Back to news
Clifford hits two quickfire goals as Kerry power past Clare to land Munster title
@Source: the42.ie
Advertisement
League of Ireland
Horse Racing
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
Rugby Weekly Extra
Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week
The Football Family
Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points
Advertisement
More Stories
Kerry's David Clifford celebrates scoring a goal.Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
Freerelentless
Clifford hits two quickfire goals as Kerry power past Clare to land Munster title
Kingdom dominated from start to finish to beat the Banner for the third year in a row.
3.31pm, 4 May 2025
Share options
Stephen Barry
reports from Fitzgerald Stadium
DAVID CLIFFORD NETTED twice inside seven minutes as Kerry cantered to a fifth Munster title in a row with their third consecutive final victory over Clare.
1⃣5⃣ Championship goals now for David Clifford as he nets early for @Kerry_Official against @GaaClare in the @MunsterGAA Football Final 🏆 #KERvCLA pic.twitter.com/glFSZzaxKS— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 4, 2025
Further goals from Micheál Burns and Barry Dan O’Sullivan before the half-time whistle extended the interval lead to 15, before a flat second half played out in front of a 13,181 crowd at Fitzgerald Stadium.
It’s Kerry’s seventh time stringing together five or more provincial titles in succession as they accounted for their 86th overall.
Kerry now enter Group 2 of the All-Ireland SFC, which begins at home to Roscommon in a fortnight before a trip to Cork and a game against the Leinster runners-up at a neutral venue.
A view of the parade.Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
Clare head for Group 3, starting at home to Down, then away to Monaghan, and finally facing the Leinster champions at a neutral venue.
Jack O’Connor made six changes due to an injury list that included Shane Ryan, Paul Murphy, Graham O’Sullivan, and Diarmuid O’Connor, on top of Paudie Clifford’s suspension.
On the plus side, they welcomed back Seán O’Shea, Tom O’Sullivan, and Mike Breen. The Dr Crokes trio of Shane Murphy, Tony Brosnan, and Burns were also drafted in to start.
O’Connor’s Kingdom predecessor Peter Keane had Ikem Ugwueru back to fitness but Ciarán Downes missed out.
Advertisement
Kerry’s two-point shooting had been questioned. O’Shea provided an answer within 30 seconds by splitting the posts from outside the arc.
In the fourth minute, they bagged a first goal. Barry Dan O’Sullivan claimed the kick-out and Brosnan dispatched a gorgeous floated crossfield pass for David Clifford to mark. The dangerman played on, rounding Cillian Brennan and rolling a delayed finish to the corner.
They sliced Clare open again within three minutes. Tom O’Sullivan sent in the direct ball to Paul Geaney, who played on with advantage. Barry Dan O’Sullivan teed up Burns, who was denied by Eamon Tubridy’s save, but Clifford volleyed home the rebound for 2-2 to 0-1.
Wasteful Clare had nine first-half misses, including a speculative Eoin Cleary shot on goal saved by Murphy. They briefly stemmed the bleeding with Aaron Griffin and Keelan Sexton points.
But when Emmet McMahon was black-carded for an apparent trip on Paul Geaney, the lead swelled from seven to 14 over the subsequent 10 minutes.
O’Shea knocked over the two-point free before Dylan Geaney’s sharp turn and visionary handpass fed Burns to finish in the 23rd minute.
Within seconds, Clifford cracked the crossbar with his hat-trick attempt and Gavin White’s follow-up was blocked by Brennan.
Kerry's David Clifford and Cillian Brennan of Clare.Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
Clare had only themselves to blame for the fourth goal as Paul Geaney picked off Cillian Rouine’s handpass. The full-forward exchanged a one-two with Clifford before unselfishly squaring for Barry Dan O’Sullivan to dive in with the final touch.
Noel Mooney served up a penalty for Clare, when calling White for a foul on Sexton, but the Na Fianna forward blazed wildly over the crossbar. The half-time gap stood at 15, 4-10 to 0-7.
McMahon punished back-to-back infringements of the new rules with two-point frees before Clifford responded in kind with Kerry’s third orange flag.
Clare created a couple of goal chances but Murphy saved from Sexton and Manus Doherty fired over.
As the game drifted to its conclusion, Kerry handed championship debuts to Mark O’Shea, Keith Evans, and Evan Looney off the bench.
