O’Mahony leads Rebels’ rout of Kerry

CORK inflicted a 13-point hammering on Kerry to dethrone the champions at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The Kingdom had no answer to a swashbuckling Cork display, highlighted by three superb goals.

Cork built an early lead on the back of Colm Barrett, Mark Cronin, Damien Gore and the outstanding Cathal O’Mahony’s smart interplay and scoring. The latter hit 1-5. Mark Cronin was also impressive as the Rebels led 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Donal O’Sullivan toiled hard for Kerry but Cork’s backs were as impressive as their forwards. Sub Blake Murphy fired home a clinching 36th-minute goal.

SCORERS – Cork: C O’Mahony 1-5 (2f); M Cronin 0-5; B Murphy 1-1; F Herlihy 1-0; D Gore and C Barrett 0-2 each; C O’Callaghan 0-1. Kerry: D O’Sullivan 0-5 (1f); E Horan 0-3; C Gammell, S O’Leary, P O’Shea and F Clifford 0-1 each.

CORK – J O’Keeffe; M O’Mahony, M Shanley, P Ring; G O’Donovan, S Meehan, P O’Driscoll (c); B Hartnett, D O’Connell; C Barrett, C O’Callaghan, M Hodnett; M Cronin, C O’Mahony, D Gore. Subs: B Murphy for Hodnett (27), J Murphy for O’Connell (35), D O’Connell for Murphy (36, blood), F Herlihy for O’Callaghan (48), J Murphy for Barrett (50), J McCarthy for O’Donovan (59), S Hickey for Meehan (60).

KERRY – B Lonergan; D McCarthy, D Casey, M Potts; C Gammell, P Warren, S O’Leary (c); K O’Connor, B Mahony; S Horan, E Horan, A Donoghue; F Clifford, D O’Sullivan, K Falvey.

Subs: C Ferriter for Falvey (22), N Donohue for McCarthy (34), B Friel for Horan (40), C O’Donoghue for Casey (40), P O’Shea for O’Connor (46), P Walsh for Clifford (53).

REF – A Kissane (Waterford)