Munster MHC First Round – Clare 6-24 Kerry 1-8

Clare defeated Kerry by 6-24 to 1-8 in the Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship First Round on Wednesday at Austin Stack Park Tralee.

CLARE HAMMERS KERRY WITH SECOND HALF SCORING BLITZ

Munster Minor Hurling Championship – First Round Clare 6-24 Kerry 1-8

By Murt Murphy for kerrygaa.ie

Plucky Kerry put up a brave show before succumbing in the second half of this Munster Minor Hurling Championship opener, to last years All-Ireland beaten finalists Clare at the Austin Stack Park Tralee this evening. It turned out to be a rout in the second half, as Clare stamped their superiority on proceedings and Kerry were simply blown away. It was disappointing from a Kerry viewpoint, as they put up a brave first half performance but they were always in trouble in the fullback line, as Clare possessed a very dangerous trio, who scored 4-8 between them.

However, before one rushes to judgement on these young Kerry hurlers, who hurled with vigour right to the end, it must be remembered that this Clare side is fancied by many shrewd observers, to be live All-Ireland contenders in September. Last year they were unlucky to lose the final late on to Kilkenny and they had eight players on duty from that squad tonight, including six starters while another three or four played in the Ard Scoil Ris Harty Cup winning side that just lost out to St Kieran’s from Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Colleges final. So this is a real strong Clare side, and while the margin of victory is disappointing, Kerry will never learn anything until they play teams that are better than them. Players like Daniel Collins, Tommy Barrett, Pat Joe Connolly, Muiris Delaney, Shane Dunne and Padraig Boyle should keep their heads up, as they will enjoy better days in the Green and Gold!

Clare was on top in every department with last years midfield pairing Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin imperious in the middle, while Aaron Cunningham tormented the Kerry defence with a six point haul. Tony Kelly chipped in with three points and it came in the 23rd minute, after Kerry keeper Kieran Fitzgibbon prevented a point by batting the ball clear, but dapper Ard Scoil Ris full forward Oisin Hickey blasted the loose ball to the net. Kerry thanks to a Padraig Boyle 13th minute goal actually led 1-2 to 0-4 but Clare pulled clear to lead 1-12 to 1-5 at the interval.

The game was three minutes into the second half when Clare scored two goals and point, with full forward Oisin Hickey completing his hat-trick. It was all one way traffic as the Banner lads shredded the Kerry defence with Aaron Cunningham firing over a succession of superb points from touch line until, he was withdrawn. Clare were in a different league to Kerry, whose challenge faded dramatically as goals from Shane O’Donnell and two from Alan Mulready saw the visitors cruise to a thirty one point victory. Clare advance to the semi finals, while Kerry faces the might of Cork on Saturday evening next at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Scorers

Clare

O Hickey 3-1, A Mulready 2-2, A Cunningham 0-6, C O’Connor 0-6 ( 0-4 frees), S O’Donnell 1-1, C Galvin and T Kelly 0-3 each, G O’Connell and J Colleran 0-1 each

Kerry

P Boyle 1-1, P J Connolly 0-3, M Delaney 0-2 (0-1 free), S Dunne 0-2 (0-1 free)

Clare – E Quilligan, J Browne, N O’Connor, S Morey, M Moroney, J Shanahan, G O’Connell, C Galvin, T Kelly, A Mulready, C O’Connell, F Melody, S O’Donnell, O Hickey, A Cunningham,

Subs: P Duggan for F Melody (h/t), J Colleran for M Moroney (48), S McGrath for A Cunningham (50), D Moloney for S Morey (50), D Barry for G O’Connell (56)

Kerry – K Fitzgibbon, T Moore, D Fitzell, M O’Halloran, D Collins, T Barrett, K O’Sullivan, E O’Connor, M Delaney, R Heffernan, P J Connolly, L Fitzell, D Goulding, P Boyle, S Dunne

Subs: T B McElligott for M O’Halloran (43), P McGrath for D Goulding (46), And D Leahy For: L Fitzell (50)

Referee: J O’Brien (Tipperary)

