Quality Clare in a different class

NHL DIVISION TWO Clare 6-23 Kerry 1-18:AS EXPECTED Clare easily dismissed the challenge of Kerry on Saturday at Cusack Park, Ennis in this Division Two clash.

The Banner County recorded a merited 20-point point victory on a day when Kerry allowed their opponents way too much space around the park, permitting the Clare attack plenty of time on the ball to set up scores at will.

At the half-time whistle the hosts lead by 4-15 to 1-6. John Conlon, who operated at wing forward helped himself to two well-taken goals in the 3rd and 11th minutes respectively, while his club-mate Nicky O’Connell added a third.

Full-forward Diarmuid McMahon struck a fourth in injury time. Kerry’s only goal of the game came about as a result of the quick-thinking John Egan who pounced on a Darragh O’Connell free and drilled to the Clare net in the 34th minute.

The 18-point deficit proved a bridge too far for the Kingdom but nevertheless they never dropped their heads.

Relying in the main on pointed frees from Darragh O’Connell after the break, Kerry failed to stem the tide conceding two further goals to Diarmuid McMahon in the 41st and a late effort from a free by sub Caimin Morey.

CLARE: D Tuohy; P Vaughan), C Cooney, D ODonovan; B Bugler, J McInerney (0-1, free), C Dillon; N O'Connell (1-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 65), S Collins (0-3); J Conlon (2-1), F Lynch (0-2), J Clancy (0-3), C Ryan (0-2, frees), D McMahon (2-1), C McGrath (0-3, 0-1 free). Subs: D Honan (0-3) for Ryan inj. (17 mins), P Donnellan for McInerney (49 mins), C McInerney for McMahon (51 mins), C Morey (1-0, free) for Lynch (57 mins), L Markham for OConnell (64 mins).

KERRY: B Rochford; E Fitzgerald, T Murnane, C Harris (0-1); P OGrady, M Conway (0-1, free), A Royle; P Costello, D Dineen; S Nolan (0-3), L Boyle), D Wallace; D OConnell (0-11, all frees), R Kenny (0-1), J Egan (1-1). Subs: J Casey for Royle (17 mins), J Flaherty for Wallace (59 mins), T Moloney for Kenny (59 mins), D Fitzell for Costello (63 mins).

Referee: P Green(Galway).