Tag Archives: Clare U20 football

Munster Under 20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 2 Tipperary 1-10 Clare 0-07 Clare finally exited the Munster Under 20 Football Championship but not without a fight as they went toe-to-toe with hosts Tipperary in Ardfinnan. In what was a winner-takes-all showdown to keep their slender final hopes alive, the neighbours produced a tense encounter that saw only a kick of the ball between the sides for the majority. Indeed, despite Tipperary continually shooting themselves in the foot in front of the posts in a wind-assisted second period, only a goal separated the sides by the hour mark before a 14 man Clare finally had to succumb to three injury-time points from Tipprary substitutes Daithi Hogan (2) and Paddy O’Keeffe. While the result was fully merited, Clare can be much more satisfied with their performance than seven days earlier when merely attempting to contain holders Kerry in Quilty. Michael Neylon’s side were far more combative as they effectively disrupted Tipperary’s …

Munster Under 20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 1 Kerry 1-13 Clare 0-05 A new year but the status quo remains in situ as holders Kerry rolled in and out of West Clare with little fuss to complete a successful first defence of their Munster Under 20 crown in Páirc Naomh Muire, Quilty. The evening seemed ripe for an upset or at least a revolt as the stormy conditions allied to Clare’s three match Phase 1 experience appeared set to provide a hostile competitive bow for the holders. Appearances were deceiving though as despite a gale at their backs for the opening period, Clare not only failed to ruffle Kerry’s feathers but never even took the lead at any stage as an early Charlie Keating goal left the home side playing catch-up for the remainder of the half. Lateral passing and no direct target at the edge of the square, clear anomalies against Tipperary in similar circumstances at the same …

Eoin Brennan looks ahead to the Munster Under 20 Football Championship Semi-Final between Clare v Kerry at Hennessy Memorial Park Miltown Malbay Having already emphatically brushed aside one hoodoo by bridging a 26-year gap to their last victory over Tipperary at this grade, Clare have an opportunity at exorcising two more significant ghosts when hosting Kerry at the penultimate stage back in Miltown Malbay this Monday evening. With the carrot of a first Munster Under 20 Final appearance since 2002, taking down the might of the Kingdom for the first time in 14 seasons would be seen a a major shock even allowing for Clare’s incremental underage development to contest three of the last five provincial minor deciders. After all, Kerry, along with annexing eight of the last nine provincial minor crowns, are also joint top of the Under 20 (formally Under 21) roll of honour with 28 titles. It’s a task that Clare will relish though, hitting the ground …

Michael Neylon’s charges had far too much firepower for the Faithful, writes Michael O’Connor CLARE……………2-11 OFFALY………0-6 Following an early season win against Limerick in UL the week previous Clare went to Offaly for round two of the Under 20 football tournament. The Offaly training facility in Kilcormac Killoughey hosted the game. Michael Neylon’s side remain unbeaten following Clare’s comfortable 11 point win. Clare were quick off the mark and aided by a strong defensive unit they curbed the efforts of the home side. After 25 minutes the Clare forwards had taken a firm grip on proceedings with goals coming from Brian McNamara and Shane Griffin as Cian Mahony and Griffin once more with points left Clare (2-3) to (0-4) ahead at the interval. With Fergal Ginnane, Ciaran McMahon and Fionn Kelliher on top there was little real respite for Offaly in the second half as they required a strong sequence of scores to gain a foothold in the game. With …