Kerry edge win over Cork in likely dress rehearsal for Munster final

MUNSTER UNDER-20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE 2 ROUND 2

Cork 0-11 Kerry 1-12

THERE might have been the touch of a ‘phoney war’ about this Munster clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with the sides almost certain to meet in the provincial final in a fortnight’s time, but Kerry will, nonetheless, be satisfied to have earned the early bragging rights.

Their eventual four-point victory, galvanised by an improved second quarter, embellished by Cormac Dillon’s goal just before half-time, was certainly deserved on the night. Indeed, there was plenty to be admired about the way they then refused to bend the knee on the resumption.

Cork won’t be overly downhearted at the loss themselves, even though they will be disappointed that they didn’t kick on after taking control of the opening 15 minutes. At the same time, there is much more to come from them, and this result could give them all the motivation they need down the line.

Both sides made a change from the selected sides, with Cork starting Luke O’Herlihy at corner-forward in place of Dara Sheedy, and Kerry replacing one Crowley with another, Luke coming into the attack for Aidan. Indeed, it was the powerful Glenflesk operator who made the earliest of impacts.

Opening the scoring with a left-footed point from 35 metres, Crowley was almost in for a goal three minutes later after Cork got off the mark with a Hugh O’Connor pointed free. Having been put through by Evan Boyle, the Kerry number 20 was bottled up, and had to settle for another white flag.

Despite the bright start from the visitors, the rest of the first quarter was dominated by Ray O’Mahony’s side. With Dan Twomey and David Buckley more involved at the back, Michael McSweeney making his presence felt around the middle, the Cork forwards began to cause problems for the Kingdom.

Captain O’Connor, in particular, full-forward Ed Myers, and the busy Bryan Hayes, were now increasingly prominent, and with the Newmarket number 11 (0-3), Myers and Aaron O’Sullivan all on target, the hosts moved three points clear at the end of the first quarter, 0-6 to 0-3.

There was no doubting but that Tomás Ó Sé’s outfit were in a small bit of bother at that particular juncture but, to give them their dues, they dug in commendably in the second quarter, keeping Cork scoreless throughout that time, and turning the pendulum of the contest right around.

Taking sustenance from the driving runs of wing-back Charlie Keating, the work-rate of midfielder Eddie Healy, and the tenaciousness of Gearoid Evans, three points on the trot – courtesy of Evans, Tomás Kennedy (mark) and Cormac Dillon (free) – had the protagonists level by the 27th minute.

Two minutes later came the game’s crucial score. Cork, on the attack through wing-back Sam Copps, were turned over deep in the Kerry half and, from a swift counter-attack, a defence-splitting assist from Luke Crowley led to the clinical Dillon billowing the net with a right-foot bullet.

The game had now turned full circle for Cork, and they found themselves three points adrift heading into the second half, 1-6 to 0-6. Two quick white flags from star man O’Connor and O’Herlihy (free) had the margin back to the minimum, and the encounter firmly back in the melting pot.

The Rebels were beginning to turn the screw, with self-belief returning to the side. However, steadying the ship impressively, Kerry struck for four points in succession between the 43rd and 50th minutes which, basically, turned out to be the cushion they needed heading down the finishing straight.

Rob Stack came into things at midfield, Darragh O’Connor and Cian Lynch were dependable at the back, Kennedy and Crowley kept breaking lines, and Dillon was accuracy personified. Substitute John Kelliher (with an outside of the boot special), Healy, and a brace from Dillon (including a superb ’45) pushed Kerry five clear, 1-10 to 0-8.

With substitute Sheedy making his presence felt, and the ever-dangerous O’Connor still menacing, Cork were in no mood to throw in the towel. Even though the visitors retained their five-point lead after Evans marauded up-field to blaze over his second point, nothing was done and dusted.

Ross Corkery booted over a sensational long-range free with his very first touch, Sheedy lofted over a beauty from play, and the deficit was down to three, with the chance of a game-saving goal still in the offing. Kerry were struggling, at this point, to seal the deal.

However, strong defensive work towards the end kept Michael Tansley’s goal intact, and the insurance point came in injury-time, with Dillon launching over another superlative ’45. Job done, first blood to the Kingdom. The expected re-match on May 1 should definitely not be missed.

KERRY: Michael Tansley (Austin Stacks); Ryan Diggin (Laune Rangers), Dara O’Callaghan (Kilcummin), Gearoid Evans (Keel) 0-2; Charlie Keating (Dr Crokes), Darragh O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), Cian Lynch (Glenflesk); Rob Stack (Beale), Eddie Healy (Listowel Emmets) 0-1; Evan Boyle (Ballyduff), Odhran Ferris (Ardfert), Daniel Kirby (Austin Stacks); Cormac Dillon (Duagh) 1-5 (0-3fs, 0-2 ‘45’), Tomás Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys) 0-1(m), Luke Crowley (Glenflesk) 0-2. Subs: Paddy Lane (Austin Stacks) for Ferris (26), John Kelliher (Glenflesk) 0-1 for Boyle (37), Maidhcí Lynch (Dr Crokes) for Diggin (42), Fionn Murphy (Rathmore) for Kirby (56), Aidan Crowley (Templenoe) for L Crowley (56).

CORK: Michael O’Connell (St Michaels); Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy), Shane O’Connell (Kilshannig), Mark Óg O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues); Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers), David Buckley (Douglas), Sam Copps (Mallow); Darragh O’Brien (Glanworth), Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree); Bryan Hayes (Nemo Rangers), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket) 0-6 (2f, 12m), Aaron O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue) 0-1; Olan Corcoran (St Marys), Ed Myers (Naomh Abán) 0-1, Luke O’Herlihy (St Michaels) 0-1 (f). Subs: Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues) 0-1 for O’Herlihy (42), Niall Kelly (Newcestown) for Hayes (47), Jack O’Neill (Castlehaven) for McSweeney (53), Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers) 0-1(f) for Myers (56), Rory Kavanagh (St Michaels) for A O’Sullivan (60).

REFEREE: Niall Quinn (Clare)