFC: Kerry overcome spirited Clare

Munster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Kerry 2-19 Clare 1-14

By Cian O'Connell at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg

Considering the injury absentee list was well stocked with accomplished performers, Kerry left Ennis satisfied that a passage to the Munster SFC decider was secured.

Well organised and defiant, Clare were competitive throughout, without ever truly threatening to cause a shock.

Following the Allianz Football League Division One Final loss to Donegal, Kerry did what was required. Paudie Clifford got 51 minutes, clipping 1-3, Diarmuid O'Connor drove forward to register three points, while inside David Clifford finished with a 1-7 haul.

The prolific Fossa attacker was black carded with nine minutes remaining, but by that stage Clare's mission was in the damage limitation category.

Clare's passion and purpose was evident during the opening period, but Kerry still departed armed with a 0-13 to 1-6 interval lead.

That was chiefly due to the conversion of three two point frees by the Clifford brothers as Jack O'Connor's outfit had to be resourceful against the determined locals.

Initially, Paudie Clifford landed a couple of scores steering Kerry three ahead, but Clare were gritty. Capable of retaining possession for significant spells, Clare only trailed 0-7 to 0-3 in the 16th minute.

Paul Madden's outfit pounced to score a goal at the end of the first quarter. Brian McNamara, who was relevant at centrefield, flighted a ball inside with Alan Sweeney supplying a palmed finish, narrowing the deficit to the minimum.

Kerry nailed five of the next six scores, including a David Clifford two point free to move six ahead. Three minutes before the break, Mark McInerney responded with a two pointer, ensuring Kerry's advantage was cut to four at the turnaround.

The lively Aaron Griffin trimmed the gap to three after the restart, but Kerry then mined 1-2 without reply.

Paudie Clifford reacted smartly to score a goal on 43 when brother David's delivery caused panic.

A similarly fortuitous goal arrived in the 60th minute when another David Clifford attempt ended up in the Clare net.

That major was quickly followed by a point from nifty substitute Killian Spillane which put Kerry 2-19 to 1-12 clear.

A spirited Clare battled on, but sufficient Kerry damage had been inflicted. A provincial showpiece with Cork in Killarney beckons.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-7 (2 2ptfs), Paudie Clifford 1-3 (1 2ptf), Diarmuid O'Connor 0-3, Micheál Burns and Killian Spillane 0-2 each, Dylan Casey and Keith Evans 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney 0-6 (2 2pt, 1f), Aaron Griffin 0-4, Alan Sweeney 1-0, Conor Meaney 0-2, Cormac Murray and Brian McNamara 0-1 each.

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Tom O'Sullivan, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Armin Heinrich; Mark O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor; Micheál Burns, Paudie Clifford, Cillian Trant; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Keith Evans.

Subs: Seán O'Brien for Trant (HT), Evan Looney for O'Sullivan (39), Killian Spillane for Geaney (51), Tony Brosnan for P Clifford (51), Gavin White for Heinrich (55)

Clare: Tristan O'Callaghan; Manus Doherty, Ronan Lanigan, Ikem Ugwueru; Brendy Rouine, Cillian Rouine, Alan Sweney; Brian McNamara, Cillian Brennan; Conor Meaney, Fionn Kelleher, Gavin Murray; Mark McInerney, Eoin Cleary, Aaron Griffin.

Subs: Cormac Murray for Cleary (34), Joe Rafferty for Sweeney (45), Daniel Walsh for Meaney (51), Josh Vaughan for G Murray (53), Darragh Bohannon for Doherty (61)

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).