Under 17s will find Cork a tough nut to crack in the final

MUNSTER U17 FC SEMI-FINAL

ALTHOUGH there were a number of nervous moments in the second period, Kerry eventually overcame Tipperary in their first outing at Munster U-17 level to reach a decider against Cork next Tuesday night.

Team manager Peter Keane admitted that the team had a great start in scoring two goals in quick succession in the first five minutes but that it led to some bad habits afterwards.

“We were trying to go for more goals afterwards when keeping the scoreboard ticking over would have been the better option. At the same time we have to remember that this was a lot of the players first time playing for Kerry in such a setting and you can only judge what they are like in a competitive match like this.”

Barry Keane and Michael Slattery scored Kerry’s opening goals to give them a 2-0 to 0-0 lead, but they would not score a point in proceedings until the 18th minute through Minor player Donal O’Sullivan as they took a 2-4 to 0-2 lead in with them at half-time.

Tipperary were a bit more threatening in the second period as the hosts needed Gearóid Lyne and Fergal Barry to make big defensive clearances to stop the visitors getting goals, Adam McGrath eventually would for them with 10 minutes left.

Speaking afterwards Keane wasn’t surprised by the nature of the Tipperary performance.

“Ten of that team played with their minors and this was their fourth competitive outing of the year as opposed to our first at this level so that gives you a sense of the difference between the sides.

“It’s great to be in the final, but we know that Cork are going to bring a lot of physique and strength with them. They’ve scored 11-42 in their two games so far which is something other teams wouldn’t score in an entire year,” the Kerry Under 17 manager said.

Keane feels that it’s hard to judge whether home advantage will be of significant benefit to Kerry in next Tuesday night’s final, but while Slattery’s second goal in the 58th minute ensured the Kingdom’s win you feel that they will need to do a lot better against the Rebels based on their scores in their two games thus far.

Centre-Back Eddie Horan along with midfielders Sean O’Connell and Franz Sauerland had good outings in the Under 17’s 11 point win as Muiris Fitzgerald (son of Maurice) and Sean Doherty were some of the substitutes to catch the eye.

With no ‘back door’ Kerry head into the decider with Cork looking to create a bit of history by being the only side to ever win such a competition with its unique staging.