Munster Minor Football Semi-Final – Kerry 1-15 Waterford 2-6

Kerry defeated Waterford by 1-15 to 2-6 in the Semi Final of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship on Wednesday in Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney.

Click to view photos from the game

Kingdom still a work in progress, says manager

By Denis Hurley for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Kerry 1-15 Waterford 2-6

The outcome was as expected, even if the method was not, as Kerry booked a place in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC final with victory over Waterford at Fitzgerald Stadium last night. Rated as short as 1/50 with the bookmakers, the hosts looked good in the first half, but allowed 14-man Waterford into the game after half-time. Kerry manager Mick Ned O’Sullivan would have liked it done in a better fashion. “It’s a work-in-progress,” he said. “We played well against the wind for 20 minutes in the first half but then I felt the lads stood back and thought that they had their job done. Young lads can take their foot off the pedal, they’re only learning to be ruthless and they’re not ruthless yet anyway.”

While Conor Gleeson’s free had equalised Jack Savage’s opener for the hosts, Micheál Burns restored Kerry’s lead and then, in the ninth minute, wing-back David Foran’s surging run was rewarded as Savage’s flick fell into his hands and he swept his finish past Craig Brown. Playing with the wind, Kerry were stronger in all areas as Waterford suffered a lack of chances to get together since beating Limerick in the first round. With the benefit of three games before this, it looked like the Kerry management were close to their best. Cian O’Connor, who came into midfield alongside Kieran Murphy, dominated the skies while Horan, who was in the half-forward line, exerted more influence from centre-forward.

Goalscorer Foran had gone in the opposite direction, but was still a threat from deep, while Éanna Ó Conchúir, who was earlier deployed in midfield, formed a fluid full-forward line with captain Savage and Conor Keane. Both corner-forwards benefited from nice interplay to boost their tallies in the first half while Killian Spillane also looked bright at times, and Keane’s point from Savage’s pass made it 1-6 to 0-2 by the 16th minute. Defensive questions remained for Kerry, however. A storming run from Waterford midfielder Tom Devine resulted in a goal chance for full-forward Kevin Daly then, but Kerry keeper Shane Ryan saved well, not for the first time in Kerry’s provincial campaign. By half-time, Kerry’s lead was 1-9 to 0-4, and it would have been more had Keane not shot wide from close range after he had done well to bring down an Éanna Ó Conchúir delivery.

With only Willie Hahessy getting on the scoresheet for Waterford alongside Gleeson, however, the visitors’ task going into the second half was a big one, and it became even more difficult when full-back Tomás Cooney was sent off for two bookings within five minutes of the restart, Savage extending Kerry’s lead with a free. Just as he had during the first half, though, Devine slalomed through the Kerry cover from midfield, this time opting to shoot himself, firing high past Ryan to leave six points in it. After Waterford’s Paul O’Connor answered Savage’s sixth point with a free at the other end, the same gap — 1-11 to 1-5 — pertained with fewer than 20 minutes left. Kerry’s attacking play was not as keyed in as the first half, Savage’s free-taking reliability notwithstanding, and Waterford goalkeeper Brown had more than one point attempt drop into his grasp. Matthew Flaherty should also have scored a second Kerry goal but he shot high and wide, but when Waterford won a 54th-minute penalty after a footblock on Hahessy’s effort, Cormac Curran put his effort outside the post. When they were awarded another as Ryan was judged to have fouled Devine, Gleeson took it and scored, but it was too late to matter.

Scorers for Kerry: J Savage 0-8 (0-7 frees), C Keane 0-4, D Foran 1-0, T Brosnan (free), M Burns, K Spillane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: C Gleeson 1-2 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees), T Devine 1-0, W Hahessy, P O’Connor (frees) 0-2 each.

KERRY: S Ryan; B Sugrue, C Ó Lúing, F Clifford; M Flaherty, P Ó Conchúir, D Foran; K Murphy, C O’Connor; K Spillane, G Horan, M Burns; C Keane, É Ó Conchúir, J Savage.

