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Evening all from Killarney, Fintan O’Toole here as we being our countdown to the 7pm throw-in at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Kerry already togged out and on the pitch warming up while Cork are walking around at the opposite end in tracksuits.
Here’s how the Kingdom will start, four changes to their team from the drawn match as Aidan O’Mahony, Paul Murphy, Anthony Maher and Paul Geaney all come in for Fionn Fitzgerald, Peter Crowley, Stephen O’Brien and Barry John Keane.
Kerry
1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)
2. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht)
3. Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore)
4. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
5. Jonathan Lyne (Killarney Legion)
6. Killian Young (Renard)
7. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
9. Anthony Maher (Duagh)
10. Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes)
11. Bryan Sheehan (St Mary’s)
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)
13. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
14. Kieran Donaghy (C) (Austin Stacks)
15. James O’Donoghue (Legion)
Same again for Cork, Brian Cuthbert keeping faith with the team that drew the last day.
Cork
1. Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)
2. Michael Shields (St. Finbarr’s) (Capt)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. James Loughrey (Mallow)
5. Barry O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers)
6. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
7. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
8. Alan O’Connor (St. Colum’s)
9. Fintan Goold (Macroom)
10. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
11. Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
12. Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
13. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
14. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
15. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
Here’s the Kerry subs:
16. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion)
17. Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes)
18. Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
19. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
20. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
21. Fionn Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes)
22. Michael Geaney (Dingle)
23. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
24. Tommy Walsh (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
25. Jack Sherwood (Firies)
26. Paul Galvin (Finuge)
Here’s the Cork subs:
16. Paddy O’Shea (St. Vincent’s)
17. Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
18. Noel Galvin (Ballincollig)
19. Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)
20. Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)
21. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues)
22. Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)
23. John Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
24. Colm O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
25. Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg)
26. Donal Óg Hodnett (O’Donovan Rossa)
Maurice Deegan of Laois is the referee today.
Two late changes for Cork from the line-up listed below. Jamie O’Sullivan and Patrick Kelly in for Eoin Cadogan and Fintan Goold.
Right, we’re nearly set. The teams have just embarked on the traditional pre-game parade and it’s time for the national anthem.
We’re underway and it’s a frenetic start at Fitzgerald Stadium. Strap yourselves in.
Kerry 0-0 Cork 0-1
First blood to the Rebels as Mark Collins is fouled and Colm O’Neill opens his account for the evening.
Kerry 0-1 Cork 0-1
Kerry hit back instantly as Donnchadh Walsh fires it over the bar.
We’ve got a shemozzle here as nearly every player on the pitch gets involved after a Kerryplayer goes down clutching his face. The officials have restored order.
Kerry 0-2 Cork 0-1
After all that, Bryan Sheehan makes no mistake from the free and Kerry have the lead for the first time this evening.
Kerry 0-2 Cork 0-2
Donncha O’Connor levels the score again with a free. Shortly after, Brian O’Driscoll’s radar is just off and that’s Cork’s first wide of the game.
Kerry 0-3 Cork 0-2
As you would expect, it’s been a full-blooded start to this game and Kerry have their noses in-front again. Paul Geaney with the score.
Barry O’Driscoll guilty of spurning possession there and Geaney took full advantage. We’re likely to see a lot more handling errors this evening, although the wind appears to have died down since throw-in.
Kerry 0-5 Cork 0-2
The Kingdom have been clinical so far as Geaney scores his second and Sheehan then converts another free. The advantage is three.
Kerry 0-5 Cork 0-4
An encouraging passage of play for Cork as they strike twice in quick succession. This game is ebbing and flowing as O’Neill and then O’Driscoll with the points. The latter’s effort was particularly sweet as he dissected the posts from range.
Worth noting that there are no floodlights in Killarney so we may be in a spot of bother should this one end in a draw. Remember the replay goes to extra-time. A long way to go yet.
Cork have just settled down and they look in the mood, although a couple of handling errors have stopped them in their tracks on more than one occasion.
End to end now, although the conditions are making it difficult for either side to take a stranglehold of proceedings. Possession is changing hands at regular intervals.
Kerry 0-7 Cork -0-4
Bryan Sheehan nails another monstrous free – from all over 55m out – to get Kerry moving back in the right direction and he adds another not long after. Considering the conditions, the quality of football has been second to none and this replay is already living up to the build-up.
That said, there’s been only one score from play so far. Eamonn Fitzmaurice springs a change with Johnny Buckley replaced by Michael Geaney.
