Clarecastle’s Patrick Kelly was part of the Kerry Senior Hurling team that claimed the Christy Ring Cup in Croke Park earlier on this evening.
After coming up short in two previous occasions, it proved to be a third time lucky for the Kingdom as they defeated Derry 1-20 0-12. Eamon Kelly’s Kerry controlled matters from the off with their opponents hitting just three points from play in the entire contest.
Playing at midfield, Patrick Kelly chipped in with two points. Patrick is a former member of the Clare Senior Hurling panel and has an All-Ireland Senior medal in his back pocket from the glorious campaign of 2013.
Kelly is no stranger to the big day having lined out at full back on the Kevin Kennedy managed Clare Intermediate team that won the All-Ireland title in 2011.
In their semi-final outing, Kerry demolished Kildare by thirty six points minus the services of Kelly who was otherwise occupied steering a Clarecastle comeback which saw them claw their way back from an eight point deficit versus Clonlara to earn a replay after extra-time.
The win now guarantees Kerry a place in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for 2016 and provided he is not recalled to the Clare setup, Patrick Kelly will no doubt be leading their cause.
There was further Clare interest in the day’s activity as Sean Hayes of Cratloe and Kilmaley’s Brian McMahon both lined out with the Sligo hurlers in the Lory Meaghar Final. Fermanagh who finished the game with only twelve men still had enough for the Yeats County as they secured a 3-16 to 1-17 win.