Subs: T O’Sullivan for Sugrue (half-time), B O’Sullivan for Murphy (49), T Brosnan for Savage (55).

WATERFORD: C Brown; D Ryan, T Cooney, J Mullaney; B O’Keeffe, B Looby, M Shine; C Curran, T Devine; J Curry, C Gleeson, W Hahessy; M Troy, K Daly, P O’Connor.

Subs: J Allen for Daly (37), C Murray for Troy (43), M Casey for Hahessy (45-47, blood), Casey for Curry (59).

Referee: K Murphy

Team News

The Kerry Team to play Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster GAA Minor Football Championship Semi Final in Fitzgerald Killarney on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm shows three changes in personnel and a number of positional changes from the side that defeated Clare in the semi final playoff. Cian O’Connor, who comes in at midfield to partner Kieran Murphy, and Michéal Burns who starts at wing forward, were both introduced against Clare while Eanná Ó Conchúir returns from injury at full forward. Kevin Shanahan, Conor Jordan and Shane O’Connor are the players to lose out. Among the positional changes are ; David Foran moves from wing forward to wing back and Greg Horan moves in the opposite direction from the half back line to centre forward. The team is as follows:

1. Shane Ryan Rathmore

2. Brian Sugrue Renard

3. Cathal Ó Luing An Ghaeltacht

4. Fionán Clifford Waterville

5. Matthew Flaherty Daingean Uí Chúis

6. Pádraig Ó Conchúir Daingean Uí Chúis

7. David Foran St Senans

8. Kieran Murphy Glenflesk

9. Cian O’Connor Castleisland Desmonds

10. Michéal Burns Dr Crokes

11. Greg Horan Austin Stacks

12. Killian Spillane Templenoe

13. Conor Keane Killarney Legion

14. Éanna Ó Conchúir An Ghaeltacht

15. Jack Savage Kerins O’Rahillys

16. Darragh O’Shea Ballydonoghue

17. Shane O’Connor John Mitchels

18. Kevin Shanahan Ardfert

19. Conor Jordan Austin Stacks

20. Barry O’Sullivan Daingean Uí Chúis

21. Tom O’Sullivan Daingean Uí Chúis

22. Tony Brosnan Dr Crokes

23. Conor O’Shea St Marys

24. Cian Sayers Kerins O’Rahillys

Management Team:

Bainsteoir: Mickey Ned O’Sullivan (Kenmare)

Selectors: John O’Keeffe (Austin Stacks), Peter Keane (St Marys)

The Waterford Minor Football team to play Kerry on Wednesday night in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Semi Final in Killarney on Wednesday night at 7:00pm.

1. Craig Brown Erins Own

2. Jack Mullaney Stradbally

3. Tomás Cooney The Nire

4. Dermot Ryan The Nire

5. Michael Shine Ballinameela

6. Brian Looby Ballinacourty

7. Billy O’Keeffe Gaultir

8. Cormac Curran Brickey Rangers

9. Tom Devine Modeligo

10. Willie Hahessy Rathgormack

11. Conor Gleeson The Nire

12. Jason Curry Rathgormack (CAPTAIN)

13. Michael Troy Modeligo

14. Kevin Daly Dungarvan

15. Paul O’Connor Clashmore Kinsalebeg

PRO Contact Details

Kerry PRO John O’Leary – pro.kerry@gaa.ie and 086-302 6041

Waterford PRO Emer Barry – pro.waterford@gaa.ie and 087-9506613

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

For the Record

MUNSTER GAA FOOTBALL MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

First Round

Friday April 19^th

@ Pairc Ui Rinn                              Cork 2-13 Kerry 2-13

Saturday April 20^th

@ Cusack Park Ennis                    Tipperary 1-10 Clare 0-8
@ Fraher Field Dungarvan                        Waterford 3-10 Limerick 3-9

