Clare took on Kerry in the Munster Football semi-final hoping to upset the reigning champions, and they sure gave it a good go as they went in at the break level before points by Eoin Cleary and Cathal O'Connor put James O'Donoghue and co behind by two with 27 minutes left.
Clare hadn't managed to beat Kerry in 25 years and despite a great effort, they will have to wait a little longer as The Kingdom came back to win by six points despite losing Donnacha Walsh to a red card in the 33rd minute.
The score finished 1-18 to 1-12 in favour of The Kingdom and one man, in particular, is going to stand out more than anyone on the scoresheet.
James O'Donoghue made his return to the team today having being left out of the last three games due to a calf injury, and was the star of the show, kicking half of Kerry's points.
He's back..!! James O'Donoghue was superb for #Kerry in Ennis...
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) June 11, 2017
Definitely not getting carried away with James O'Donoghue's performance today...
— Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) June 11, 2017
Kerry finding their groove. They lead by three. O'Donoghue has kicked to brilliant points.
— Donnchadh Boyle (@depboyle) June 11, 2017
James O'Donoghue is on fire
— Seán O'Sullivan 🇮🇪 (@sean_osull00) June 11, 2017
The 2014 Player Of The Year made only one Championship appearance last season - which also happened to be against Clare - and after this performance, he will surely stand more of a chance being included in Fitzmaurice's plans.
The result puts Kerry through to the Munster Final where they will play Cork in a brand spanking Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork have been largely criticised after almost losing to Waterford before scraping by Tipperary last night.
Earlier in the week, Colm Cooper questioned whether it would have been less embarrassing for them to lose to Tipperary than it would be to scrape by and get destroyed by Kerry in the final.
