Sport

Kerry take quality encounter

MUNSTER U-21 FC FINAL:  Kerry were pushed all the way by Clare despite having a seven-point winning margin in a thrilling and…

Sat Apr 06 2002 - 01:00

MUNSTER U-21 FC FINAL: Kerry were pushed all the way by Clare despite having a seven-point winning margin in a thrilling and high-scoring Munster under 21-football final played at Cusack Park, Ennis, last night.

Kerry 3-15...Clare 2-11: The foundation for victory was laid in the 10-minute period preceding half-time when Kerry scored 1-5 to a solitary Clare point. This followed a tight opening 20-minute period.

The Kingdom's first goal of the evening arrived in the 20th minute when corner forward D J Fleming fly-kicked to the net from close range after receiving a Paddy Kelly pass.

This left the Kerry 1-5 to 0-5 ahead and a further five points before the break saw the young Kerrymen lead 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time.

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Within a minute of the restart the lead had increased to 2-11 to 0-6; team captain Declan Quill shooting a point, while Colm Cooper took advantage of a slip by Clare fullback Mark Kelly to slot past Dermot O'Brien in the Banner goal.

Clare then struck back with a goal of their own, from the ever dangerous Rory Donnelly; this score kept the home side in with a shout, but still they managed to trail by 2-13 to 1-8 twelve minutes into the half.

Another Kerry goal, again from Fleming, put the side further ahead, and closer to victory, near the mid-point of the half.

But Clare refused to yield and in determined fashion, with 12 minutes remaining, produced another goal.

Substitute Eoin Curtin from the right wing found Michael O'Dwyer and his firmly struck shot rocked the Kerry net.

But overall it proved to be too little too late for the Clare team. This was a game of quality by both sides and will be remembered for its skill, speed and some spectacular scores.

Kerry scorers: C Cooper 1-4, 0-1 free; D J Fleming 2-1; D Quill 0-4; R O'Connor 0-3, 1free; J O'Connor, 0-1 free; S Scanlon, D O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Clare scorers: M O'Dwyer 1-3, 0-2 frees; R Donnelly 1-0; S Hickey 0-3; B Crowley 0-3, 1free; A Keane, J Keane 0-1 each.

Kerry subs: D O'Sullivan for Costello; P Galvin for Kelly; T J Hogan for Curran; D Long for R O'Connor.

Clare subs: D Shannon for McInerney; E Curtin for Clohessy; D McMahon for Kelly; J Keane for Monohan.