• This event has passed.

January 6 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Clarecastle Referee: James Regan (Cork)

Competition:

McGrath Cup Football

Description:

Kerry defeated Clare by 0-16 to 0-14 in the McGrath Cup Football competition on Tuesday January 6th at Clarecastle.

Experimental Kerry side show class after interval to edge Clare

Report by Eoin Brennan courtesy of the Irish Examiner newspaper

McGrath Cup: Kerry 0-16 Clare 0-14

It was a far cry from the glamour and majesty of Croke Park in their last outing last July but merely as a cobweb-blowing exercise to commence the 2026 season, Kerry were delighted to prevail against their obstinate hosts in Clarecastle.

The All-Ireland champions may have only had four survivors from their All-Ireland success but facing a Clare side eager to impress new manager Paul Madden and off the back of a win against Waterford, Jack O’Connor was relieved to come away with all the McGrath Cup points for a finish.

Level twice early on, the Kingdom flexed their muscles in a dominant second quarter that saw them outscore their hosts by 0-9 to 0-3.

A four-point unanswered blitz through Charlie Keating, Daniel Kirby, Gearoid Hassett and a Thomas O’Donnell shot that just cleared the crossbar put daylight between the sides.

However, it was the attacking triumvirate of Cian O’Grady, Thomas O’Donnell and chief target man Tomás Kennedy that would ensure a double-scores 0-12 to 0-06 interval cushion.

Daniel Kirby of Kerry in action against Gavin Murray of Clare during the McGrath Cup match between Clare and Kerry at Clarecastle GAA Club in Clarecastle, Clare. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Thomas O’Donnell did have an early goal chance repelled by home goalkeeper Stephen Ryan on the resumption but that was as exciting as it got for Kerry supporters in the second period as they plateaued somewhat without the guidance of centre-back Mike Breen who was forced to retire through injury at the break.

The home side took full advantage as Eoin Cleary (3) and substitute Aaron Griffin kicked four of the first five points of the new half to halve the arrears to just three at 0-13 to 0-10.

Cian O’Grady did have a shot saved by Ryan at his near post for his counterpart Sean Broderick to convert from a ’45 while replacement Darragh O’Connor passed up a glorious opportunity to put the tie to bed.

However, with the door of opportunity left ajar, a resilient Banner matched anything the All-Ireland winners could throw at them before home talisman Dermot Coughlan earned and arrowed over a two-point free five minutes into additional time.

With 17 substitutions made, play continued and Clare would be able to carve out one final chance of a two-point leveller but Aaron Griffin’s effort would be expertly blocked for a relieved Kerry to garner victory and put one foot in the McGrath Cup final ahead of their final group tie against Waterford in Dr. Croke’s Park, Killarney this Sunday (2pm).

Post-Match Interview with Kerry Manager Jack O’Connor

Scorers for Kerry: C O’Grady 0-5 (3f); T O’Donnell 0-3; T Kennedy 0-2; C Keating, D Kirby, G Hassett, S Broderick (’45), D O’Connor (Beaufort) (f), C Trant (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: E Cleary 0-7 (4f); A Griffin, D Coughlan (1tpf) 0-2 each; A Sweeney, D Bohannon, C Murray (0-1 each).

Kerry: S Broderick (John Mitchels), E O’Connor (Na Gaeil), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), T Morley (Templenoe); C Keating (Dr. Crokes), M Breen (Beaufort), C Trant (St. Senan’s); S O’Brien (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh-Glencar); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), D Lyne (Killarney Legion), T O’Donnell (Castlegregory); C O’Grady (Castlegregory), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), G Hassett (Laune Rangers).
Subs: C Brosnan (Currow) for Kirby (ht), P O’Shea (Kilcummin) for Breen (HT, inj), C Collins (Rathmore) for O’Grady (45), D O’Connor (Beaufort) for Hassett (45), D Murphy (Rathmore) for E. O’Connor (47), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks) for Keating (48), S O’Connell (Cordal) for Smith (48), L Evans (Keel) for O’Donnell (48).

Clare: S Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks); A Sweeney (St. Breckan’s), F Kellher (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), M Doherty (Éire Óg); M Garry (Clondegad), I Ugwueru (Éire Óg), R Lanigan (Éire Óg); C Brennan (Clondegad), D Bohannon (Shannon Gaels); B Rouine (Ennistymon), D Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), G Murray (Éire Óg); E Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown), J Rafferty (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), C Murray (St. Joseph’s Miltown).
Subs: L Cotter (Ennistymon) for Garry (12, inj), M Nash (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Kelleher (HT), A Griffin (Lissycasey) for Rafferty (HT), E Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Bohannon (39, inj), J Stack (St. Breckan’s) for G. Murray (44), C O’Dea (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C. Murray (47), C McMahon (Ennistymon) for Doherty (49, inj), C Meaney (Lissycasey) for Sweeney (55), S Griffin (Lissycasey) for Coughlan (65).

Referee: J Regan (Cork).

Team Sheet

Fixture Details

Tuesday January 6th
Munster GAA McGrath Cup Football
Clare v Kerry
Venue: Clarecastle @ 7pm
Referee: James Regan (Cork)
Live on Clubber

Ticket Information

Adults: €10
Students / OAPs: €5
Under 16’s: Free

Tickets are available from participating Centra and Supervalu outlets or online via the link below.

Click here to buy tickets

Team News

KERRY (McGrath Cup v Clare): S Broderick (J Mitchels); T Morley (Templenoe), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), E O’Connor (Na Gaeil); C Keating (Dr Crokes), M Breen (Beaufort), C Trant (St Senan’s); S O’Brien (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh-Glencar); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), D Lyne (Legion), T O’Donnell (Castlegregory); C O’Grady (Castlegregory), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), G Hassett (Laune Rangers).
Subs: B Kelly (Kilcummin), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), D Murphy (Rathmore), P O’Shea (Kilcummin), K Spillane (Templenoe), C Brosnan (Currow), T Brosnan (Dr Crokes), C Collins (Rathmore), L Evans (Keel), D O’Connor (Beaufort), S O’Connell (Cordal).

Venue:

  • Clarecastle