IT wasn’t entirely the David Clifford show – but it wasn’t far off it.
Apart altogether from his remarkable personal haul of 2-8, the supreme stylist from Fossa – the most gifted young player of his generation – dipped repeatedly into his bottomless box of magic tricks at Páirc Úí Rinn and destroyed a fancied Cork side in an engaging Munster Minor Football Championship semi-final.
The four-in-a-row seeking All-Ireland champions turned on the style in no uncertain terms to crush the Rebels with 10 points to spare, the final score reading 2-17 to 1-10 in Peter Keane side’s favour.
Kerry were certainly not over confident approaching this all-or-nothing encounter – the losers were out of the championship – but they were certainly finely tuned and well prepared as they produced a polished performance with standout stars in every area of the field.
They even brushed aside a shock Cork goal after just 15 seconds – Dromtariffe’s Evan Murphy shooting to the net following a burst forward from the throw-in by towering midfielder Mark Keane – and within three minutes Kerry were level courtesy of points from Kilgarvan’s Donal O’Sullivan and a David Clifford brace.
With Barry Mahony and Diarmuid O’Connor completely bossing midfield and the likes of Fiachra Clifford of Laune Rangers, Donnchadh O’Sullivan of Firies and Adam Donoghue of Castleisland Desmonds producing all-action performances and covering acres of ground, Kerry eased into control and David Clifford capitalised on that possession with a supremely struck seventh minute goal.
It was all Kerry from that point on and with Legion’s impressive Cian Gammell, Michael Potts of Dr Crokes, Niall Donohue, Chris O’Donoghue, Eddie Horan and Ryan O’Neill standing firm on guard duty, it allowed the Kingdom to attack relentlessly.
It was all one-way traffic as they tacked on points courtesy of Adam Donoghue, Fiachra Clifford, Donal O’Sullivan, Cian Gammell and Rathmore’s Brian Friel before the astute Fiachra Clifford carved out an opening and delivered the perfect pass to his skipper for the second Kerry goal four minutes before the break.
Peter Keane looked happy with what looked the perfect first half and why wouldn’t he with his charges entering the Pairc Uí Rinn dressing room at the break 2-9 to 1-5 to the good.
David Clifford picked up where he left off on the restart, kicking over three points in rapid fire succession and Donnchadh O’Sullivan of Firies – another outstanding young player who was a Hogan Cup star for St Brendan’s College – left it reading 2-13 to 1-7 on the scoreboard after 40 minutes.
Whatever chance Cork had of a comeback well and truly ended as early as the 43rd minute when a foot-block by a Kerry defender resulted in a Rebel spot kick but the agile netminder Deividas Uosis got down brilliantly to parry a well-placed low shot from the highly-rated Damien Gore who is in his third year with the Cork minors.
Peter Keane, wisely, ran his bench as the game progressed and three further points from David Clifford and another from substitute Jack Griffin of Dr Crokes eased Kerry to a 2-17 to 1-10 victory and into another provincial decider.
Their final opponents, on Sunday, July 2, will be Clare who defeated Limerick 3-13 to 0-12 in the other semi-final.
Kerry scorers: David Clifford 2-8 (0-3 frees); Donnchadh O’Sullivan 0-2; Donal O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 free); Fiachra Clifford 0-1; Adam Donoghue 0-1; Cian Gammell 0-1; Brian Friell 0-1; Jack Griffin 0-1.
Cork scorers: Evan Murphy 1-2 (0-1 free); Damien Gore 0-4 (0-2 frees); Cillian Myers Murray 0-3; Mark Keane 0-1;
Kerry: Deividas Uosis (Dingle), Ryan O’Neill (Na Gaeil), Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion), Michael Potts (Dr Crokes), Eddie Horan (Scartaglen), 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 Brian Friel; Michael Slattery (Austin Stacks) for Donnchadh O’Sullivan; Ciarán O’Reilly (Austin Stacks) for Fiachra Clifford; Patrick Warren (Gneeveguilla) for Donal O’Sullivan; Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin) for Ryan O’Neill; Michael O’Leary (Renard) for Cian Gammell.
Cork: Kevin McMahon (Kilshannig), Lorcan Finn (Mitchelstown), William Ronan (Kilmurry), Dylan Ward (Douglas), Jason Harrington (Adrigole), Peter O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers), Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline), Mark Keane (Mitchelstown), Ryan Walsh (Kanturk), Evan Murphy (Dromtariffe), Colm O’Callaghan (Eire Óg), Jack Murphy (Eire Óg), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Damien Gore (Kilmacabea), Cathal O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).
Subs: Cillian Myers Murray (St Finbarrs) for O’Mahony; Colm Barrett (St Finbarrs) for J Murphy; Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for Ronan; Shane Hickey (Millstreet) for Walsh; Sean Meehan (Kiskeam) for McCarthy; Rory O’Driscoll (Garnish) for Harrington (black card).
Referee: A Kissane (Waterford)
KillarneyToday.com: It’s the talk of the town. To advertise call 087-2229761
