Electric Ireland Munster MFC S-Final – Kerry 0-17 Clare 3-4

Rejuvenated Kingdom back for shot at final glory

Kerry 0-17 Clare 3-04

By Kieran McCarthy for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Almost 12 months on from the night of one of Kerry’s lowest moments in the Munster MFC, the Kingdom survived a late onslaught from Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis last evening to book their place in this year’s final. Last year Kerry surrendered an 11-point lead in the provincial semi-final against Tipperary before losing out but Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s current young guns were full value for this win that has set-up a Munster decider against the Premier — a team that already beat the Kingdom this season.

But O’Sullivan is more bullish ahead of the rematch: “We know that Tipp were probably 10 points the better team when we met them last but we are looking forward to another crack. We are a better team now, we are playing a better brand of football and the lads are getting more confident. “There is more to come from this team. They play a beautiful brand of football. We just decided to stand back and let them play instead of telling them how to play. We were holding them back I felt.”

Leading 0-10 to 2-3 at half time, Kerry bossed the second period as Clare struggled, notching just 1-1. But Conor Cleary’s second goal — rifling home a 59th minute free — set-up a cracking finale, dragging them to within a point, 0-14 to 3-4. Kerry didn’t panic though, instead they used the ball intelligently and worked scores from the excellent centre-back Ronan Murphy, and subs Sean Moloney and Niall Sheehy to guarantee a victory they deserved. Trailing 0-2 to 0-1 after the early exchanges, it was Clare that made the first serious move of the game just five minutes in when full-forward Eoin Cleary was dragged down in the square after a surging run. His twin brother Conor was clinical with his penalty, passing the ball into the top right corner to send Clare 1-1 to 0-2 ahead.

And by the time their second goal arrived midway through the half, Kerry had outscored the home side 0-4 to 0-1 — to move 0-6 to 1-2 ahead. With the Kerry full-back line looking very fragile early on, the excellent Clare skipper Jamie Malone took full advantage, driving past three Kerry backs before slipping home an excellent solo goal, as Clare hit the front again (2-2 to 0-6). But as the half wore on Kerry settled with Cillian Fitzgerald (2), Gavin O’Shea and Conor Keane giving them a 0-10 to 2-3 ahead at the break. A Darragh Carmody brace for Kerry was sandwiched by a Brian Crowley point and the visitors led 0-13 to 2-4, with 10 minutes left. In a thrilling finale, Kerry held their nerve to book their final spot against a county that has held the upper-hand over them as this level in recent years.

Scorers for Kerry: J Savage (3f) 0-5, C Fitzgerald 0-3, C Keane, D Carmody 0-2 each, G O’Shea, B Crowley, R Murphy, S Moloney, N Sheehy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: C Cleary (1-0 pen, 1-1f) 2-1, J Malone 1-2, E Cleary 0-1f.

KERRY: G Curran; C Ó Luing, G Crowley, S O’Connor; B Crowley, R Murphy, G Horan; K Murphy, E Ó Conchúir; G O’Shea, J Savage, C Fitzgerald; D Carmody, D Daly, C Keane.

Subs: S Moloney for D Daly (ht); N Sheehy for J Savage (60); G O’Sullivan for C Fitzgerald (60).

CLARE: L Corbett; S Garry, F Pyne, J Brown; E Clancy, C Murray, C McNelis; J Malone, E Hanrahan; S Corry, N Deasy, K Malone; B Lynch, E Cleary, C Cleary.

Subs: S McGuire for F Pyne (ht); M O’Leary for K Malone (ht); J Downes for N Deasy (37); E Courtney for E Hanrahan (44); M Bohannon for C McNelis (50).

Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick)

Team News

KERRY (MF v Clare): G Curran (Dingle); C Ó Luing (An Ghaeltacht), G Crowley (Templenoe), S O’Connor (John Mitchels); B Crowley (Templenoe), R Murphy (Beaufort), G Horan (Austin Stacks); K Murphy (Kilcummin), E Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht); G O’Shea (Dr Crokes), J Savage (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), C Fitzgerald (Churchill); D Carmody (Na Gaeil), D Daly (St Mary’s), C Keane (Legion)

Subs: S Cahillane (Keel), S Moloney (John Mitchels), E Doyle (Ballyduff), M Tierney (Kerins O’Rahillys), D O’Flaherty (Cromane), J Barry (Na Gaeil), G O’Sullivan (Listry), D Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), A Spillane (Templenoe), N Sheehy (John Mitchels), C Sheahan (Legion)

CLARE (MF v Kerry) – Liam Corbett; Fergal Pyne , Sean Garry, Jack Brown; Eoin Clancy, Cian Murray, Conor McNelis, Jamie Malone, Eoin Hanrahan; Kieran Malone, Niall Deacy, Sean Corry; Barry Lynch, Eoin Cleary, Conor Cleary

For the Record

MUNSTER GAA FOOTBALL MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

First Round

Saturday April 14^th

@ Gaelic Grounds Limerick            Cork 3-13 Limerick 0-6
@ Austin Stack Park Tralee            Tipperary 2-9 Kerry 0-8
@ Cusack Park Ennis                      Clare 2-20 Waterford 0-6

Semi-Final Play-off 1

Tuesday April 17^th

@ Fraher Field Dungarvan  Kerry 1-14 Waterford 1-3

Semi-Final Play-off 2

Tuesday April 24^th

@ Austin Stack Park Tralee            Kerry 3-9 Limerick 0-5

Semi-Finals

Wednesday May 16^th

@ Pairc Ui Chaoimh Cork v Tipperary @ 7:30pm

@ Cusack Park Ennis Kerry v Clare @ 7:30pm

Final
Sunday July 8^th

Useful Information

Clare’s victory against Waterford in the first round ensured a semi-final place in May. Clare have qualified for the Munster Minor Football Semi-Final in just 2 of the previous 6 seasons dating back to 2006, losing the semi-finals of 2009 (to Kerry) and 2011 (to Cork).

Kerry’s defeat to Tipperary in the 2012 first round match broke a 12 match unbeaten run at Austin Stack Park Tralee in this competition dating back to 1993. On that occasion, Cork defeated Kerry by 2-7 to 1-9 in the Munster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final on July 9^th 1993.

Prior to 2012, Kerry’s last defeat in a first round Munster Minor Football Championship game was in March 2002 when they lost to Tipperary by 2-11 to 2-9 at Kilmallock. Kerry avenged that defeat with a 3-16 to 2-6 win over Tipperary in the 2002 Munster Final played at Semple Stadium Thurles.

Kerry have never lost 2 Munster Minor Football Championship matches in the one year.

Limerick have lost 7 of their last 8 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship dating back to 2008. Their only success in that time was a 3-10 to 2-4 victory over Waterford at Kilmallock in the first round in 2010.

Dating back to 2005, Waterford have won 1 of their last 17 games in the Munster Minor Football Championship.

Since 1956, Cork and Kerry have won every Munster Minor Football title with the exception of 1984, 1995 and 2011 when Tipperary were successful.

Tipperary have played 48 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship since 2000, more than any other Munster county.

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Football Championship every year since 2001.

2012 Munster Minor Football Championship Matches played to date

Tipperary 2-9 Kerry 0-8 – April 14^th @ Austin Stack Park Tralee (Munster First Round)

Kerry: S Cahillane; C Ó Lúing, G Crowley, S O’Connor; B Crowley, R Murphy, G Horan; E Doyle, G O’Sullivan; S Moloney, D Ó Sé, E Ó Conchúir; N Sheehy, D Daly, C Keane.
Subs: K Murphy for G O’Sullivan (18); C Fitzgerald for D Daly (30); A Spillane for E Doyle (41); A Barry for N Sheehy (46); J Savage for D Ó Sé (58).

