Sport

All too easy for Kerry as Sheehan shines

Munster U-21 FC Kerry 1-21 Clare 1-7 Once Kerry contained Clare's first-half challenge, they dominated the opposition in this…

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Thu Jun 17 2004 - 01:00

Munster U-21 FCKerry 1-21 Clare 1-7 Once Kerry contained Clare's first-half challenge, they dominated the opposition in this Munster under-21 game at the Austin Stack Park, Tralee, last night.

The game was marred by a serious neck injury sustained by Kerry corner forward Kieran Cronin, after an accidental collision with Enda Coughlan which caused a 10-minute delay just before half-time.

Clare played with a stiff breeze in the first half and gave as good as they got yet Kerry still managed to raced to a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening six minutes with Bryan Sheehan kicking three points and Cronin getting the other one.

Pat Finucane replied for Clare, who fought back with two more points but Sheehan struck for a goal in the 13th minute.

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Clare responded with a Coughlan point and a goal from a penalty by Seán O'Meara after Ogie Murphy was fouled in the box. Those levelled matters at 1-4 each after 17 minutes.

Colm Cooper and Sheehan pushed Kerry two points clear before Coughlan replied for Clare. Kerry, though, finished the half stronger with two points from Cooper to see them lead 1-8 to 1-5 at the interval.

The second half was a stroll for Kerry as their front men ran riot, scoring 10 points without reply to lead by 1-18 to 1-5. Clare managed two points after that but Kerry finished with a flourish as Kieran Donaghy added a point and Sheehan, struck over two more.

KERRY: S Clifford; A O'Connell, B O'Mahony, F Griffin; P Sheehan, R O'Flatharta, J McGillycuddy; P Kelly (0-1), K Donaghy (0-1); D Walsh (0-2), D O'Sullivan, Dromid (0-2), S Foley; K Cronin (0-1), B Sheehan (1-8, six pointed frees), C Cooper (0-5, one free). Subs: D O'Sullivan, Lispole (0-1) for K Cronin (injured), S O'Neill for J McGillycuddy, B Kealy for S Clifford, M O'Mahony for R O'Flatharta, D Doona for C Cooper.

CLARE: D McInerney; B Moloney, K Dilleen, E Malone; D Blake, M Tubridy, E Talty; P Finucane (0-1), F O'Dea (0-1); B Curtin, E Coughlan (0-2), S Hickey (0-1); P Hynes, S O'Meara (1-1, One penalty goal), O Murphy. Subs: M Whelan for M Turbidy, J Larkin (0-1) for E Coughlan, M Moloney for P Hynes, J Guinnane for E Talty.

Referee: M Ryan (Limerick).