The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry fans light Killarney up for Munster massacre
MEMBERS OF THE GREEN AND GOLD ARMY MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR LACKLUSTRE CLIMAX OF WHAT WAS A ONE-SIDED MUNSTER FINAL IN FITZGERALD STADIUM
FIONN Fitzgerald won’t be at the top of many Christmas card lists in Cork this year, that’s for sure.
It was Fionn’s injury - through no fault of his own of course – midway through the second half that condemned Cork fans to an additional 10 minutes of injury time turmoil. A bit like having a tooth pulled only for the dentist to say ‘just one more to go’.
As a contest, the analysis of this game could quite easily fit in the palm of a newborn baby’s hand, such was the gulf in class. After 40 minutes Kerry were thinking of Croker, while Cork were thinking of home; the dynamic duo of Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue making sure the long grass was well and truly cut and with it any chance of a rebel ambush in the Kingdom.
But while the game didn’t live up to its billing, the same can’t be said for Killarney town where from early morning the traditional colour chart of red, white, green and gold maintained its customary splash of nostalgia all about town.
The fans from both sides of the divide were up for the clash and no matter how much Kerry pummel Cork (or vice versa, as has been known to happen on occasion), tradition demands that the show must go on.
The final moments of Sunday’s game sadly faded out more like a Test match in Lords than a clash between Munster’s oldest and fiercest rivals.
But as Van Morrison once said, sometimes there’ll be days like this.
Thankfully, Killarney’s mountains didn’t leave the occasion down and the sloping greenery seemed to sweep down on the old stadium like an apology as the afternoon wore on.
That evening the N22 reported large congestions of traffic as returning Cork fans sought sanctuary in the dividing line between the Cork and Kerry mountains.
Like warring Spartans, Cork will be back. But for now the Kingdom is safe.