Tipperary: E Comerford; T O’Donoghue, J Feehan, L Egan; K Fahey, D Fitzelle, B Maher; S O’Brien, P Quirke; J Lonergan, J McGrath, G Henry; J Shelly, I Fahey, C Kennedy.
Subs: D Cass for T O’Donoghue (36); J Maher for G Henry (52); T Kirwan for J McGrath (56); TJ Ryan for J Shelly (58).

Referee: James Bermingham (Cork)

Clare 2-20 Waterford 0-6 – April 14^th @ Cusack Park Ennis (Munster First Round)

Clare: L Corbett, F Pyne, S Garry, J Brown, C McNeilis, C Murray, M Bohannon, J Malone (Capt.), E Hanrahan, S Corry, N Deasy, T Lynch, B Lynch, E Cleary, C Cleary
Subs: S McGuire for Corry (38), C Deasy for T Lynch (38), N Pender for C Cleary (46), E Clancy for Bohannon (48), C Burke for E Cleary (52).

Waterford: A Kirwan, D Fitzgerald, B Looby, S Halley, T Devine, T Burke, J Barron (Capt.), M Houlihan, M Casey, M Curry, M Kiely, S O’Donovan, A O’Donoghue, P O’Connor, R Donnelly.
Subs: C Gleeson for Casey (half-time), D Scanlon for Houlihan (39), C Burke for Fitzgerald (41), L Houlihan for Curry (43).

Referee: David Grogan (Tipperary)

Cork 3-13 Limerick 0-6 – April 14^th @ Gaelic Grounds Limerick (Munster First Round)

Cork:  M Martin; S O’Leary, T O’Rourke, S Cronin; K Crowley, C Hyde, J Davis; P Fitzgerald, A O’Donovan; S T O’Sullivan, C Vaughan, B O’Driscoll; K McIntyre, K O’Connor, C Horgan.
Subs: I Maguire for McIntyre (half-time), A Moynihan for O’Connor (half-time), E Dennehy for Crowley (36), A Murphy for O’Leary (53), P Kelleher for Fitzgerald (58).

Limerick: J O’Meara; D Greaney, M O’Connor, K Meade; P White, S Cahill, S Barrett; D Condron, R Burke; S O’Dea, D Daly, R McKenna; J Frawley, D O’Donovan, E O’Donnell.
Subs: T McCarthy for McKenna (28), C O’Shea for O’Dea (28), J Breen for Frawley (35), G Bateman for O’Donnell (50), C Sheehan for O’Donovan (53).

Referee: Edmund Walsh (Kerry)

Kerry 1-14 Waterford 1-3 – April 17^th @ Fraher Field Dungarvan (Munster Semi-Final 1^st Playoff)

Kerry — G Curran; C U Luing, G Crowley, S O’Connor; B Crowley, R Murphy, J Barry; E O Conchuir, K Murphy; N Sheehy, J Savage, C Fitzgerald; K McCarthy, D Daly, C Keane.
Subs: A Spillane for Fitzgerald (27), S Moloney for Barry (h-t), G O’Shea for McCarthy (h-t), G Horan for O Luing (34), A Barry for Sheehy (54).

Waterford — A Kirwan; C Burke, J O’Donnell, B Looby; S O’Donovan, T Burke, J Barron; T Devine, M Kiely; A O’Donoghue, M Curry, P O’Connor; C Gleeson, L Houlihan, R Donnelly.
Subs: S Halley for C Burke (42), M Casey for O’Donoghue (49), M Troy for Houlihan (54), D Scanlon for Kiely (59).

Referee — Kevin Murphy (Cork)

Kerry 3-9 Limerick 0-5 – April 24^th @ Austin Stack Park Tralee (Munster Semi-Final 2^nd Playoff)

Kerry: G Curran; C Ó Luing, G Crowley, S O’Connor; B Crowley, R Murphy, G Horan; E Ó Conchúir, K Murphy; G O’Sullivan, J Savage, C Fitzgerald; N Sheehy, D Daly, C Keane.
Subs: G O’Shea for N Sheehy (41); A Barry for C Keane (54); D Collins for C Ó Luing (58); D Foran for D Daly (60); E Doyle for K Murphy (60).

