Category: Sport

Avenue United 3 – Ennis Town Rock 3 at Lees Road, Ennis

A HUGELY entertaining and incident filled game saw Avenue United and Ennis Town Rock share the spoils in Lees Road on Sunday.

In a game that had it all, Avenue twice took the lead but were pegged back by Ennis Town Rock, an amalgamation between schoolboy club Ennis Town and junior side Rock Rovers.

The new boys took the lead in the second half through Daryl Eade’s penalty before Mikey Mahony tapped home from close range for a late equalsier. A summary of the action only tells half the drama. It was breathless stuff from first kick to last. Literally.

Avenue took the lead directly from the kick off; last year’s cup champions later missed a penalty while both sides had chances to win it late on. All told a draw was probably the fairest result.

Having blitzed the daylights out of Rock Rovers in their last league meeting, a youthful looking Avenue side were clearly intent on steamrolling their re-named opponents in the early stages. Still the manner in which they took the lead probably exceeded even their expectations.

With the wind at his back, David McCarthy decided to test young Town goalkeeper Sean Kennedy. The midfielder’s shot from the halfway line had enough power and dip to sail straight into the net. 1-0 to Avenue.

With confidence sky-high, Avenue flooded forward to maximise the damage. Town and in particular Kennedy stood tall with the goalie producing one full length save to deny Irish schoolboy international Dylan Casey.

Town weathered the worst of the storm and hit back when the impressive Daryl Eade tapped in from close range after Eoin Glynn’s free kick.

Avenue regained the lead minutes later when a well-worked cross field passing move found Casey in space to bury a powerful shot.

By now Ennis Town Rock had gained a degree of parity with Av- enue in the crucial midfield area. A swift break and cross from the right found Dean Gardiner who buried a right footed half volley past John Healy.

The sides were level 2-2 at half time. There was no let up in the action after the break with Town looking dangerous on the counter attack through the pace of Eade, Gardiner and Glynn. They hit the front on the hour mark when Eade converted from the spot. Avenue, looking very comfortable in possession, patiently probed for gaps in Town’s defence. Kennedy then produced a fine save to keep out an Avenue penalty in the 75th minute.

Avenue were eventually rewarded when Sean Corry’s low centre was turned home by Mahony. Glynn and substitute Adrian Walsh both missed chances to win it for Town late on.

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy,Alex, Mattie Nugent, Shane Browne, Dylan Casey, Gary Flynn, Pa Wilson, David McCarthy, Sean Corry, Mikey Mahony

Subs
Alan Roche, David Russell for Brown

Ennis Town Rock
Sean Kennedy, Barry Woods, JasonWhite, Shane Daniels, Ronan Judge, Ethan Considine, Francis Daniels, Ciarán Russell, Daryl Eade, Eoin Glynn, Dean Gardiner

Subs
Richie Neylon for Judge, AdrianWalsh for Considine,

Referee
David McCarthy

Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-14 – Wolfe Tones 0-06 at Lissycasey

WITH both sides having secured their passage into the quarter-final stage with a match to spare, this early Sunday afternoon contest was never going to be as competitive as their last championship meeting in Lissycasey.

That was the famous afternoon in 2007 when the Shannon side ambushed the men from the barony of Ibrickane in the quarter-final.

That was a stormy enough affair – this was pedestrian stuff, predictable enough too as Kilmurry Ibrickane further franked their status as the team to beat in this year’s championship with a comfortable eight-point win.

Not that the Tones were unduly bothered – for them the 2011 championship has already been a resounding success as they’ve bucked the prediction of many that they’d be more a relegation side than the top eight side they now are.

They were competitive enough here, especially in the first half when playing against the breeze that blew towards the dressing room end.

They had three points on the board inside the first then minutes, all from the boot of Gary Leahy, who was making his return to the side after missing the victory over Kilmihil through suspension.

However, an early 0-3 to 0-2 lead quickly evaporated as Kilmurry slowly warmed to their task of hoovering up two more championship points.

Mark McCarthy and Johnnie Daly had landed their opening points, while another Daly free on 16 minutes and an effort from play by Enda Coughlan two minutes later put them ahead by 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.

Kilmurry never really looked back and from there until half-time took control, with three more points ensuring that they reeled off five-in-a-row to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Niall Hickey teed up Michael O’Dwyer for a point in the 20th minute. Straight from the subsequent kick-out midfielders Seamus Murrihy and Paul O’Connor created an opening for Michael Hogan, while they rounded off an impressive half with the point of the day in the 28th minute when a raid up the roadside of the field was finished over the bar by Shane Hickey.