First Round Replay

Friday April 26th

@ Austin Stack Park Tralee           Cork 3-6 Kerry 0-10

Semi-Final Play-off 1

Saturday April 27^th

@ Cusack Park Ennis                    Clare 1-12 Limerick 0-9

Semi-Final Play-off 2

Saturday May 4^th

@ Austin Stack Park Tralee           Kerry 0-15 Clare 0-9

Semi-Finals

Wednesday May 15^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles           Cork v Tipperary                                           @ 7:30pm
@ Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney    Waterford v Kerry                                         @ 7:00pm

Final
Sunday July 7^th

@ TBC                                                                                   @ 12:00 noon

Useful Information

Last Meeting – April 17th 2012 – Kerry 1-14 Waterford 1-3

Munster Semi-Final Playoff at Fraher Field Dungarvan

Kerry: G. Curran (Dingle); C. O’Luing (An Ghaetacht), G. Crowley (Templenoe). S. O’Connor (John Mitchels); B. Crowley (Templenoe). R. Murphy (Beaufort). J. Barry (Na Gaeil); E. O’Conchuir (An Ghaeltacht). K. Murphy (Kilcummin); N. Sheehy (John Mitchels). J. Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys). C. Fitzgerald (Churchill); K. McCarthy (Kilcummin). D. Daly (St. Mary’s). C. Keane (Legion).

Subs: A. Spillane (Templenoe) for Fitzgerald (26); G. O’Shea (Dr Crokes) for McCarthy (H.T.); S. Moloney (John Mitchels) for Barry (H.T.); G. Horan (Austin Stacks) for O’Luing (33); A. Barry (Brosna) for Sheehy (57).

Waterford: A. Kirwan (Stradbally); C. Burke (Tramore). J. O’Donnell (Brickey Rangers). B. Looby (Ballinacourty); S. O’Donovan (Modeligo), T. Burke (Clashmore), J. Barron (An Ghaeltacht); T. Devine (St Patrick’s), M. Kiely (St Patrick’s); A. O’Donoghue (Gaultier), M. Curry (Rathgormack), P. O’Connor (Clashmore); C. Gleeson (Nire), L. Houlihan (Brickey Rangers), R. Donnelly (Dungarvan).

Subs: S. Halley (St Olivers) for C. Burke(40); M. Casey (Clanna Gael) for O’Donoghue(48); M. Troy (St Patrick’s) for Houlihan(54); D. Scanlon (Clashmore) for Kiely(58).

Scorers –

Kerry: J. Savage (0-6); C. Keane (1-1); K. Murphy (0-3); N. Sheehy (0-2, 0-1 free); K. McCarthy, D. Daly (0-1) each.

Waterford: D. Donnelly (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free); M. Curry, L. Houlihan (0-1) each.

Referee: Kevin Murphy, Cork

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Football Championship every year since 2001. Defeat for Kerry v Clare will see Kerry’s winning streak come to an end.

Kerry have played 53 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship since 2000, the most of any other counties in the province.

Tipperary are going for 3 Munster Minor Football titles in a row for the first time having won two in a row in 1934 / 1935 and 2011 / 2012.

Tipperary have won their last 7 games in the Munster Minor Football Championship and have won 10 of their last 11 matches over the last three seasons when you include the All-Ireland series.

Since 1956, Cork and Kerry have won every Munster Minor Football title with the exception of 1984, 1995, 2011 and 2012 when Tipperary were successful.

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 (7)

1934, 1935, 1955, 1984, 1995, 2011, 2012

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 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

2013 Munster Minor Football Championship Matches played

Cork 2-13 Kerry 2-13 – April 19^th @ Pairc Ui Rinn (Munster Quarter-Final)

CORK: A Casey; M McSweeney, K Histon, N Hayes; K O’Neill, S Cronin, R O’Callaghan; P O’Neill, R Harkin; D O’Driscoll, K O’Connor, K Cremin; C O’Driscoll, M Cahalane, J Bushe
Subs: D Quinn for Hayes (21), A Moynihan for C O’Driscoll (26), S White for P O’Neill (44), R O’Sullivan for D O’Driscoll (47), T Horgan for Histon (50), P O’Brien for R Cahalane, C O’Driscoll for Moynihan (both start of extra time), M Prendergast for Horgan (63), D O’Driscoll for Bushe (69), Moynihan for Cremin (77).

