Kerry 1-14
Cork 3-9
Paul Brennan at Austin Stack Park, Tralee
IT WAS HIGH drama to the very last drop before Cork made it five Munster U21 titles in six years and left Kerry still searching for their first provincial crown since 2008.
Cian Dorgan’s added-time point proved the difference in the end but at times Cork did their level best to lose this match, especially down the last 10-minute stretch as Kerry piled on the pressure in front of 4,683 enthralled spectators in Tralee.
Three goals kept the Rebels in contention as Kerry showed better accuracy from the boot, but both teams were guilty of some woeful shooting.
Cork’s third goal, which midfielder Sean White crashed in off the underside of the crossbar in the 47th minute, was a crucial moment, as Cork had been trailing by a point, 1-11 to 2-7, at that stage, but perhaps the more important contribution was Kieran Histon’s interception of Dara Roche’s goal-bound shot three minutes later.
It was that kind of game. End-to-end stuff, spattered with great scores, littered with mistakes and a healthy dose of drama.
It all looked so good for Kerry in the opening minute after Jack Savage and then Brian O Seanachain raised flags inside 45 seconds, but gradually Cork found their feet, especially around the middle where White and Sean O’Leary took a foothold.
By the sixth minute, Cork were level through Ryan Harkin and Brian Coakley (free), before the latter showed great feet to slip the ball past Eoghan O’Brien for Cork’s first goal.
By the 17th minute, only the goal separated them, 1-4 to 0-4, but after Savage converted a Kerry free, Sean Powter scored a superb goal to help Cork to a 2-4 to 0-7 half-time lead playing against a strong wind.
Points were exchanged early in the second half before a superb Dingle combination; Matthew Flaherty set up Mark O’Connor for a goal, and suddenly Kerry were into their stride.
By the 44th minute, the hosts were a point clear but then White cut through for the Rebels’ third goal and Cork sensed victory.
It wasn’t quite that simple as points from Micheal Burns, Savage (free) and Tony Brosnan made it 1-14 to 3-8, but with extra-time looming Dorgan proved Cork’s hero and Kerry’s damnation as the Rebels’ dominance in Munster continued.
Scorers for Kerry: Jack Savage (0-5, 4f), Dara Roche (0-3), Mark O’Connor (1-0), Killian Spillane (0-2), Brian O Seanachain (0-1), Micheal Burns (0-1), Eanna O Conchuir (0-1), Tony Brosnan (0-1).
Scorers for Cork: Brian Coakley (1-1, 0-1f), Sean White (1-0), Sean Powter (1-0), Michael Hurley (0-2), Ryan Harkin (0-2), Sean O’Donoghue (0-1f), Peter Kelleher (0-1), Cian Dorgan (0-1), Stephen Sherlock (0-1f).
Kerry
1. Eoghan O’Brien (Churchill)
2. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
5. Matthew Flaherty (Dingle)
18. Tom (Leo) O’Sullivan (Dingle)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle)
9. Mark O’Connor (Dingle)
10. Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
11. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
12. Eanna Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht)
13. Dara Roche (Glenflesk)
14. Killian Spillane (Templenoe)
15. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
Subs:
21. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for O Seanachain (HT)
19. David Foran (St Senans) for M O’Connor (42)
24. Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys) for O Beaglaoich (43)
20. Jordan Kiely (Dr Crokes) for E O Conchuir (48)
17. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) for Roche (55)
23. Fionán Clifford (Waterville) for White (56)
Cork
1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)
2. Michael McSweeney (Newcestown)
3. John Mullins (Eire Og)
4. Dylan Quinn (St Finbarrs)
5. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
6. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
7. Kieran Histon (Cobh)
8 Sean White (Clonakilty)
20. Sean O’Leary (Bantry Blues)
23. Sean Powter (Douglas)
11. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
12. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)
13. Brian Coakley (Carrigaline)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
15. Michael Hurley(Castlehaven)
Subs:
21. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarrs) for Powter (HT, inj)
22. Dan O’Duinin (Cill Na Matra) for O’Donoghue (46)
17. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for Flahive (52, black card)
10. Cian Dorgan (Ballincollig) for Coakley (52)
19. Eoin Lavers (Dohenys) for O’Leary (53)
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
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Beating Kerry at their own game. Ha ha hilarious
What’s corks game Connor?
Hard luck boys brian begley was a massive loss when he went off they can leave with their heads held high a valiant effort by the boys
@ AC sour grapes much!!! For sure Cork have problems at the moment but who dosent?? but their are signs in Cork that the development squads are coming good, last years minor hurlers and footballers were extremely unlucky not to progress out of Munster at least, It might take a few years but things are set to improove.Its fair to say that kerry might have problems of their own if ye cared to look a bit closer no All-Ireland senior club title in years, only two Minor titles in years and two senior All-irelands since 07 that they shouldnt and did not deserve to win, and now no Muns U21 title since 2008 and tonights loss casts a doubt about some of these highly rated players in kerry and remember limerick and Tipp ran them close in yer own backyard too so maybe they are not as good as ye would like to think.
Cork may be wining the last number of years titles but the reality is that cork gaa is in a sad state. Mr Frankie bowel has absolutely ruined and destroyed Cork gaa to the point that he is a total and utter sole responsibility for cork GAA. #shameonyoumurphy
Pity Jack cldnt bring on David Clifford …considering he man of the week…ok nxt year fot Jack n lads…
Murphy seems to get the blame for all corks ills, easy to pin the blame on him I suppose, not a problem when he’s getting a player off on some long forgotten technicality though
Name another thing he did other than that?
Who exactly did he “get off” Anthony ??It seems a myth has grown around Frank murphy over the years if you have inside info on the players frank got off up in kilkenny maybe you tell us all.
Alas no inside line, but it’s laughable that all the ills of cork GAA are placed at frank murphys feet
I’ve heard the same!!!!!! It must be true so thanks for that
@Anthony Of course its true!!! be sure to tell everyone just because you heard it good lad.
@Anthony So your just repeating “something you heard” well “Ive heard Brian cody does not allow Richie Hogan have sugar in his tea!! how does that sound??