New-look Kerry kicked a litany of wonderful points as they cantered to a facile 0-32 to 0-10 victory over Clare at Fitzgerald Stadium.

The winners are through to a provincial final showdown with Cork later this month, while the Banner County will be in the bowl for the second-round Qualifier draw.

With a sprinkling of fresh and exciting talent on board, the Kingdom produced a sharp and slick first-half performance to roar into a commanding 0-16 to 0-4 interval lead. The hosts were better in every department and gave their opponents the run-around during those opening 35 minutes - and thereafter.

In front of a crowd of 16,729 paying patrons enjoying the glorious sunshine in Killarney as well as the exceptional point-taking, the Banner actually slotted the first two points through Eoin Cleary (free) and Pearse Lillis but the Kingdom hit back with scores from Micheal Burns, Sean O'Shea (3), David Clifford and Stephen O'Brien to take control.

When David Tubridy registered Clare's third, the hosts reeled off ten without reply from Paul Geaney (3), O'Brien, James O'Donoghue (2), Burns, O'Shea (2) and Jack Barry to put the game out of the visitors' reach.

Clare's Jamie Malone posted points either side of O'Brien upon the restart but Kerry pushed on with further points from Geaney (2), O'Donoghue (free) and O'Shea as the gap went out to 15. Cleary and O'Donoghue traded frees and substitute Barry John Keane - what does he have to do to get a start? - cancelled out a Tubridy free.

Clifford, Keane, O'Shea and Geaney all increased their tallies and the losers replied with a couple from Cleary. Kieran Donaghy was given a seven-minute cameo as the holders eased into the provincial decider on the back of a very impressive display.

Anthony Maher, Paul and Michael Geaney, Darran O'Sullivan and Keane banged over the last five points of the match as Eamonn Fitzmaurice's men completed a satisfactory day's work. Not a bad way to start your championship voyage!

Kerry - S Murphy; P Crowley, R Shanahan, T Morley; J Foley, P Murphy, G White; D Moran, J Barry (0-1); M Burns (0-2), S O'Shea (0-7, 4f, 1'45), S O'Brien (0-3); D Clifford (0-2, 1f), P Geaney (0-7, 1f), J O'Donoghue (0-4, 2f). Subs: M Geaney (0-1) for M Burns, B J Keane (0-3, 1f) for J O'Donoghue, B O Beaglaoich for R Shanahan, A Maher (0-1) for D Moran, D O'Sullivan (0-1) for D Clifford, K Donaghy for S O'Shea.

Clare - E Tubridy; C O'Dea, C Brennan, G Kelly; C O hAinifein, J Malone (0-2), A Fitzgerald; G Brennan, C O'Connor; K Malone, E Collins, P Lillis (0-1); E Cleary (0-5, 4f), D Tubridy (0-2, 1f), K Sexton. Subs: G O'Brien for K Malone, E Courtney for D Tubridy, G Cooney for K Sexton, E O'Connor for C O hAinifein, C Finucane for C O'Dea.

Referee - B Cassidy.

Tweet

Most Read Stories