KERRY: S Ryan; ST Dillon, C Ó Lúing, P Ó Conchúir; M Flaherty, G Horan, B Sugrue; É Ó Conchúir, B O’Sullivan; T Ó Sé, J Savage, D Foran; C Keane, S O’Connor, K Spillane
Subs: K Shanahan for O’Sullivan (half-time), C Jordan for O’Connor (49), F Clifford for Sugrue (55), C Murphy for É Ó Conchúir (56), É Ó Conchúir for Ó Sé (72), M Burns for Foran (77).

Referee: Alan Kissane (Waterford)

Waterford 3-10 Limerick 3-9 – April 20^th @ Fraher Field Dungarvan (Munster Quarter-Final)

Waterford – C Brown; D Ryan, T Cooney, J Mullaney; B O’Keeffe, B Looby, J Barron; C Curran, T Devine; W Hahessy, M Casey, J Curry; M Troy, C Gleeson, P O’Connor
Subs: J Gleeson for Curry (h-t), K Daly for Casey (44), R Brown for Mullaney (55), C Murray for Troy (57).

Limerick – T Dwyer; S Mullins, J Murphy, D Cussen; S O’Dea, S Cahill, K Ryan; J Naughton, G Reidy; J English, C Sheehan, J Naughton; H Leahy, C O’Shea, J Breen
Subs: J O’Neill for Ryan (40), S Brosnan for Leahy (49), E Murphy for Cussen (49), K Daly for O’Shea (52).

Referee – Kevin Murphy (Cork)

Tipperary 1-10 Clare 0-8 – April 20^th @ Cusack Park Ennis (Munster Quarter-Final)

Tipperary – J Brady; D Owens, J Feehan, W Connors; L Boland, R Mulcahy, K Fahey; M Russell, C O’Riordan; M Meagher, J Keane, L Casey; A Tynan, T Kirwan, P Maher
Subs: P Shanahan for Meagher inj.(26), E Maloney for Casey (38), M Connolly for Feehan (56), M O’Connor for Boland (58).

Clare – K Normoyle; F Pyne, J O’Dea, L Howard; K Malone, E Clancy, J Browne; E Hanrahan, D Walsh; J Downes, P O’Malley, C O hAinfein; E Courtney, C Galvin, B Keating
Subs: L Madigan for Galvin (h-t) J Woods for Malone (h-t), O Hanrahan for Browne (35), D Nagle for Clancy (51), C O’Dea for O’Malley (56).

Referee – B Stack (Limerick)

Cork 3-6 Kerry 0-10 – April 26^th @ Austin Stack Park Tralee (Munster Quarter-Final Replay)

Cork: A Casey; M McSweeney, K Flahive, D Quinn; S White, S Cronin, K O’Neill; R Harkin, K O’Connor; J Bushe, C Kingston, R O’Sullivan; M Cahalane, A Moynihan, R O’Sullivan
Subs: D O’Driscoll for O’Sullivan, K Histon for Quinn (both 36), R Cahalane for Moynihan (43), P O’Brien for O’Neill (51), C O’Driscoll for Cahalane (60).

Kerry: S Ryan; ST Dillon, C Ó Lúing, P Ó Conchúir; M Flaherty, G Horan, B Sugrue; É Ó Conchúir, K Shanahan; T Ó Sé, J Savage, D Foran; C Keane, C Jordan, K Spillane
Subs: M Burns for Spillane, F Clifford for Dillon (half-time), P Carroll for Foran (50), S O’Connor for Ó Conchúir (54).

Referee: David Grogan (Tipperary)

Clare 1-12 Limerick 0-9 – April 28^th @ Cusack Park Ennis (Munster Semi-Final Playoff 1)

Clare – K Normoyle; F Pyne, J O’Dea, D Nagle; J Browne, J Woods, K Malone; E Hanrahan, D Walsh; J Downes, P O’Malley, C O hAinifein; E Courtney, C Galvin, B Keating
Subs: L Madigan for O’Malley; C O’Dea for O hAinifein; A Davidson for Galvin; B Cahill for Browne; C Finnucane for Downes.

