FOOTBALL: Five star Kerry blitz bashful Banner

Munster Senior Football Championship Final

Kerry 5-14 Clare 0-15

A deflating end to Clare’s most promising provincial run in over a decade as a goal hungry Kerry eased to their 12th Munster Senior Football crown in 14 seasons in the TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick, writes Eoin Brennan.

Five timely goals in a 30 minute spell midway through the final dismantled Clare’s lacklustre challenge as David Clifford (2), Tony Brosnan, Dara Moynihan and Paudie Clifford carved out an unassailable 16 point chasm only ten minutes into the new half at 5-9 to 0-8.

That was the major difference between the sides as the expectedly clinical All-Ireland champions took almost every chance that came their way and royally punished any Clare errors. Meanwhile, up the other end, early second half goal chances for substitute Ronan Lanigan and Podge Collins were both repelled by goalkeeper Shane Ryan to only accentuate the Banner’s frustration.

With the Clifford brothers David and Paudie raiding for major either side of Clare’s chances, a ten point interval cushion (3-8 to 0-7) was extended to 16.

Captain Eoin Cleary, Keelan Sexton, Emmet McMahon and the relentless Ciaran Russell kept up the Clare fight but without a consolation goal or even a hint of one in the final 25 minutes, there was a distasteful sense of inevitability about the result.

With just 13 days to the start of the All-Ireland series against Donegal in Cusack Park, at least Colm Collins’ side have a shot at redemption if they can circle the wagons.

Kerry: Shane Ryan (Rathmore); Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks); Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), Gavin White (Dr. Crokes); Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), Jack Barry (Na Gaeil); Dara Moynihan (Spa), Seanie O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), Paudie Clifford (Fossa); Tony Brosnan (Dr. Crokes), David Clifford (Fossa), Paul Geaney (Dingle)

Subs: Brian Ó Beaglaioch (An Ghaeltacht) for T. O’Sullivan (50), Killian Spillane (Templenoe) for Geaney (50), Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks) for Moynihan (50), Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Barry (60), Mike Breen (Beaufort) for G. O’Sullivan (60)

Scorers: David Clifford (2-6, 4f); Dara Moynihan, Tony Brosnan (1-1 each); Paudie Clifford (1-0); Seanie O’Shea (0-2, 1’45); Dylan Casey, Gavin White, Paul Geaney, Killian Spillane (0-1 each)

Clare: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks); Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), Manus Doherty (Éire Óg); Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg), Jamie Malone (Corofin), Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen), Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg); Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare), Emmet McMahon (Kildysart); Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Podge Collins (Cratloe)

Subs: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg) for Doherty (HT), Brian McNamara (Cooraclare) for O’Connor (HT), Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) for Coughlan (48), Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) for O’Neill (57), Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora) for Collins (57)

Scorers: Eoin Cleary (0-6, 4f); Emmet McMahon (0-4, 2f); Stephen Ryan (2f), Keelan Sexton (0-2 each); Ciaran Russell (0-1)

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)