Fourteen-man Kerry come good against Clare in Munster SFC

KERRY travelled to Cusack Park as League champions on Sunday last and as many people’s favourites as the only team that could deprive Dublin of a third All Ireland on the trot, however, by half time Kerry seemed to be in all sorts of bother having to turn over a man down while playing against the stiff wind.

Kerry had played second fiddle to the home side in that opening half, were five points down after just seventeen minutes, but in fairness to them they kicked the next six scores and went in at the break on level terms. Without the huge influence of Donnchadh Walsh for the entire second half, Kerry survived a Clare onslaught just after the restart and again the kicked another six points without reply, some of those fine scores from the likes of James O’Donoghue. Impressive sub Stephen O’Brien, copper-fastened victory with a fine solo goal three minutes from the end.

Looking back on the game, it is very likely that the Kerry management team will be very pleased that Kerry were presented with a right good test of their character for a full hour – and survived it playing with fourteen men. It certainly was a worry going into the game that Kerry had been inactive for nine weeks while Clare had got into championship mode with that first round game against Limerick. That may well have explained Kerry’s slow start but it must be said that the Kerry players showed tremendous character in the way they fought back to carve out a six points victory (1-18 to 1-12). Some of the scores kicked – by both sides it must be said – were out of the top drawer and James O’Donoghue’s return to top form will also have pleased Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his backroom team no end.

So Kerry have plenty to work on as they face old rivals Cork in the Munster Final at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on July 2. Cork were not over impressive when defeating Tipperary in their semi final last weekend, but there is nothing better to rouse the rebels than the sight of a green and gold jersey in Fitzgerald Stadium. It certainly is a game to look forward to.

Fitzgerald Stadium to host Munster Final

THE news that the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh would not be in a position to house the Munster Final meeting between the age old rivals on Munster football received a mixed greeting from Kerry football followers. It was bitter-sweet news in a way as on the one hand, Kerry followers – like their Cork counterparts - were looking forward to seeing the much talked about new stadium in the flesh and there would be no better way of baptising the venue than with a Kerry v Cork Munster final.

On the other hand, Kerry will now owe their arch rivals three Munster championship fixtures at a time when Kerry are building a new team of young inexperienced players. One has to feel some sympathy for the much maligned Cork GAA Board however and it certainly was unfortunate that enough time could not be made up to allow the huge project to be completed in time for the Munster final showdown.

So for the third Championship game in a row between the sides, the Lewis Road venue will hold the final. Back in 2015, the drawn Munster Final (Kerry 2-15 to Cork 3-12) attracted an attendance of 35,651, while the replay two weeks later on a wet Saturday evening 32,233 saw Kerry prevail on a score of 1-11 to 1-6. The senior final will throw in at 2pm.

The Minor final between Kerry and Clare is at 12 noon .