Couple of minutes until the break and this half has flown by. More and more mistakes being made.
GOAL! Kerry 0-7 Cork 1-4
Cork hit back and it come out of nowhere as the Rebels pierce through Kerry’s compact defence. Paul Kerrigan latches onto O’Neill’s pace and he fires into the back of the net.
It’s all happening now with Brendan Kealy making a brilliant save to tip Cronin’s effort onto the post and then there’s more argy-bargy. Order is restored and we’re into stoppage time.
Emphatic finish.
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HALF-TIME: Kerry 0-8 Cork 1-4
And that’s half-time in Killarney and there’s very little to choice between these great Munster rivals again.
Just about got our breath back here. We’re set for a fascinating, rip-roaring second-half in Killarney. Which way do you see this one going?
Almost straight from the kick-off, Geaney wastes an opportunity as his effort from the right squirts wide.
The stakes are high and tensions are running even higher.
James O’Donoghue is the latest to shoot wide but, to be fair, it was from a very tight angle.
Kerry 0-8 Cork 1-5
Colm O’Neill shows them how it’s done with another exemplary score to tie the scores once again.
The ball is pinging around now and it must be like a bar of soap at this stage. The rain has showed no sign of abating but both sides have adapted well to the awful conditions.
More wastefulness from the Rebels as they register another couple of wides and we’re still level pegging.
Absolutely nothing in this. Brian Hurley the latest to miss the target and Cork’s wides tally is now five.
Kerry 0-9 Cork 1-5
Jonathan Lyne breaks the sequence of wides as he combines with O’Donoghue to pop one over from 35 metres out. And here comes the Gooch as he prepares himself on the sideline.
Kerry 0-9 Cork 1-6
They’re just exchanging blow-for-blow now as Kevin O’Driscoll brings us level for the fifth time tonight. Is there any separating these two?
GOAL! Kerry 1-9 Cork 1-6
Immediate impact from Colm Cooper as a free is taken quickly and it eventually falls for Geaney and he composes himself before firing home from close range.
Kevin O’Driscoll replaced by Conor Dorman with 15 minutes remaining. Bit of a goalmouth scramble in the Kerry box but they eventually clear the danger.
Ger Canning on RTÉ has just said it’s beginning to get extremely dark in Killarney and with no floodlights at Fitzgerald Stadium, let’s hope this one doesn’t go to extra-time.
Kerry holding onto a three point lead with Cork’s last point coming more than 10 minutes ago now.
Kerry 1-10 Cork 1-6
Paul Geaney stretches the lead to four and there’s daylight between the sides now. 11 minutes and counting.
James Loughrey received a yellow for conceding that free while Cork send on Daniel Goulding for Paddy Kelly.
Cork’s last score came 16 minutes ago and in these conditions, a four point deficit almost looks irretrievable at this stage.
Kerry 1-11 Cork 1-6
James O’Donoghue demonstrates all his ability with a sweet score off the left peg to put Kerry further ahead.
That may just have been the insurance score and Paul Galvin looks to be preparing himself for a late introduction.
Cork look resigned to their fate now. Three minutes to go and it remains a five point game.
Red card! Stephen O’Brien picks up his second yellow and Kerry will finish with 14.
Kerry still throwing their bodies on the line to deny Cork as we enter the second minute of added time.
FULL-TIME: Kerry 1-11 Cork 1-6
That’s it! After 140 minutes of absorbing football, these two have finally been separated and it’s Kerry who lift the Munster SFC title for the second successive year. Provincial crown number 77 for the Kingdom.
The decisive score of the game as Geaney fires home:
Vindication for Ronaldo???! All this game was prove what I always thought; a great goal scorer but sadly also a great cheat? Did he break ribs tonight, his actions would portray he did! Did Macherano actually touch him with his awful tackle in final 10mins? No, but he still fell and rolled around holding his leg! If only he cut out this play acting then, and only then, can you say he’s vindicated! A terrible example of a former world player of the year!
Messi does that aswell
Jimmy club foot in the conference does it…. they all bloody do it.
I truly admire Barcelona as a club. Nevertheless, I must confess I’m sick with the Barcelonitis overdose imposed on us by every commentator. Week after week, time and time again, we’re all forced to watch the Messi & Guardiola orgasms reached live on RTE by the likes of Dunphy and Gilles. As a football fan I long for competitive competitions, and I’m glad we found a serious contender like Madrid is proving to be.
