Cork saw off Kerry for the fifth year in a row in the Munster U21FC last night

Cork 1-12
Kerry 1-9

Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Uí Rinn

REIGNING CHAMPIONS CORK finished well to achieved a fifth consecutive Eirgrid Munster U21FC victory over Kerry at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

The Rebels have never won the provincial title at the grade five times on the trot before, but they can do that in a fortnight against Tipperary and they will take great heart from this display.

While it was a game which wasn’t always long on quality, there was plenty of excitement in the second half as the momentum changed hands. Having trailed by two points at half-time, Kerry surged ahead in the second period thanks to Conor Keane’s free-taking but Cork never fell more than a point behind.

Peter Kelleher bustled through to level at 1-7 each in the 44th minute and then Cathal Vaughan pointed a free after sub Michael Hurley had been fouled. Had Seán O’Donoghue not been denied his second goal by a great Shane Ryan save, the hosts would have been safe but even though Keane levelled again, Kerry would only score once more.

Darragh Ó Sé saw his Kerry team lose tonight. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Seán White got his second to hand Cork the initiative again and then sub Conor Horgan gave them breathing space.

While Keane scored his seventh in response, Cork weren’t going to be denied as captain Brian O’Driscoll and then Horgan again made the game theirs.

O’Donoghue’s goal capped a great start by Cork, who led by 1-2 to no score early on, but Kerry got on top and Keane’s goal helped them to level.

Conor Keane was impressive for Kerry tonight. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Cork led by 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time after a pair of late Vaughan points and they would repeat that trick in the second half to advance to the final.

Scorers for Cork: Cathal Vaughan 0-4 (0-3f), Seán O’Donoghue 1-1 (0-1f), Peter Kelleher, Seán White, Conor Horgan 0-2 each, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1.

Scorers for Kerry: Conor Keane 1-7 (0-6f), Brian Crowley, Jack Savage (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Sean O'Donoghue bagged Cork's only goal tonight. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

CORK

1. Micheál Martin (Nemo Rangers)

2. Micheál McSweeney (Newcestown)
5. Tomás O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
4. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)

3. Jamie Davis (Douglas)
6. Seán White (Clonakilty)
7. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)

20. Dan O’Callaghan (Clyda Rovers)
9. Darragh Murphy (Valley Rovers)

11. Kevin Davis (O’Donovan Rossa)
10. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)
9. Alan O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)

13. Cathal Vaughan (Uibh Laoire)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
15. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

Subs
17. Dylan Quinn (St Finbarr’s) for Crowley (21, injury)
24. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven) for O’Callaghan (38)
22. Conor Horgan (Nemo Rangers) for K Davis (48)
19. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for McSweeney (56)

KERRY

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

2. Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys)
3. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe)
4. Briain Ó Beaglaíoch (An Ghaeltacht)

5. Ronan Murphy (Beaufort)
6. Denis Daly (St Mary’s)
7. Cathal Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht)

8. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
9. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle)

12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
11. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
10. Brian Crowley (Templenoe)

13. Matthew Flaherty (Dingle)
14. Dara Roche (Glenflesk)
15. Conor Keane (Legion)

Subs
18. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for Savage (15, black card)
21. Kevin McCarthy (Kilcummin) for Burns (51)
17. Cathal Murphy (Rathmore) for Daly (both 51)
22. Éanna Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht) for Crowley (56)
24. Liam Carey (Beaufort) for Ó Conchúir (57, black card)

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).

- This article was first published on 18 March at 20.53pm

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