Team News

Clare MH team to play Kerry

Seadna Morey at Corner Back, Jamie Shanahan (who lined out at left half forward last year and now at Centre Back this year) Colm Galvin and Tony Kelly ( who will Caption the Team ) are the Mid Field Pairing again this year, are the only Players that remain from the Clare Minor Hurling Team that started in Last years All Ireland Minor Hurling Final against Kilkenny. Clare begin their First defence of their Munster Title , which they won in Thurles when they defeated Waterford in the Munster Final last July

1. Eibhear Quilligan E.O.Cuileagain Feakle

2. Jack Browne S.O.deBrun Ballyea

3. Niall O Connor N.O.Conchuir Newmarket

4. Seadna Morey S.O.Mora Sixmilebridge

5. Martin Moroney M.O.Maoiruanaidh Parteen

6. Jamie Shanahan S.O.Seanchain Sixmilebridge

7. Gearoid O Connell G.O.Conaill Ballyea

8. Colm Galvin C.O.Geailbhean Clonlara

9. Tony Kelly © A.O.Ceillaigh Ballyea

10. Alan Mulready A.O.Maoilbhride Sixmilebridge

11. Cathal O Connell C.O.Conaill Clonlara

12. Frank Melody F.O.Maoileidigh Newmarket

13. Shane O Donnell S.O.Donaill Eire Og Ennis.

14. Oisin Hickey O.hIci Meelick

15. Aaron Cunningham A.MacCuinneagain Wolfe Tones na Sionna.

16. Keith Hogan K.O hOgain Clooney/Quin

17. Jarleth Colleran J.O.Cailarainn St Josephs Doora/Barefield

18. Peter Duggan P.O.Duigain Clooney/Quin

19. Shane McGrath S.MacGrath Feakle

20. Dave Barry D.deBarra Clooney/Quin

21. Brian Carey B.O.Ciara Sixmilebridge

22. Damien Moloney D.O.Maolomhnaigh Meelick

23. Eoin Enright E. MacIonnrachtaigh Kilmaley

24. Oisin O Brien O.O.Brien Clonlara

The Kerry Minor Hurling team V Clare in Austin Stack Park on Wednesday 27th April at 7.15pm is as follows:

1. Kieran Fitzgibbon (Kenmare) Captain

2. Tadhg Moore (Dr. Crokes)

3. Dougie Fitzell (Kilmoyley)

4. Mikey O’Halloran (Ballyheigue)

5. Daniel Collins (Kilmoyley)

6. Tommy Barrett (Causeway)

7. Kevin O’Sullivan (Kenmare)

8. Eric O’Connor (Ballyduff)

9. Muiris Delaney (Causeway)

10. Ricky Heffernan (Lixnaw)

11. Pa Joe Connolly (Ballyduff)

12. Luke Fitzell (Kilmoyley)

13. David Goulding (Ballyduff)

14. Padráig Boyle (Ballyduff)

15. Shane Dunne (Ballyheigue)

16. Gearóid Sheehan (St. Brendan’s)

17. Paul McGrath (Causeway)

18. Darren Leahy (Causeway)

19. Tom B. McElligott (Crotta O’Neills)

20. Damien Lynch (Ballyduff)

21. Jason Wallace (Lixnaw)

22. Vincent Savage (Kilmoyley)

23. John Godley (Kilmoyley)

24. Tony Cunningham (Abbeydorney)

25. Keith Carmody (Causeway)

26. Cian Hussey (St. Brendan’s)

27. Seán Nolan (Kilmoyley)

Manager: Ger McCarthy (Causeway);

Coach / Trainer: Joseph Walsh (Kilmoyley)

Selectors: Andy O’Sullivan (Kenmare), Joe Walsh (Kilmoyley) & John Paul Leahy (Ballyduff)

Next Round – the winners play the winners of the Semi-Final 2^nd playoff in the Munster Semi-Final on Friday June 24^th.

The losers play the losers of Cork and Limerick in the Semi-Final 1^st playoff on Wednesday May 4th.

