Close win for Kerry minor footballers

Kerry 0-12 Cork 1-7

A physically stronger Kerry side proved too good for Cork in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC quarter-final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Tuesday evening of last week. Over the hour Kerry had many wides.

The Kingdom had their opening score from Gearoid White after just 50 seconds. Joey McCarthy followed with a 4th minute point. Cork had to wait till the 9th minute to register, when Sean Whelton pointed a free. Nine minutes later Ruairi O'Connell with a point for the home side made it 0-3 to 0-1. Cork forced a penalty in the 20th minute that Danny Miskella converted.

Kerry finished out the half strong. Points from Ronan Carroll, Joey McCarthy and Ben Murphy had them ahead 0-6 to 1-1 by the 25th minute. Gearoid White had his second point following a 3-man attack. Sean Whelton pointed a Cork free, as Kerry led at the break 0-7 to 1-2.

On the resumption, Ruadhan O'Donovan moved the Kingdom 3 clear with a very good point. It took Cork until the 43rd minute to score in the half, when Sean Whelton had his 3rd pointed free. Dylan O'Neill gave them hope when he pointed a minute later - now 0-8 to 1-4.

Kerry pushed on doing well in the final 10 minutes. Michael Horan and Cian MacGearailt had rapid points and in the 55th minute, Dylan O'Neill pointed a Cork free. Cathal McCarthy reduced the lead to a point.

Points were exchanged between Jack Joy and Dylan O'Neill, with the Kingdom still ahead entering injury time. Cian MacGearailt kicked a very good point that helped Kerry hold out for a close but deserved win.

Over the hour Kerry were very strong in midfield. They now meet Tipperary, with Cork playing Clare. It is likely they will meet in the Munster final on May 13.

Cork: Den Joe O'Riordan (Kilshannig), Oisin Harrington (Kilmeen), Aaron Keane (Kinsale),

Joe Mouret (Douglas), Cathal McCarthy (St Colm's, 0-1), Cian O'Connor (Ballincollig), Cian Aherne (do), Harry Cogan (Glanmire), Ben O'Shea (Mallow), Danny Miskella (Ballincollig, 1-0 pen.), Danny O'Donovan (Castlehaven), Sean Whelton (St James, 0-3; 0-1f), Humphrey Canty (Newcestown), Finn O'Dwyer (Cullen), Dylan O'Neill (Carbery Rangers, 0-3; 0-2f). Subs: Euan Lehane (Doheny's) for Danny O'Donovan, Daniel Mellerick (Nemo Rangers) for Sean Whelton, Peter McGrath (Douglas) for Finn O'Dwyer.

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).