The other aspect I would like to stress is the total lack of respect for Ronaldo, Mourinho and so forth. I’m not even a huge Ronaldo fan myself, but I can watch football without a good pair of Blaugrana spectacles. I don’t even care if Messi is better than Ron or vice versa, but I know one thing: Ronaldo is not pampered, loved, and buttered by everyone. He’s a goal scoring machine and he’s able to do so in the most adverse environments. Only someone that mentally strong could keep scoring under severe criticism, booed everywhere and by everyone ( Madrid’s supporters included).
With regard to Jose, I honestly believe that comparing him to Guardiola is intellectually deshonest. Here there’s no room for taller and stronger, better headers or free-kicks. Guardiola has only managed Barcelona B and Barcelona. He inherited a team that had recently won a champions league. He only managed one club and only in Spain. Jose Mourinho has won 7 titles in 3 different countries ( Spain to follow) 2 CL with FC Porto and Internazionale + a Uefa cup. And let’s not forget that daylight robberies that deprived him from 2 more finals (Chelsea v Liverpool – Barcelona Real Madrid ). He is the most successful coach in the history of football, whether you like it or not.
I believe that would be Sir Alex!
Chelsea v Liverpool = daylight robbery? Would you stop. Ghost goal or whatever you may call it, it’s not like Chelsea where 5-0 up and someone shot their players. It was a super tight game and Garcia played the ball over the line (at least nearly over!). It was most definitely not daylight robbery.
Henry against Ireland was daylight robbery, not Chelsea’s miserable excuse for loosing to Liverpool.
I’d prefer to see the pundits having orgasms over Xavi and Messi than Nani and Rooney any day. I don’t know how people could get sick of watching this team when they’re at their best. Its not even football, its closer to a work of art if anything.
And there’s no way Mourinho is the most successful coach in the history of football. Paisley, Fergie, Capello, Sacchi, too name but a few. He’s well on his way but still has a bit to go.
After 4 years winning almost everything it seems that when you lose one match is the end of the world but I trust in these guys.
Barcelona supporters being younger than 9 y.o. are not used to this and their parents have the difficult task to explain them that Barça cannot always win.
To be fair, though, Diari, the point is that Barca were considered to be the best of all time precisely because they never lost big games. If they are starting to, that is a sign of a slip. But that doesn’t mean it is a fatal slip. They could well actually enhance their legacy this year by retaining the Champions League.
Yes,but Miguel..that is the second game in which Ronaldo has performed versus Barca..he has been missing during the bigger games against them for 2 seasons,2 champs league games last season,2 super cup games in August,la liga game in december..Messi has dominated the outcome of 80% of El Clasico games practically.The barometer will really be 19th May..unless Ronaldo is on the winning side that day,he will still be no.2 player in the world for some time to come..and he is 9 goals behind Messi who is on 63 for the season.
Indeed, a very good finish..such are the margins of football..a wonderful Messi assist for Xavi’s chance that should have been converted and it’s a whole different story.Madrid were tactically astute,but Barca have been conceding a lot more this season generally at home as well as Away.It is difficult to keep up such form and they certainly have lapsed and Madrid are definitely the form team.However,19th May will decide it all..if Ronaldo goes missing on that night..April 21st wont count for much.
Jose is a great manager but not anywhere near the greatest, that honour surely belongs to sir Alex, after Porto Jose only managed teams that were almost complete and with buckets of cash to spend. Win domestically and in Europe with Aberdeen and then take a team that didn’t win a league in nearly 30 years to winning league titles for fun for over 20 years and 2 cl titles, then Pedro you have the greatest ever.
As far as I can remember, he won in Europe with FC Porto 17 years after their last European title and won the premier league with Chelsea after what? 50 years? Totally ruled the premier league and completely over shadowed Sir Alex. He also managed to win a CL with Internazionale after almost 60 years.
I acknowledge the fact that Sir Alex’s career is somewhat unique but we’re talking about someone that has been managing the same club for the past 25 years, whereas Mourinho was able to adapt to different kinds of football, mentalities, players and media coverage.
And please don’t throw the buckets of money excuse. That was at Chelsea and not with Internazionale and surely not at Porto or Madrid. And even Chelsea was not a complete team, details as follows: Carvalho, Malouda, Kalou, Essien, Obi Mikel, Ferreira, Robben, Drogba, Cole, etc all played decisive roles in Chelsea’s success and they’re all Mourinho’s transfers. If money was the solution, City would be THE top team in Europe, would it not?
