Clare champs will smell blood

KERINS O’RAHILLYS are in Munster semi-final action tomorrow – despite losing their Kerry Championship games by an average of just under nine points.

The Strand Road club fell to eventual winners, amalgamation side East Kerry, by 2-20 to 1-11, before losing to Dingle by 3-15 to 0-10.

It didn’t get much better in Round 3 when they were crushed by Spa on a 4-13 to 0-16 scoreline.

On average, they shipped 25 points per game and were well off qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Clare’s Eire Og, Ennis will be sniffing blood.

Five stand alone clubs,

Austin Stacks, who were later relegated, Kenmare Shamrocks, Dingle, Templenoe and Dr Crokes made the last eight of the Kerry County Championship ahead of O’rahillys.

But Kerins sneak into Munster by virtue of winning the Kerry club championship back in September, when they edged out Templenoe on a 0-15 to 0-14 scoreline in the final.

It was the Tralee outfit’s first club championship win since 2010.

Amalgamation sides like Feale Rangers, East and Mid Kerry, are not allowed to compete in the club championship

Kerins have current Kerry seniors David Moran and Jack Savage as well as former Kerry stars Tommy Walsh and Barry John Keane.

But Éire Óg, who are back-to-back Clare champions, will fancy their chances going into the lion’s den – Austin Stack Park, Tralee – tomorrow.

Paul Madden’s side beat Ennistymon by 0-9 to 0-6 in the county final, with eight dual players on board who had lost the senior hurling final to Ballyea the weekend before.

Captain Gavin Cooney was the star of the show in the football final, converting six dead balls in a drab affair. Big Clare midfield man, Darren O’neill (inset) is a key player for Éire Óg and others to look out for are Aaron Fitzgerald and Ciaran Russell.

The other Munster semifinal sees Clonmel Commercials take on Limerick’s Newcastlewest at Semple Stadium.

Clonmel recorded a hugely impressive seven-point win over Nemo Rangers at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last time out.

This is a big test of the talented Clonmel side’s mentality as they’ve been installed as favourites for the Munster title.

Their side is littered with quality, from Tipperary hurling star Seamus Kennedy at full back to Sean O’connor at full forward.

Clonmel’s win over Nemo was fully merited with Jason Lonergan, Colman and Conall Kennedy and Kevin Fahey all excellent.