And when Hickey made another raid two minutes after the re-start to land his second point this game had an inevitable look to it as Kilmurry could afford to play within themselves and run out comfortable winners.

An Ian McInerney free and an effort from play had them 0-9 to 0-4 head by the 48th minute, with the Tones’ lone point coming from a Stephen Monaghan effort four minutes into the half.

Monaghan landed another point in the 50th minute, but points by Mark McCarthy, Ian McInerney and Shane Hickey’s third had them out of sight before Stephen Moloney and Chris Dunning traded points in injury time.

Kilmurry Ibrickane
Peter O’Dwyer (7), Shane Hickey (9) (0-3), Darren Hickey (7), Martin McMahon (7), EvanTalty (6), Enda Coughlan (7) (0-1), Ian McInerney (6) (0-2f), Paul O’Connor (6), Seamus Murrihy (6), Mark McCarthy (7) (0-2), Michael O’Dwyer (7) (0-1), Michael Hogan (6) (0-1), Niall Hickey (7) (0-1), Noel Downes (6), Johnnie Daly (6) (0-2).

Subs
Stephen Moloney (7) (0-1) for Daly [45 Mins], Seamus Lynch (6) for Hogan [45 Mins].

Wolfe Tones
Jason Casey (7), Stephen Carroll (6), Craig O’Brien (7),WilliamFlynn (6), Alan Downes (6), Brendan Hughes (6), Stephen McInerney (6), Patsy Keyes (7), Joe McGauley (7), GaryWhelan (6), Chris Dunning (6) (0-1), Kevin Corbett (6), Gary Leahy (6) (0-3, 1f), Darren Ryan (6), Stephen Monaghan (7) (0-2, 1f).

Subs
Niall Murphy for [45 Mins], Sean Reidy (6) for McGauley [50 Mins].

Man of the Match
Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane) Referee Michael Fitzgerald (Clondegad)

Turnpike Rovers 4 – Kilrush Rangers 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

AFTER their opening round fixture against Manus Celtic (A) was abandoned by the match referee, Turnpike Rovers returned to winning ways with victory over Kilrush Rangers on Sunday.

Despite the concession of an early goal, Turnpike hit back to lead 2-1 at half time. The Ennis side pushed on after the break, confirming their dominance with two further goals. Centre forward Eric Considine was influential for Pike, scoring one and having a hand in two more goals.

Kilrush will be disappointed to have lost out especially after making such a promising start. They will look to get back on track tomorrow night when they take on Rhine Rovers. It was all Kilrush in the early stages and the visitors were rewarded with a well-taken goal. Terry Herlihy did well to skip around a couple of Turnpike defenders before rolling the ball into the net.

The home side responded in impressive fashion. Eric Considine found the net for the equaliser before Clinton Keane was brought down for a penalty. Dean O’Grady stepped up to convert and give Pike the lead.

Brendan Dobbins extended Rovers’ lead after the break before Robert Carey responded with a penalty for Kilrush.

The game was in the melting pot until Considine set up substitute John Ferns for Pike’s decisive fourth goal.

Turnpike Rovers
Ian Mounsey, Donagh Hassett, Darren Daly,William O’Keefe, Mark Woods, Davy McMahon, Dean O’Grady, Clinton Keane, Brendan Dobbins, Jason Hayes, Eric Considine

Subs
John Ferns

Kilrush
John O’Connor, Cedric McNamara, Martin Danaher,Tony Burke, Patrick Coleman,Terry Herlihy, Robert Carey, Eoin Fitzgerald, Niall Brennan,Trevor Clancy, John Carmody

Avenue United B 2 – Corofin Harps 3 at Lees Road, Ennis

THAT Corofin Harps are battlers is a given and it certainly hasn’t taken them long to prove this adage true – the latest display of the never-saydie that famously carried them to back-to-back Clare Cup triumph half a decade ago coming on their maiden voyage in the 2011/12 season.

There may be many changes in personnel from those glory years, but the return of Diarmuid Daly – the midfield dynamo of those Clare Cup wins in 2005 and ’06 – to the Corofin ranks played a huge part in this stirring comeback victory.

It looked bleak for Corofin after the first 15 minutes of this Sunday morning encounter. They trailed by two goals, with Avenue’s second string having hit the ground running with early strikes from Darren O’Meara and Josh Lynch.

However, Harps threw themselves a deadline just before the break when Stephen Keane got the decisive touch in a conjested penalty area to poke the ball home past Nathan Murray in the Avenue goal.