Admission Prices
Adult – €10
Student/OAP with appropriate ID Card – €5
Under 16s are free

Contact Munster GAA PRO Ed Donnelly at pro.munster@gaa.ie for more information

For the Record

Munster Minor Hurling Championship Roll Of Honour

Tipperary (36), Cork (32), Limerick (5), Waterford (4), Clare (3)

Munster Minor Hurling Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began in1928 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/mh_teams/

Munster Minor Hurling Cup

There is no name on the Munster Minor Hurling Cup. The cup itself was presented by T.W.A. Shannon Airport in 1946.

All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship

In the Minor Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Tipperary and Cork are tied for second in the charts with 18 titles each behind Kilkenny’s 20 titles. Limerick have 3 titles (1940, 1958, 1984), Waterford have won 2 titles (1929, 1948) while Clare’s only title to date came in 1997.

Of the last 12 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Finals played, the Irish Press Cup has only returned to Munster on 3 occasions – Cork (2001) and Tipperary (2006 and 2007). Of the other 9 titles since 1999, Galway have 5 and Kilkenny have captured 4.

Tipperary were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1996, 2006, 2007

Cork were All-Ireland Minor Hurling Champions in 1928, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2001

Munster Minor Hurling Finals

1928    @ Mitchelstown          Cork 3-4                      Waterford 3-2

1929    @ Waterford               Waterford 7-5              Tipperary 1-2

1930    @ Cork                       Tipperary 4-3              Cork 0-3

1931    @ Clonmel                  Tipperary 6-5              Waterford 6-2

1932    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 7-8              Clare 3-0

1933    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-1              Cork 2-2

1934    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-6              Waterford 0-6

1935    @ Cork                       Tipperary 4-3              Cork 2-1

1936    @ Mitchelstown          Cork 6-5                      Tipperary 1-4

1937    @ Cork                       Cork 8-4                      Limerick 3-2

1938    @ Cork                       Cork 9-3                      Kerry 0-0

1939    @ Thurles                   Cork 8-3          `           Clare 0-2

1940    @ Thurles                   Limerick 8-3                Clare 0-4

1941    @ Limerick                 Cork 4-6                      Tipperary 3-3

1942    Championship Abandoned

1943    No Championship

1944    No Championship

1945    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 8-10                        Clare 0-2

1946    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 5-6              Cork 4-2

1947    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 2-7              Waterford 1-2

1948    @ Thurles                   Waterford 3-6              Tipperary 0-2

1949    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-6              Clare 5-5

1950    @ Killarney                 Tipperary 12-3                        Clare 2-0

1951    @ Limerick                 Cork 5-11                    Limerick 1-3

1952    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 10-7                        Clare 1-2

1953    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-11                        Limerick 3-3

1954    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-5              Limerick 2-3

1955    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 8-11                        Waterford 2-5

1956    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 10-10          Waterford 4-4

1957    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 3-8              Limerick 1-4

1958    @ Thurles                   Limerick 8-9                Waterford 2-5

1959    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-8              Limerick 1-4

1960    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 6-7              Galway 4-3

1961    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 7-11                        Cork 1-6

1962    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 4-11                        Cork 4-1

1963    @ Limerick                 Limerick 4-12              Tipperary 5-4

1964    @ Limerick                 Cork 2-14                    Tipperary 2-9

1965    @ Limerick                 Limerick 5-5                Tipperary 3-9

1966    @ Limerick                 Cork 6-7                      Galway 2-5

1967    @ Limerick                 Cork 4-10                    Limerick 0-3

1968    @ Limerick                 Cork 7-8                      Waterford 4-2

1969    @ Limerick                 Cork 1-12                    Tipperary 2-4

1970    @ Limerick                 Cork 3-8                      Tipperary 4-4

1971    @ Killarney                 Cork 6-13                    Clare 3-5

1972    @ Thurles                   Cork 4-11                    Limerick 0-3

1973    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 5-12                        Limerick 5-4

1974    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-7                      Tipperary 2-10

@ Dungarvan             Cork 2-11                    Tipperary 2-7

1975    @ Limerick                 Cork 3-16                    Tipperary 1-7

1976    @ Cork                       Tipperary 5-10                        Limerick 5-6

1977    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-8                      Limerick 2-7

1978    @ Thurles                   Cork 1-14                    Tipperary 3-6

1979    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-17                    Limerick 4-4

1980    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-17                        Limerick 1-4

