Win over Clare sets up Munster Final against Tipperary

THE Kerry senior footballers comfortably advanced to another Munster final when disposing rather easily of the Clare challenge to win by an eleven points margin at sunny Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon last (2-22 to 0-17) before a fine attendance of 11,500. From the moment Colm Cooper’s speculative shot went all the way to the Clare net within a minute of the throw-in, there was never any doubt as to who the winner would be though Clare it must be said, stuck to their task to put up a very respectable score on the day. Stephen O’Brien and Paul Geaney were in terrific form up front for Kerry who led by seven points, 2-10 to 0-9, at the interval and Kerry kept that seven points margin between the sides throughout the second half.

Welcome news for the Kerry management was the return of Anthony Maher after a long lay-off with a hip injury while James O’Donoghue also saw a return to action with his clu, Legion, against Dr Crokes in a League game on Sunday morning. Debutantes, Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Tadhg Morley, acquitted themselves well in the half back line.

So Kerry progress to a Munster final on July 3 but who would have believed that Tipperary will provide the opposition and not Cork? Tipp, despite losing eleven of their squad this year for all sorts of reasons, upset the form book and surprised Cork in Semple Stadium to record their first win over the Rebels since 1944.

The last time these sides met in a final was in 1998 in Thurles when Kerry won by 0-17 to 1-10 with Maurice Fitzgerald kicking 10 points. The sides met last year in Semple Stadium when Kerry won by 2-14 to 2-8 but Tipp are now managed by former Kerry and Austin Stacks player Liam Kearns who succeeded Peter Creedon at the helm at the start of the season.

The Munster final will be played in Fitzgerald Stadium with a 2pm throw-in and it will be preceded by the Minor final between Kerry and Cork at 12 noon.

Juniors smash and grab victory over Limerick

The Kerry Junior team needed a goal deep into injury time to break the resolve of an unlucky Limerick side in the Junior semi final in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday last. Kerry had started well in both halves, but each time Limerick had reeled in their lead and when the Treaty side goaled at the three quarter stage it looked as if the reigning champions, albeit with a new team, were on their way out of this year’s campaign, However they fought to the final whistle and were rewarded when Adrian Spillane punched Paul O’Donoghue’s long delivery to the net in the 75th minute to record a 2-16 to 1-16 victory. Kerry will now play Cork in the Munster final on Thursday June 30 in Austin Stack Park at 7:30.

Acorn Life U-21 Championship

The Acorn Life U-21 Championship starts next Wednesday, June 22 when there will be a preliminary round game and seven first round games down:

The remaining first round game sees the winners of the Mid Kerry V Shannon Rangers preliminary round play host to St Kierans.

Junior Football Leagues

The Junior Leagues continue on this Friday with Round 5 games down for decision. Fixtures in this competition have suffered over the last two weekends due to the senior leagues taking precedence but many clubs have rescheduled games for midweek. A reminder that in all groups, the top team on points qualifies for the final, while 2nd and 3rd placed teams play a semi-final with 2nd placed team having home venue.

Under-17 Football Competition

Austin Stacks qualified for the final of the non-exam Under-17 football competition following a 4-21 to 3-13 semi-final victory over St Kierans last weekend. The other semi-final between West Kerry and Firies was not played.