Then in the second half substitue Daly, who played football with Moher Celtic in recent years, made his presence felt on proceedings when grabbing the equaliser 16 minutes in – with another toe-poke doing the needful from ten yards.

With John Keane and Michael Concannon starring in defence and Luke O’Loughlin, who joined the club this season from Avenue’s underage setup, also an influential substitute, the Harps had hteir tails up and completed their recovery after 65 minutes when Damian Ryan drove to the left corner of the net.

Corofin Harps
Fergal Neylon, Brendan Keane, John Keane, Brendan Neylon, Gary Molloy, Michael Concannon, Michael Daly, Damian Ryan, Eamonn Malone, Ian Hassett, Stephen Keane. Subs Dara Shannon, Luke O’Loughlin, Dermot Daly.

Avenue United B
Nathan Murray, Emre, Mick Shiels, David Considine, Dean D’Auria, Niall Slattery, Shane Mangan, Dara Kerins, Darren O’Meara, Josh Lynch.

Man of the Match
John Keane (Corofin Harps) Referee Julian Standford

Rhine Rovers 1 – Manus Celtic 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

NEWCOMERS Rhine Rovers and Manus Celtic battled it out, just as they did in last year’s Second Division before Rhine Rovers took top spot as champions. However, it was the Clarecastle side that usurped the honours this time around after a late recovery snatched all three points.

1-0 up for the majority of the tie following Cathal O’Sullivan’s 25th minute effort, Rhine Rovers appeared to be heading towards victory until Manus hit them with two goals in the last three minutes to steal the win.

It was a bitter pill for Rhine to swallow, particularly as it was one of their former players, Jamie Fahy that inflicted the damage. First the substitute cracked a 20 metre free to the net to equalise and only two minutes later, he was pulled down in the box for Simon McDonagh to convert the penalty.

Their close rivalry is set to continue for the coming season, one feels.

Rhine Rovers
Brendan Quinn, Seanie Healy, Martin McInerney, Cillian Dugan, Paul Johnston, Martin Reidy, Mike Daffy, Mark Hanrahan, Johnny O’Brien, Cathal O’Sullivan, Mark McInerney

Subs
Ray O’Halloran,Vinnie O’Mullane

Manus Celtic
Pakie Healy, Ian Considine, Patrick Galbraith, Mark Walsh,Tola Crowe, Simon McDonagh,Aaron Greene, Stephen Geraghty, John Molloy, Mikie Geraghty, Mikey McDonagh

Subs
Jamie Fahy, Darren McDonagh, John Reidy, Aidan McCarthy

Referee
Dave Brosnan

Banner Ladies 1-14 – West Clare Gaels 1-13 at Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

A FRENZIED finish brought the senior championship to a heightened cresendo as the Banner Ladies hung on to reclaim the ultimate prize in Clare ladies football. Having led by seven points at one stage of the contest, the Banner’s character was severely tested when reduced to 13 players following the sinbinning of Clare Walsh and Niamh Keane that injected new life into defending champions West Clare Gaels’. However, the Ennis based side passed the test with flying colours to defy the numerical disadvantage and deservedly take back the senior crown.

The ultimate difference in the end was Niamh O’Dea who produced a majestic display of strength, pace and accuracy to take the game by the scruff of the neck when needed most. Allied to her impressive haul of 1-7, the county minor captain was tireless in her pursuit of glory and even gave her backline some much needed support and relieve the pressure in a mad-cap last quarter.

It wasn’t the classic of last year’s decider between the same pair and of course, there were major absentees on in both camps but it was still highly entertaining in terms of intensity. In truth however, last year’s encounter was too open for comfort which led to this year’s version being contrastingly over cautious on both sides but perhaps to West Clare Gaels eventual detriment.

Personal markers in all key positions made it a less than enlightening opening half, with Niamh O’Dea being closely watched by Shauna Harvey, Katie Geoghegan being picked up by Louise Woods and Niamh Keane guarded by Deirdre Troy to name but a few. Also Rita Boland was utilised as a sweeper for a large chunk of the game and therefore, it was only when the Banner were reduced to 13 that West Clare Gaels came out of their shell and went for broke.

After an even start, the Banner decisively took the initiative in the 14th minute when O’Dea showed her class to score the opening goal of the game. It stemmed from a Niamh Keane free to Louise Henchy whose ball over the top was expertly caught by county senior team-mate O’Dea despite the attentions of two defenders before cooly slotting the ball to the net.

