Impressive Kerry see off Clare challenge in Munster intermediate camogie semi-final

Kerry 2-12

Clare 0-6

Kerry had a tough enough league in the top tier without some of their top guns and, understandably enough, took the drop back down to Division 2A for next year.

That journey was well worthwhile, though, as Kerry unearthed a strong vein of underage talent. The Kerry minors made it to an All Ireland semi-final and senior manager Brian D’Arcy wasn’t afraid to put them in at senior level.

Kerry made a bright start to the Munster Intermediate Championship after a three-week interim from their last game.

Kate Lynch teed up Ruth O’Connor for her first ever senior point (it certainly won’t be her last, judging by her impressive display here) and Lynch then won a free adroitly clipped over by Jackie Horgan.

Aisling Cooney got Clare on the board with a free of their own, but in truth Clare’s shooting looked a bit rusty early on and they left a few scoring chances behind them.

A great Kerry move saw Aoife Behan drive out of defence and find Kate Lynch, who timed her lay-off to Jackie Horgan perfectly and the net bulged. 1-2 to 0-1 and things looking good for a very purposeful Kerry.

Clare picked up the pace, with Kate O’Gorman beginning to take control. Aisling Cooney popped over another free, as did lively corner-forward Mary Hanrahan, who also added two points from play.

Kerry needed to regain momentum before the break and a superbly struck Jackie Horgan ’45 was enough to give them a narrow one point advantage at the break, with Kerry leading by 1-3 to 0-5.

Kerry came out with all guns blazing in the third quarter. With Sara Murphy, Aoife Behan, Kate Lynch, and especially the outstanding Caoimhe Spillane driving them on, they really took the game to the Banner.

Jackie Horgan was doing immense damage on the square any time the sliotar came near her. Granted, Kerry had a bit of luck when Jackie’s ’45 dipped into the Clare net for a goal, but she also added a free and a point from play, while Kate Lynch popped over another.

Suddenly Kerry were leading by 2-6 to 0-5 and in complete control. Clare, to their credit, did battle away bravely, but could only muster another free from substitute Ella Cahill for all their efforts, while Lynch, Horgan, and relative newcomers Amy McCarthy and Ella Conway clipped over scores for Kerry.

In the end, a convincing and very satisfying win for Kerry and a real confidence. Kerry will face the Intermediate sides of either Cork or Tipperary in three weeks’ time in the Munster Final.

That will, understandably, be a tougher test, but judging by this display, Kerry look well primed for it.

KERRY: Aoife Fitzgerald, Rachel McCarthy, Niamh Leen, Michelle Costello, Áine O’Connor, Sara Murphy, Aoife Behan, Caoimhe Spillane, Clodagh O’Sullivan, Ruth O’Connor (0-1), Kate Lynch (0-3), Anne Marie Leen, Amy O’Sullivan, Jackie Horgan (2-6, 1-1’45, 3f), Norette Casey Subs: Amy McCarthy 0-1 for N Casey, half-time, Niamh Quinn for C O’Sullivan, 47, Laura Collins for AM Leen, 53, Emma Conway (0-1) for A O’Sullivan, 56, Roisín Quinn for A Behan, 56

CLARE: Sophie Cullen, Rebecca Crowe, Bonnie Wiley Murphy, Sineád Hogg, Jennifer Nicholas, Rachel Kelly, Eimear Begley, Sineád Power, Danielle Beston, Olivia Phelan, Aisling Cooney (0-2, 2f), Mary Hanrahan (0-3, 1f) Subs: Elisha Rynne for E imear Begley, 28, Ella Cahill (0-1f) for D Beston, 37, Aoife McNamara for O Phelan, 49, Regan Conway for S Power, 53

REFEREE: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)