CAPTAIN fantastic David Clifford and the brilliant Donal O’Sullivan from Kilgarvan booted Kerry to yet another Munster Minor Football Championship crown as Peter Keane’s finely-tuned charges crushed hapless Clare, 2-21 to 0-3, at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney this afternoon.
O’Sullivan, a real opportunist in front of the posts, finished the game with a fabulous 2-8 – four of the points from frees – while Fossa star Clifford chipped in with some super scores, with six points to his credit at the close.
Clare – who managed just a single point from play and three in total – were simply no match for the Kingdom who were scoring for fun as the game progressed with O’Sullivan pouncing for two late goals to put a real gloss on the scoreboard.
If the second half belonged to the Kilgarvan teenager then the first was all about David Clifford who knocked over a succession of early points on his way to the man-of-the-match award.
Leading 0-10 to 0-2 at half time, Kerry had stars all over the field with Chris O’Donoghue, Ciam Gammell and Sean Ó’Leary a lock-tight full back line, Eddie Horan from Scartaglen a powerhouse at centre back and Barry Mahony and Diarmuid Connor lording it around the middle of the park all afternoon.
David Clifford and Donal O’Sullivan were not the only shining stars in a slick forward division with the hugely industrious Fiachra Clifford – who must have covered every blade of grass in the stadium – and Donnchadh O’Sullian from Firies catching the eye as Kerry’s minors extended their unbeaten run to 25 games.
They will take some stopping.
Kerry scorers: Donal O’Sullivan 2-8 (0-4f), David Clifford 0-6, Fiachra Clifford 0-3, Donnchadh O’Sullivan 0-2, Brian Friel 0-1, Jack Griffin 0-1.
Clare scorers: Dermot Coughlan 0-2 (frees), Diarmuid Ryan 0-1.
Kerry: Deividas Uosis (Dingle), Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin), Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion), Michael Potts (Dr Crokes), Eddie Horan (Scartaglin), Niall Donohue (Firies), Barry Mahony (St Senans), Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds), David Clifford (Fossa), Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan), Fiachra Clifford (Laune Rangers), Donnchadh O’Sullivan (Firies), Brian Friel (Rathmore).
Subs: Jack Griffin (Dr Crokes) for Friel; Michael O’Leary (Renard) for Gammell; Patrick Warren (Gneeveguilla) for David Clifford; Ciarán O’Reilly (Austin Stacks) for Donnchadh O’Sullivan; Ryan O’Neill (Na Gaeil) for Donoghue.
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