Despite an immediate Niamh Lardner reply, that major was the catalyst for the Banner to step up a gear with O’Dea, Henchy, Keane and Rebecca Culligan kicking unanswered points to open up a 1-7 to 0-3 advantage by the 23rd minute.

Central to the Gaels’ problems was that in trying to avoid the dominance of Louise Henchy at midfield, the amalgamation repeatedly played their kick-outs to the opposite side, thus unleashing Niamh Keane to return the ball with interest.

The holders did finally regroup before the break however with the experience of Denise Geaney, Brid Troy (2) and semi-final star Niamh Lardner grabbing four unanswered points of their own to reduce the deficit to only three at 1-7 to 0-7.

There were changes aplenty at the break as the Banner introduced two new corner-forwards, Eva O’Dea and Orlaith Lynch, to bolster their attack while the Gaels brought on Ciara Harvey to allow her sister Shauna to push up the field.

The O’Dea sisters opened the scoring with a point apiece to restore the Banner’s five point advantage and it seemed once more that the Banner were about to pull away. However, the West Clare Gaels’ reign as county senior and Munster and All-Ireland intermediate champions meant that they were not about to give up their title without a major fight and with the returning Katie Geoghegan increasingly exerting her influence, they hit back with three points of their own by the 40th minute.

Louise Henchy started and finished a move to stop the rot and extend the lead to three but the Banner were hit with a major blow when Clare Walsh saw yellow and a ten minute sejour on the line for an over-enthusiastic tackle.

Brid Troy converted the free and the crowd could sense that the game was turning in the Gaels direction. Cue the indomitable Niamh O’Dea to wrestle back control, picking up successive kickouts from Emma O’Driscoll to solo up the field and grab two points. The second was simply a joy to watch as she made her way through several tackles in a full length run to inspire her side and she added a third in a row when linking up with Henchy to build up a five point advantage by the 48th minute.

O’Dea’s calming influence appeared to have weathered the storm for her side but nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, Niamh Keane’s dissent saw her join Walsh on the sideline and with positions and tactics flying out the window and the major of play in the Banner half, the Gaels’ storm began to brew for the third time.

A Troy free cut the deifict to four and while Clare Walsh returned to the action, the Gaels got a major boost when Brid Troy picked out the unmarked Maria Kelly to goal in the 57th minute and cut the deficit to only the minimum with three minutes remaining.

The tension could be cut with a knife as every pass was intensely scrutinised and the pressure on both sides intensified. Inevitably it was O’Dea who popped up again to ease the nerves but still their two point lead was a dangerous one. They were also boosted by the sinbinning of West Clare Gaels’ Deirdre Troy which coincided with Niamh Keane’s return for the Banner but there was still a manic final few minutes of injury-time to come.

A throw-in on the Banner’s 20 metre line saw all but West Clare Gaels goalkeeper Megan McGrath decend into the Banner half and in the resulting melee, a last gasp free gave the West Clare Gaels a final opportunity. The Banner packed the goal but they were not to be tested as Katie Geoghegan’s free agonisingly rifled over the crossbar for a point in the 65th minute.

The Banner’s relief turned to unbridled joy as referee Michael Talty blew the final whistle to end this nailbiting decider that saw the Banner rise to the summit once more. The biggest rivalry in Clare ladies football just took another major turn. What will next year bring?

BENEATH the obvious joy of a third senior title in four years, you could sense that between the handshakes and hugs, Banner Ladies manager Joe Reidy had been through the wringer for the previous hour. Having led from the seventh minute to the finish without decisively shaking off a stubborn West Clare Gaels challenge, Reidy was thoroughly relieved to have got over the line and wrestle back control from the west Clare amalgamation.

“You couldn’t put words into it at the moment. It’s an amazing feeling to win with such a young team. We were beaten here last year but at least five of the team that started last year weren’t there today for various reasons of work and family commitments so it makes it all the more amazing.

“I mean we finished up there today with two Under 14’s on the field and it’s a fabulous feeling because I love seeing young players coming through. The likes of Laurie Ryan, the captain of the team, she is only a minor but she played with the county all year as well as doing her Leav- ing Cert. The same goes for Naomi Carroll and Niamh O’Dea, they are all minors and it’s a great feeling to come out on top with young players like that.”

O’Dea’s was the decisive contribution however, picking up an impressive haul of 1-7 along with a tireless work-rate that saw her collect the player-of-the-match award from Clare County Board Chairman Johnny Hayes afterwards.