Limerick: J O’Meara; D Greaney, M O’Connor, K Meade; P White, S Cahill, S Barrett; D Condron, R Burke; E O’Donnell, D Daly, T McCarthy; D Stapleton, D O’Donovan, J Breen.
Subs: J Frawley for T McCarthy (41); R McKenna for D Daly (44); D Jones for D Greaney (48); C O’Shea for D O’Donovan (50).

Referee: Michael Rock (Clare)

2012 Top Scorers – Munster Minor Football Championship

Conor Horgan (Cork) – 3-0 (1-0 penalty)
Eoin Cleary (Clare) – 1-6
Ryan Donnelly (Waterford) – 1-6 (1-0 penalty, 0-1 free)
Jack Savage (Kerry) – 0-8 (0-4 frees)
Colman Kennedy (Tipperary) – 2-2 (0-2 frees)
Conor Cleary (Clare) – 0-6
Niall Sheehy (Kerry) – 0-6 (0-4 frees)
Kieran Murphy (Kerry) – 0-5 (0-2 45)
Conor Keane (Kerry) – 1-2
Eanna O’Conchuir (Kerry) – 1-1
Brian O’Driscoll (Cork) – 0-4 (0-2 frees)
Gerald O’Sullivan (Kerry) – 1-0
Gavin O’Shea (Kerry) – 1-0
Sean T O’Sullivan (Cork) – 0-3
C Deasy (Clare) – 1-0
B Lynch (Clare) – 0-3
J Malone (Clare) – 0-3
Denis Daly (Kerry) – 0-2
Sean Moloney (Kerry) – 0-2
Dara O’Se (Kerry) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Robbie Burke (Limerick) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Alan O’Donovan (Cork) – 0-2
Cathal Vaughan (Cork) – 0-2
TJ Ryan (Tipperary) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Bill Maher (Tipperary) – 0-2

N Deasy (Clare) – 0-2

Greg Horan (Kerry), Cillian Fitzgerald (Kerry), D Scanlon (Waterford), L Houlihan (Waterford), M Curry (Waterford), Jason Lonergan (Tipperary), Ian Fahey (Tipperary), Philip Quirke (Tipperary), Adam Barry (Kerry), Sean Barrett (Limerick), Jack Breen (Limerick), G Bateman (Limerick), C Sheehan (Limerick), Ian Maguire (Cork), Paul Fitzgerald (Cork) 0-1 each

Munster Minor Football Championship Roll Of Honour

Kerry (41)

1931, 1932, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009.

Cork (29)

1939, 1952, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010

Tipperary (6)

1934, 1935, 1955, 1984, 1995, 2011

Clare (3)

1929, 1930, 1953

Limerick (1)

1956

Munster Minor Football 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 in1929 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/mf_teams/

Munster Minor Football Cup

The Tadhg Crowley Cup was presented by Munster Council in 1990 to commemorate late Munster Council Treasurer. Tadhg was elected as Munster Council Treasurer in 1968 and served until his death in December 1989. A teacher by profession, he also served as Kerry County Board Secretary from 1955 until 1970. Tadhg was recognized as a specialist in organizing and handling styles and gates at big Munster Championship games.

All Ireland Minor Football Championship

In the Minor Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 11 titles while Cork are tied for second with Dublin with 10 titles. Clare won the first All-Ireland Minor Football title in 1929 while Tipperary’s two All-Ireland successes at this grade came in 1934 and 2011. Between them Munster counties have accounted for 24 All-Ireland Minor Football titles, ahead of Leinster and Ulster (20 titles each) and Connacht (17 titles).

Kerry were All-Ireland Minor Football Champions in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1946, 1950, 1962, 1963, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1994

Cork were All-Ireland Minor Football Champions in 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1991, 1993, 2000