One down one to go as Clare banish fear of the big guns

MUNSTER U-21 FOOTBALL FINAL: Keith Duggan talks to Clare manager Martin Keogh as the conquerors of Cork take on Kerry

Conviction was the one characteristic that Clare manager Martin Keogh concentrated on prior to Clare's first-round game against Cork.

"It was vital that we made sure these lads knew that they could live with a team like Cork. It took a while and we did a lot of work in that regard months before the game itself. But when the day arrived, we went out there to try and win it and thankfully scraped through at the end."

This evening, Clare seek to bookend a remarkable Munster campaign with a win in the final against Kerry. As against Cork, they will not be hotly tipped and, as manager, Keogh is under no illusions. "I saw Kerry play Limerick and they are a good side, have a lot of talent. But then I have never seen a poor Kerry underage side. Much will depend on our focus," he says.

"Against Cork, we were in tune from the outset, but in the semi-final against Waterford we were much poorer. Waterford hit something like 12 wides and they were unlucky, to be frank. If we are anyway as lax against Kerry, we will be in deep trouble."

Goals have featured prominently in Clare's progress to date. A pair of strikes either side of half-time against Cork gave them daylight enough to stave off a late onslaught.

Similarly, they struck Waterford twice and won 2-12 to 0-12. But Keogh doesn't feel that Clare will depend on goals if they are to topple to Kerry.

"No, not really. I think it would be foolish of us to expect to take goals against what is a good Kerry defence. The most important thing is that we take the opportunities for points, the simple chances.

"In all games, there is an element of luck when it comes to goals. If you get the break, by all means take it and we have done that so far. But you can't rely on goals to win games for you."

Keogh's first session with the under-21 side was on November 25th. Since then, it has been twice weekly, with challenge games or further sessions at the weekends.

The time was spent nurturing them, developing confidence as well as ball skills. Clare's record in underage Munster finals is far from glowing and they hold an awkward position in the provincial hierarchy.

Often, teams found themselves strong enough to advance past Limerick, Tipperary or Waterford only to find the big two, Cork or Kerry, waiting for them at the other end.

"Cork and Kerry teams are always going to be strong, it's a fact. But our team has come along," says Keogh. We took great inspiration from what Limerick did in the recent past. They just blew us away in the Hastings Cup last year and illustrated what the traditionally weaker counties could do.

"I suppose teams sat up a bit after we beat Cork and we carry that tag now. But the situation hasn't really changed. Lose and you go out, so you may as well have the courage to take the game on.

"We are hampered by the fact that a number of our players are injured for the game. Two of our starting players both suffered injuries in challenge games and John Moody has difficulty in gaining release from the Cadets.

"But still, it's a home venue for us and I think that at this stage, our players do genuinely believe that they can compete with teams like Kerry. So I feel that if we go out there this evening with that attitude and take our chances that we can certainly put ourselves in contention."