Having said all of that, it all comes down to personal preferences. I’d rather have Mourinho as manager, but I would easily understand anyone that would rather go for Sir Alex, Wenger or Guardiola, although I reiterate everything I wrote about Mourinho’s versatility and capacity to win internal and international competitions with different clubs in several countries. And those are the facts.
Viva Ronaldo!!! (just born at the same time as Messi!)
Barca saved their players 4 Chelsea n ronaldo did what he does runs into space but cannot get throu packed defences n Madrid will be knocked out by Munich on wednesday nyt while Barca will beat chelski
Really? I don’t agree with you on Ronaldo there, he has always, in particular whilst in England, been criticised as being a flat track bully. Weaker teams tend to drop off United and now Real into packed defences. Against stronger sides in big games he has been hammered for going missing, they tend to push up onto you to try and try and win the gamr due to their increased confidence and ability.
Maybe so, but the rot is setting in , teams like this start to believe their own
press Unbeatable ! Unstoppable ! Greatest team ever! They are only human after all and it was only a matter of time before they as individuals take their eye off the ball and believe that Messi will always score or someone else will score to win the game . They start to rely on an individual to win it rather then the team itself and it’s not surprising with the amount of trophies they have won in the last 3-4 yrs.
Barca had a few out missing tonight through injury or resting for midweek. Their defence tonight said everything. Macherano and busquets apart of a 3 man defence. Their shape was all over the place. saying that the team did look tired overall. Barca will be back next year. They just need at least 3 decent defenders for cover and they will be back firing.
Delighted Barca got beaten by Real even Messi was starting to lose his temper towards the end. I wonder will Jose stick with them next season or move on?
He is waiting for united job. Martin O’Neill number 2 … Dream team ;-)
Oh god know, I hope my theory than Fergie is bionic and will carry on for ever is true just to keep that man away from my club!!
No even!! Early in the morning wrong word shocker for me there!!
Pep is the next United manager, I dont think it will the Jose.
As much as I love united I can’t see why he would leave this Barca team for us, I think it’ll be Moyes
Pep will leave Barca.
My comment was tongue in cheek, pep will leave barca tho, he knows team is coming to its end.
Messi didnt lose his temper..arbeloa had a kick at him and i suppose he reacted like anyone else would..but i didnt see him get a yellow card did you?or dive around the place like ronaldo does?or arrogantly celebrate goals like ronaldo does?..perhaps thats why people actually admire Messi above Ronaldo..he tends to score more goals,win more and also act humble unlike Ronaldo.
I think people are jumping the gun with Barca being on the way down. Unfortunately, it is down to fatigue. Four years at the top as well as the core of their team also being the core of the Spanish team too, they basically haven’t had a rest in 4-5 years. Add to that the fact that they don’t have the strongest squad of players to compliment the top 13 or 14 at the club. They could easily go out and make 3 top class signings in the summer and next September they’d be getting lauded as the greatest of all time again. Its going to be interesting to see how they finish the season and what happens with Pep.
A Real Madrid fan wrote the above
Hala Madrid!
you have to admire the way Barcelona play the game, a pure joy to watch whether you support them or not! an example for every other club anywhere!
Fond of cheating, diving, theatrics and complaining. Yes, they play the game SO well.
And Ashley young doesnt dive?
United fans need to get over Wembly last year.
Yes, I think its a fact that Ashley young dives. Nobody is complaining about Wembley last year, or Rome two years before that – least of all me. Barca play a superb passing game & ruin it fannying about on the deck.
He runs down the left he runs down the riiiiiight, that boy Ronaldo makes England look shite!! He’s a bit like Darth Vadar Ronaldo these days, he may be on the dark side but he isn’t half brilliant!!
Cheating is endemic in football..anyone last night watching would have seen Di Maria dive to win two frees.Barcelona do it also,Alexis being their most consistent diver.Madrid have had a good season,but Barcelona have won the title 3 years running,so the Champions League would tend to be the more important competition for them..it is hardly a rot..perhaps a blip..but if they retain the Champions League..most people wont be talking about not having won La Liga..Real Madrid got their tactics spot on..but hard to see Barca losing another game this season.Fabregas and Alexis werent started which suggests that Pep is looking towards Tuesday as the crucial game in their season..Ronaldo is having a magnificient season..54 goals is it?..but still has some way to eclipse Messi..who is on…63 for the season..Messi couldnt be faulted last night..he was instrumental in the equaliser and set up Xavi who missed a sitter..