1981    @ Thurles                   Clare 3-13                   Tipperary 3-11

1982    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-10                        Limerick 1-7

1983    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 3-15                        Limerick 2-8

1984    @ Thurles                   Limerick 3-6                Tipperary 2-7

1985    @ Cork                       Cork 1-13                    Tipperary 1-8

1986    @ Killarney                 Cork 3-10                    Tipperary 2-13

@ Kilmallock               Cork 2-11                    Tipperary 1-11

1987    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-11                        Cork 2-9

1988    @ Limerick                 Cork 5-7                      Tipperary 1-2

1989    @ Cork                       Clare 2-13                   Limerick 2-11

1990    @ Thurles                   Cork 1-9                      Clare 0-9

1991    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-13                        Limerick 1-5

1992    @ Cork                       Waterford 4-7              Tipperary 3-10

@ Cork                       Waterford 2-10            Tipperary 0-14

1993    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 1-12                        Cork 1-9

1994    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-15                    Waterford 0-9

1995    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-18                    Waterford 0-10

1996    @ Limerick                 Tipperary 2-18                        Waterford 1-11

1997    @ Cork                       Tipperary 2-13                        Clare 1-13

1998    @ Thurles                   Cork 3-18                    Clare 0-8

1999    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 1-13                        Clare 2-7

2000    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-19                    Limerick 1-10

2001    @ Cork                       Tipperary 1-13                        Cork 1-6

2002    @ Cork                       Tipperary 3-7              Cork 2-7

2003    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 2-12                        Cork 0-16

2004    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-13                    Tipperary 3-8

2005    @ Cork                       Cork 2-18                    Limerick 1-12

2006    @ Thurles                   Cork 2-20                    Tipperary 1-15

2007    @ Thurles                   Tipperary 0-18                        Cork 1-11

2008    @ Limerick                 Cork 0-19                    Tipperary 0-18

2009    @ Thurles                   Waterford 0-18            Tipperary 1-13
2010    @ Thurles                   Clare 1-16                   Waterford 1-11

Odds and Ends

The last 3 counties to win the Munster Minor Hurling Championship all lost their first round matches. 2010 champions Clare lost to Waterford by 1-21 to 0-16 before qualifying via the Losers Group and defeated Waterford by 1-16 to 0-11 in the Munster Final. 2009 champions Waterford lost to Clare in the first round by 1-12 to 0-14 before getting back on track with wins over Limerick, Clare and Tipperary to win the final. Cork lost in the 2008 first round to Clare by 2-17 to 2-16 before securing victories over Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary.

Clare are the defending Munster Minor Hurling Champions following a 1-16 to 1-11 victory over Waterford at Semple Stadium Thurles. David O’Halloran’s 38^th minute goal proved the decisive score helping Clare to victory.

The winning Clare team and scorers were as follows – Ronan Taaffe; Haulie Vaughan, Paul Flanagan (Captain), Seadna Morey; Enda Boyce, Kevin Lynch, Stephan O’Halloran (0-1); Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly (0-2); Cathal Malone, Paudge Collins, Jamie Shanahan (0-1); David O’Halloran (1-3, 0-1 free), Niall Arthur (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65), Daire Keane (0-3). Subs: Alan Mulready for Malone (48), Cathal O’Connell for Collins (59)

Kerry’s Minor Hurling captain is Kieran Fitzgibbon from the 2010 Kerry County Minor Hurling champions Kenmare. Aided by players from the Dr Crokes and Kilgarvan clubs, Kenmare’s victory means the Sean Lovett Memorial Cup resides in the South of the county for the first time since 1988.

Limerick’s victory over Kerry in the first round of the 2010 Munster Minor Hurling Championship snapped a 7 game losing streak in the competition dating back to 2006.

Clare have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship over the last 5 years. Waterford have the next best consecutive streak with at least 1 victory in the last 3 years.

Cork have the best record in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship since 2000, winning 23 and drawing 3 of their 34 matches played, one victory better than Tipperary’s record.

Kerry’s last victory in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship came against Waterford in 1938, a 3-3 to 2-1 success in the semi-final. Cork defeated Kerry in the final.