TG4 Munster Ladies Football Senior Championship – Kerry 8-25 Clare 1-10

Kerry defeated Clare by 8-25 to 1-10 in the TG4 Munster Ladies Football Senior Championship on Saturday July 6th at Scartaglin.

TG4 Munster Ladies SFC round-up

By Jackie Cahill

WILLIAM O’Sullivan’s Kerry ran riot against a depleted Clare in Scartaglin on Saturday evening to book their place in next Saturday’s TG4 Munster ladies senior football championship final. The Kingdom scored a massive 8-25 to 1-10 win against the Banner County to set up a showdown with provincial and All-Ireland champions Cork in Castletownroche. Kerry have already beaten the Leesiders in this year’s Munster championship but to capture the silverware on offer, they must win again, and this time on Cork soil.

After six minutes of Saturday’s tie, Kerry and Clare were level at 1-1 apiece as Laura Rogers and Niamh O’Dea exchanged early goals. But quickfire goals from Rogers and Margaret Fitzgerald put Kerry firmly in the driving seat and they led by 3-2 to 1-2 after ten minutes, and by 5-11 to 1-3 at half-time. Clare were no match for a rampant Kerry as an administrative mix-up saw a number of their players book holidays. And John Burke’s charges were outclassed by a ruthless Kerry, who inflicted a massive 36-point defeat on the visitors. Patrice Dennehy and Louise Galvin added further goals before the break and there was no let-up in the second half as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Deirdre Corridan and Fitzgerald netted.

Next weekend sees all four provincial finals down for decision. In Ulster, Monaghan will meet Tyrone next Sunday at Celtic Park, with Mayo and Galway battling it out in the Connacht decider at Tuam Stadium. On Saturday, Cork and Kerry collide in another Munster final and in Leinster, Meath will face Dublin at Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow.

Senior Championship

Saturday 6th 2013

Kerry v Clare

Venue: Scartaglin

Time 5pm

Ref: Mike O Keeffe (Cork)

Match Preview

Clare face a tough assignment away to Kerry on Saturday, having already suffered a 0-20 to 0-8 defeat to cork in Shannon they must beat Kerry to give themselves a chance of at least a play off place. Kerry will come into this game on a high having already defeated the All Ireland champions Corks. A feat which is their first in Munster for 10 years.

John Burke spoke about the positives of his team following their game against Cork, that they were still very much in contention until the 47th minute, where they trailed Cork 0-13 to 0-8. He was also pleased that they gave up no goal chance to Cork however he will have concerns that his team only kicked 1 wide such was the lack of passion his forwards enjoyed. Niamh Keane and Louise Henchy should start at midfield, Niamh O’Dea as always be a danger on the 40 which inside the Considine sisters Ailish and Eimear are well capable of converting if given the ball. However for Clare it will be their defence that will come under most pressure and Fiona Lafferty, Lorraine Kelly and Marie Considine can expect a long hour’s work.

Kerry on the other hand have not overplayed their win against Cork. Their manager William O’Sullivan has played up the importance of this game against Clare as Kerry’s most important one under his 4 year reign. Kerry will look to their attack unlock Clare and Louise No Mhuirteartaigh, Sarah Houlihan, Laura Rogers and Patrice Dennehy will all be used to good effect. Bernie Breen and Emma Sherword should provide a platform for Kerry while Aislinn Desmond will anchor the Kerry defence at Full Back

Match Preview

TG4 Ladies Munster SFC preview

By Jackie Cahill

CLARE manager John Burke is travelling with a depleted squad for Saturday’s crunch TG4 Munster ladies senior football championship clash with Kerry. An administrative error has robbed Burke of key personnel for the visit to Scartaglin (5.0).

Kerry were already raging hot favourites following their stunning victory over Cork and the Banner County’s task has now become a virtual mission impossible.

Former Dublin manager Burke, a native of Ennis, revealed that some of his players took holidays when they read that the Kerry game was fixed for Saturday week, July 13.

But this information was erroneous as the provincial decider is down for decision in Castletownroche on that date.

Burke confirmed: “They’re not back until the Saturday night. We looked for a postponement but Kerry said no. We’re travelling with 25 players and 15 of them are minors. We said that we would travel down to Kerry on the Sunday morning and play them before the men’s Munster final but they weren’t having any of it so the game goes ahead on Saturday night.”

Burke admitted: “I picked up on it three weeks ago. The error was corrected but we’ve been left in the middle of the ocean.”

Former Allstar nominee Louise Henchy, Sue Higgins, Emma O’Driscoll, Fiona Lafferty and Lorraine Kelly will not feature for Clare as a result.

Burke said: “That’s our gel – that’s our team. They’re all on holidays and had it booked. We have to look at our own administrators in Clare and at home and how things are managed here. But there’s no point in pointing the finger – I should have been more proactive about the situation.

“I didn’t see it and that’s the situation we’re now in.”

Kerry are hotly-tipped to beat Clare, who have already lost to Cork, and that would set up another provincial final showdown with the Rebelettes.