Limerick – T Dwyer; S Mullins, E Murphy, J Murphy; D Cussen, G Reidy, S O’Dea; K Fahy, S Cahill; J Naughton, J Breen, J English; B O’Connell, C Sheehan, H Leahy
Subs: G McCarthy for Leah; S Brosnan for English; J O’Neill for O’Dea; C O’Shea for Fahy; K Daly for Naughton.

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry)

Kerry 0-15 Clare 0-9 – May 4^th @ Austin Stack Park Tralee (Munster Semi-Final Playoff 2)

Kerry – S Ryan; B Sugrue, C O Luing, P O Conchuir; M Flattery, G Horan, F Clifford; K Shanahan, K Murphy; D Foran, J Savage, C Jordan; K Spillane, S O’Connor, C Keane
Subs: Tomas O Se for C Jordan ( 17), M Burns for D Foran ( 36), C O’Connor for K Shanahan ( 55), J Rice for T O Se (60), B O’Sullivan for K Murphy ( 60).

Clare – K Normoyle; D Nagle, J O Dea, F Pyne; J Browne, J Woods, K Malone; E Hanrahan, D Walsh; C O’Dea, P O’Malley, C O hAinifeain; E Courtney, B Keating, J Downes
Subs: L Madigan for J Downes (h-t), C Pyne for J Browne (40), C Galvin for C O’Dea (45), A Davidson for P O’Malley (48), C Finucane for E Courtney (54).

Referee: Brendan Stack (Limerick)

2013 Top Scorers – Munster Minor Football Championship

Michael Cahalane (Cork) – 2-10 (0-7 frees)
Jack Savage (Kerry) – 0-15 (0-13 frees)
Barry Keating (Clare) – 1-12 (0-9 frees)
Conor Keane (Kerry) – 1-11 (0-1 free, 0-1 ‘45’)
Killian Spillane (Kerry) 1-4
Alan Tynan (Tipperary) – 1-2
Jack Breen (Limerick) – 0-5 (0-3 frees)
James Naughton (Limerick) – 0-5 (0-2 frees)
Paddy O’Malley (Clare) – 0-5 (0-4 frees)
Jack English (Limerick) – 1-1
Conor Gleeson (Waterford) – 1-1
Paul O’Connor (Waterford) – 0-4 (0-1 free)
Tom Kirwan (Tipperary) – 0-4
Brian O’Connell (Limerick) – 1-1
Kieran Daly (Limerick) – 1-0
Killian O’Connor (Cork) – 0-3
Aidan Moynihan (Cork) – 1-0
Kevin O’Neill (Cork) – 1-0
Tom Devine (Waterford) – 1-0
Kevin Daly (Waterford) – 1-0
Own Goal by Kerry – 1-0
Michael Troy (Waterford) – 0-3 (0-1 free)
Eimhin Courtney (Clare) – 0-3
Liam Madigan (Clare) – 0-3
Don O’Driscoll (Cork) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Josh Keane (Tipperary) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Joe Downes (Clare) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Dara Walsh (Clare) – 0-2
Cian Sheehan (Limerick) – 0-2

Richard O’Sullivan (Cork), Stephen Cronin (Cork), Jack Bushe (Cork), Ryan Harkin (Cork), David Foran (Kerry), Matthew Flaherty (Kerry), Conor Jordan (Kerry), Tomás  Ó Sé (Kerry), Éanna Ó Conchúir (Kerry), Brian Sugrue (Kerry), Kieran Murphy (Kerry), Michéal Burns (Kerry), Willie Hahessy (Waterford), Cormac Curran (Waterford), Henry Leahy (Limerick), Liam Casey (Tipperary) (0-1 free), Paul Maher (Tipperary), Kieran Malone (Clare), A Davidson (Clare) – 0-1 each