They almost added a fifth goal beyond the hooter but Doherty blocked on the line from Tadhg Morley.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 2-5 (1 2pt, 0-1 free), Seán O’Shea 0-8 (1 2pt, 1 2pt free, 0-3 frees), Barry Dan O’Sullivan 1-1, Micheál Burns 1-0, Paul Geaney 0-4 (1 free), Dylan Geaney 0-2.
Scorers for Clare: Emmet McMahon 0-8 (2 2pt frees, 2 frees), Mark McInerney 0-6 (2 frees, 1 45), Brian McNamara 0-2, Keelan Sexton 0-2 (1 penalty), Manus Doherty 0-1, Daniel Walsh 0-1, Aaron Griffin 0-1.
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), 2. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes, captain)
8. Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks), 9. Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle)
10. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), 11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), 12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. David Clifford (Fossa), 14. Paul Geaney (Dingle), 15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
17. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe) for Foley (27-32, temporary)
20. Ruairí Murphy (Listry) for Brosnan (52)
19. Killian Spillane (Templenoe) for O’Shea (52)
17. Morley for Breen (54)
21. Mark O’Shea (Dr Crokes) for BD O’Sullivan (56)
26. Keith Evans (Keel) for Burns (59)
25. Evan Looney (Dr Crokes) for Ó Beaglaoich (64-f-t, temporary)
1. Eamon Tubridy (Doonbeg)
Related Reads
201 not out: How Aidan O'Shea has kept the Mayo faith over 17 seasons
The Galway rising defensive star, the Mayo attacking leader - Connacht final key duel
The key talking points after All-Ireland senior football group stage draw
2. Manus Doherty (Éire Óg Ennis), 4. Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg Ennis), 3. Cillian Brennan (Clondegad, captain)
7. Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s), 5. Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), 6. Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg Ennis)
8. Brian McNamara (Cooraclare), 11. Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
12. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), 10. Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey), 9. Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry-Ibrickane)
13. Keelan Sexton (Na Fianna), 14. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay), 15. Mark McInerney (Éire Óg Ennis)
18. Conor Meaney (Lissycasey) for Sweeney (54)
19. Shane Griffin (Lissycasey) for Walsh (54)
23. Evan Cahill (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for Sexton (59)
22. Rory McMahon (Kildysart) for Rouine (63)
21. Darragh Burns for Cleary (68)
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
* Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Stephen Barry
View 19 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Clifford hits two quickfire goals as Kerry power past Clare to land Munster title”.
Recipient's Email
Feedback on “Clifford hits two quickfire goals as Kerry power past Clare to land Munster title”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment...
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Munster SFC
Munster SFC final
News in 60 seconds
FreeFallout
Rangers condemn ‘unacceptable’ shotgun tifo display before Celtic match
Bielle-Biarrey brilliance helps Bordeaux beat Toulouse in Champions Cup semi-final
Freesuper saint
Pollock: 'It was mad, a crazy game to play in. We put on a show'
20 mins ago
Isak rescues late point for Newcastle while West Ham stay 17th with Spurs draw
47 mins ago
FreePremier League
Brentford put four past Man United as they ring changes before Europa League semi-final
Freetitle race
Mbappe maintains Real Madrid Liga dream in Celta thriller
Freefrench derby
Lyon see off Racing to set up Challenge Cup final against Bath
As it happened
Waterford v Limerick, Munster senior hurling championship
As it happened
Leinster v Northampton Saints, Champions Cup semi-finals
'I don’t understand the decision' - Leinster come agonisingly close
Leinster's dream dead as Saints storm into Champions Cup final
Murray Kinsella
Reports from the Aviva Stadium
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online
Sign in or create
a free account
To continue reading create a free account
Or sign into an existing account
Related News
08 Apr, 2025
Welsh rugby team given guard of honour a . . .
09 May, 2025
Listen to The Country online: Winston Pe . . .
15 Apr, 2025
Meet the Women Booking the Biggest Conce . . .
24 Apr, 2025
Indian broadcast crew for PSL in dilemma . . .
27 Apr, 2025
IPL 2025: RCB coach brushes off concerns . . .
01 May, 2025
Gary Neville admits he 'SNAPPED' at Live . . .
28 May, 2025
DraftKings Promo Code: Upgraded $300 Bon . . .
24 Apr, 2025
Freddie Flintoff says 'It would have bee . . .