“The first day I saw Niamh O’Dea play, she was eight years of age playing in Kilfenora in a boys football game and I immediately went to her parents to ask would she play for the Banner. That girl played in an AllIreland Under 14 Féile at only eight years old above in Galway. And not only is she a brilliant footballer but she is a lady as well. You can play her full-back or full-forward and she just goes out and gives it everything, every day.”

With the county title secured, has he even considered a Munster assault?

“We are now in the senior competition, playing the likes of the Cork and Kerry champions who are in the senior ranks for years. Clare were never senior and because of the West Clare Gaels All-Ireland intermediate win last year, Clare have been moved to the senior competition and it’s like going from the League of Ireland to the Premier League in England.

“There is also the camogie to consider. When we played in Munster two years ago, there were five of our team missing as the camogie county final was on the same day so it will all depend on who is available to us.”

After such an inspiring victory, the Banner will certainly steele themselves for the challenge of Tipperary champions Cappawhite in the Munster Senior B Championship Semi-Final on Saturday, October 1. Although Joe Reidy is probably just hoping that it isn’t as nailbiting as Saturday’s county final.

O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-09 – Kildysart 1-08 at Shannon

WHITHER the big ball in the Mills and Kilkishen was the cry after they were pummelled by 14 points by Kilmurry Ibrickane in the opening round of the championship.

That was June; that was then; this is now as they’re now 60 minutes away from an historic first ever county intermediate final place after they edged past a determined and neversay-die Kildysart side on Saturday afternoon.

O’Callaghan’s Mills took control of the tie once Conor Cooney bagged a goal in the 12th minute – lead by four at half-time and by the same margin entering the last 15 minutes but in the end had to thank a last minute free from Bryan Donnellan to sneak through to a semi-final date against Clondegad.

Kildysart made a positive start with points by Damien Hill and Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly inside the first ten minutes, but Conor Cooney’s goal settled the east Claremen and in the final 20 minutes of the half they outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-2 to take control of affairs.

Cooney’s goal was followed by points from Eoin Pewter, Bryan Donnellan (2) and Jonathon Lyons, while points from Damien Hill and Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly left matters resting at 1-5 to 0-4 in the Mills favour at half-time.

That four differential remained after both traded four points between them with Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly and Niall Ginnane on the mark for Kildysart, with John Cooney and Bryan Donnellan finding the range for the Mills.

However, the game was thrown back into the melting pot in the 49th minute when a Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly point was followed immediately by a Damien Hill goal that left the sides deadlocked at 1-7 apiece entering the last ten minutes.

In the end it was Bryan Donnellan who came up trumps – he edged his side back in front with a point from play in the 54th minute, only for Kildysart to bounce back inside 30 seconds with the equaliser from Christy Clancy, but it was Donnellan who landed the decisive score with a 59th minute free to bring his tally for the hour to 0-6.

Inagh/Kilnamona 1-14 – Crusheen 1-13 at Clarecastle

CRUSHEEN exited the 2011 Clare Cup after Inagh/Kilnamona sealed victory at the second time of asking. For most of this encounter, the lead was swapped and another draw appeared to be on the cards. Crusheen thought they had grasped victory when Jamie Fitzgibbon grabbed a terrific score that surely would be the winner.

This apparent certainty for the 2010 senior champions was dismantled when the Inagh/Kilnamona outfit were awarded a free 50 metres out. Niall Arthur dropped a looping shot in around the square with more hope than expectation but the faith was repaid. Eoin Vaughan found the first touch in the goalmouth scrum to get the sliotar onto the path of full-forward Dermot Gannon. Panic and mayhem arrived immediately as a boot or his stick saw Gannon steal victory from Crusheen’s grasp with an incredible finish to this clash.

Niall Arthur found the first score of the battle after two minutes from a 20 metre free. If the deserved penalty had been awarded, Arthur’s effort over the bar may have well waved a green flag but no outcry yet as there was a very long way to go. Damien Lafferty made it two in a row for the Combo with a fine attempt from close range. Crusheen eventually found their range after ten minutes when Paddy Meaney halved the initial lead with his favourite left side.

In truth, Inagh/Kilnamona were the better side for the opening quarter with further points from Arthur and All-Ireland Intermediate Champion Conor Tierney but their positive start was dampened when Crusheen found the first goal of the match. Gerry O’Grady was allowed through the heart of the Inagh/Kilnamona defence far too easily before unleashing an unstoppable shot off his stick low into the left corner of the net to nudge Crusheen into the lead for the first time.

