Kerry crowned Munster U20 football champions

Kerry 1-15 Cork 0-12

Having lost the last two provincial finals to Kerry, Cork's recent run in the EirGrid Munster Under 20 FC came up short at Austin Stack Park, Tralee last Wednesday evening, when they were forced to give way to a far superior Kingdom outfit. Over the hour the winners showed the greater craft and urgency with the pace and awareness of their forward lines causing countless problems for the Cork backline.

The opening sequences saw Cork, who were narrowly beaten by their great rivals in the group stages, certainly hit the ground running with Darragh O'Brien and Darragh

Sheedy linking up well to set up Ed Myers for a point in the fourth minute. Kerry drew level moments later when good play by Tomas Kennedy resulted in Daniel Kirby kicking over. The home side edged in front in the seventh minute when great work by impressive corner back Gearoid Evans saw Odhran Ferris kick over. All through Luke Crowley, Aidan Crowley and Cormac Dillon in the full forward line caused havoc. Dillon added a point from a free before he turned provider for Aidan Crowley to kick over in the 13th minute. A minute later the lead was increased to four points when Daniel Kirby pointed from long range.

Cork regrouped well from here. Hugh O'Connor was at the end of a good movement to kick over. However, the Kingdom's response was swift with wing back Charlie Keating breaking down the field at speed to kick over. As the half went on, Cork got to grips. In the 19th minute a good solo run by Michael McSweeney produced a point from Darragh Sheedy, while Darragh O'Brien with a free in the 23rd minute, left just three points between the teams at 0-7 to 0-4.

At the other end, Cormac Dillon continued to be unerring from frees and his long range effort moved them double scores in front. From the resultant kickout by Cork's Michael O'Connell, Darragh O'Brien won possession where his delivery found Rory O'Shaughnessy who in turn released Hugh O'Connor, whose effort at goal was cleared off the line by the Kerry corner back Maidhci Lynch. Just before the half-time whistle, Rory O'Shaughnessy and

Cormac Dillon traded points and although Kerry shaded matters all through this half, Cork were still in with a right chance when trailing at the interval 0-9 to 0-5.

For the second half, Cork needed a fast start to have any chance of coming away with victory. Instead it was Kerry that struck for the only goal of the game two minutes into the half when Daniel Kirby and Luke Crowley were heavily involved when Tomas Kennedy netted. Cormac Dillon followed with points from a free and general play with the home side also creating two goal scoring chances in the opening stages when Eddie Healy's effort was intercepted, while Gearoid Evans’ effort went narrowly over the crossbar for a point in the 37th minute, as they moved 1-12 to 0-5 clear.

Cork recovered once again with Hugh O'Connor, Colm Molloy, Darragh Sheedy and second half substitutions Ross Corkery and Gearoid Kearney most effective. Hugh O'Connor had two points on the spin, before Gearoid Kearney kicked a fine point in the 40th minute. Moments later Hugh O'Connor with half a chance at the Kerry goal had his effort deflected out for a '45' that Ross Corkery sent over, that closed the margin to 1-12 to 0-9.

The last quarter was keenly contested with Kerry never looking in any real danger. Ryan Diggan and Darragh Sheedy traded points, with Luke Crowley and Colm Molloy continuing the trend by the 56th minute - 1-14 to 0-11. Cathal Brosnan and Olan Corcoran traded points in injury time, as there was no denying Kerry their fully deserved win. They now progress to meet Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Cork: Michael O'Connell (St Michael's), Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy), Colm Molloy (Nemo Rangers, 0-1), Mark Og O'Sullivan (Bantry Blues), Gearoid Daly (Mallow), David Buckley (Douglas), Sam Copps (Mallow), Rory O'Shaughnessy (St Michael's, 0- 1), Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree), Darragh O'Brien (Glanworth, 0-1f), Hugh O'Connor (capt – Newmarket; 0-3, 0-1f), Jack O'Neill (Castlehaven), Olan Corcoran (St Mary's, 0-1), Ed Myers (Naomh Aban, 0-1), Darragh Sheedy (Bantry Blues, 0-2). Subs: Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers, 0-1 '45”) for Darragh O'Brien, Gearoid Kearney (Kinsale, 0-1) for Michael McSweeney, Luke O'Herlihy (St Michael's) for Darragh Sheedy, Michael Maguire (Castlehaven) for Rory O'Shaughnessy, Shane O'Connell (Kilshannig) for Dan Twomey.

Referee Niall Quinn (Clare).