The points continued to flow for both sides with David Forde and Gannon both locating their first of the afternoon to leave it level at the interval on a score of 1-5 to 0-8.

A highly anticipated second half arrived with a quick-fire Crusheen score followed by a more concerning Crusheen scare. Gannon had a fantastic opportunity to hit the net but Donal Tuohy conveyed his class with a brilliant save. Thankfully for Gannon a shot at redemption would eventually arrive.

The second half became a hard fought hurling war zone. Every score took a mammoth effort with both teams doing their utmost to stay out in front in the lead. Neither team could be shaken off though as the game sailed into the melting point that was the final quarter.

Gannon’s heroics cemented the win and ensured the chances of Clare Cup glory continue for Inagh/Kilnamona. Crusheen will be left gutted at the heartbreaking defeat but their summer is far from over yet either.

Inagh/ Kilnamona
Patrick Kelly (7), Milo Keane (7), Brian Glynn (7), Dermot Lynch (7), Ronan O’Looney (7), David Hearty (7), ColmPilkington (7), HaulieVaughan (6), Brian Foudy (6), Cathal Lafferty (7), EoinVaughan (7), Damien Lafferty (7) (0-1), Niall Arthur (8) (0-11, 6f), Dermot Gannon (7) (1-1), ConorTierney (7) (0-1)

Subs
Shane Griffin (6) for H.Vaughan, Ger Arthur (6) for Foudy

Crusheen
Donal Tuohy (7), Jason Greene (6), Cronan Dillon (7),Alan Brigdale (7), Cathal Dillon (7), Cian Dillon (7), Ciaran O’Doherty (7) (0-1.65), Shaun Dillon (6), Jamie Fitzgibbon (7) (01),Gearoid O’Donnell (6), Joe Meaney (7) (0-3f), David Forde (7) (0-3), Paddy Meaney (7) (0-4), Gerry O’Grady (7) (1-0), Connor O’Donnell (6)

Subs
Darragh O’Doherty (6) (0-1f) for J. Meaney

Man of the match
Niall Arthur (Inagh/ Kilnamona) Referee Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)

PATRICK Kelly is rapidly becoming renowned as a man for the big occasion. Still only 23, the Clarecastle native has won two Fitzgibbon Cup medals with different colleges (WIT and NUIG), was part of the 2009 Under 21 squad that captured provincial and national honours and already this year, claimed the Munster Intermediate Player of the Year award for his starring role for the county in the Munster against Limerick in Cusack Park. And on Saturday when leaders were needed most on the ultimate stage, his inspirational interceptions and clearances made him a crowd favourite amongst the loyal Clare support. However, off the field of play, he tends to take these things in his stride.

“I just love going out playing hurling whether it is with Clarecastle, Clare or my college it doesn’t matter and I think when you have a determination and a group of players that are so determined, you can win anything if you put your mind to it.

“That’s what we did at the start of the year, we put our focus on beating Cork, went on to beat Limerick and I think it was great to play Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final because it improved us for today. I think if we had gone straight into a final like Kilkenny today, we might have been a bit off the pace and I’d say if Kilkenny had a couple of games under their belt, it would have been a different story. But I’m not going to be here giving excuses, we have the cup now.”

While his task of guarding Clare’s last line is an onerous one at times, Kelly had total confidence in his team-mates to provide the scores at the other end.

“All year the goals have come at vital times. I know, even in the fullback line, we have let in a couple of soft goals but credit to the forwards, when the goals have gone in at our end, they have retaliated by putting in some great goals themselves. The forwards have been great. Once they get the ball, their shooting was just superb. Against Galway, they went out and scored 1-10 without reply and I’ve never heard of that before in hurling so great credit has to go to them.

So did he think that when Paul O’Flynn thundered in from the wing to give the Cats a 1-1 to 0-0 lead that it was Galway all over again?

“No we didn’t panic. Being down at the Town end in the first half, the sun was very bad and for the first 20 minutes, myself and my man were just putting up our hurleys because you couldn’t see any ball. In particular the puck-outs were a nightmare because you couldn’t see anything. The Kilkenny lad scored the goal well but you can’t panic. It’s only the first five minutes and okay they scored 1-1 but we came right back at them and got a grip in the middle of the field. Shane Golden and Ronan Keane are great workhorses in the centre. If you told them to jump, they would only ask how high.

“But look, we’ll take beating Kilkenny in an All-Ireland final anyday of the week. They love their hurling and it’s hard to come by medals in Clare so it’s great that we have two cups coming home this year.”

The first of many if Kelly’s track record is anything to go by.