Cork 3-16
Kerry 0-12
Ger McCarthy reports from Páirc Uí Rinn
CATHAL O’MAHONY SCORED 1-5 as Cork overwhelmed Kerry in the EirGrid Munster U20 football championship final at Páirc Uí Rinn this evening.
The defending champions were blown away by a powerful Cork performance highlighted by Cathal O’Mahony, Damien Gore, Mark Cronin and Blake Murphy’s scoring ability.
Leading 0-11 to 0-7 early in the second half, Cork opened up Kerry’s defence and Blake Murphy raced through to arrow a sizzling effort into the top corner. Kerry struggled to mount a comeback with Eddie Horan and Donal O’Sullivan keeping Jack O’Connor’s side in touch.
Yet, Cork never looked in danger of losing their lead, playing with a confidence more associated with their opponents in recent years. A pair of Donal O’Sullivan frees brought Kerry to within five points of their opponents, before two late goals confirmed the new Munster champions’ victory.
First, substitute Fionn Herlihy got on the end of a flowing move and gave Brian Lonergan no chance with a rasping finish.
It was fitting that the game’s best player, Cathal O’Mahony, had the final say. The Mitchelstown full-forward floated over some superb points during the evening but saved the best for last, thumping in Cork’s third and final goal to wrap up an emphatic victory.
Next up for Keith Ricken’s side is an All-Ireland semi-final against Ulster champions Tyrone. For now, the Rebels can bask in the glow of a marvellous win over their old rivals.
Scorers for Cork: Cathal O’Mahony 1-5 (0-2f), Mark Cronin 0-5, Blake Murphy 1-1, Fionn Herlihy 1-0, Damien Gore and Colm Barrett 0-2 each, Colm O’Callaghan 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: Donal O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-1f), Eddie Horan 0-3, Cian Gammell, Sean O’Leary, Paul O’Shea and Fiachra Clifford 0-1 each.
Cork
1. Josh O’Keeffe (Newmarket)
2. Michael O’Mahony (Knocknagree)
3. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty)
4. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue)
5. Gearoid O’Donovan (Newcestown)
19. Sean Meehan (Kiskeam)
7. Peter O’Driscoll (captain, Ilen Rovers)
8. Brian Hartnett (Douglas)
9. Daniel O’Connell (Kanturk)
10. Colm Barrett (St Finbarrs)
24. Colm O’Callaghan (Eire Óg)
12. Mark Hodnett (Carbery Rangers)
13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
14. Cathal O’Mahony (Mitchelstown)
15. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
Subs
11. Blake Murphy (St Vincents) for Hodnett (27)
18. Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys) for O’Callaghan (48)
21. Jack Murphy (Eire Óg) for Barrett (50)
17. Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline) for O’Donovan (59)
6. Shane Hickey (Millstreet) for Meehan (60)
Kerry
1. Brian Lonergan (Ballymacelligott)
2. Dan McCarthy (Kenmare)
3. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
4. Michael Potts (Dr. Crokes)
5. Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion)
6. Patrick Warren (Gneevguilla)
7. Seán O’Leary (captain, Kilcummin)
8. Joseph O’Connor (Austin Stacks)
9. Barry Mahony (St. Senans)
10. Seán Horan (Scartaglen)
11. Eddie Horan (Scartaglen)
12. Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds)
13. Fiachra Clifford (Laune Rangers)
14. Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan)
15. Killian Falvey (Annascaul)
Subs
17. Cathal Ferriter (Annascaul) for Falvey (22)
18. Niall Donohue (Firies) for McCarthy (34)
22. Brian Friel (Rathmore) for Horan (40)
20. Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk) for Casey (40)
21. Paul O’Shea (Kilcummin) for O’Connor (46)
19. Paul Walsh (Brosna) for Clifford (53)
Referee: Alan Kissane (Waterford)
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Have to hand it to the man, he has done a fantastic job with them, most managers of his caliber wouldn’t go near a team like Leicester, they usually only want clubs that can bring the very best players with alot of money in the bank and already have a team of stars. If they get champions league he is kind of manager that can attract star names for next season
I don’t think Ranieri’s stock was particularly high after being sacked from his last 3 jobs so to be honest, a mid to bottom of the table club in any league was always going to be the best he could get but credit where credit is due. I doubt Guardiola or Mourinho could have done a better job. The problems for Leicester will come next season. Will the players lose their hunger? Will they become big time charlies and demand wage increases? If they bring in better quality players, how will that effect team balance/moral, etc…
Top 4 is a near certainty hopefully at the very least top 3 so they go straight into the champions league, adding about 8 players has to be done at least with the extra games and the increased pressure on them , honestly I don’t fancy their chances of doing anything similar next season I hope they prove me wrong but they need to add to the squad
Beano, every manager with a bit of experience, comes to his interview, having been sacked from his last number of jobs, this man is just a breath of fresh air , and it’s showing in the performances, the players get it, they are enjoying themselves , and I think they will win that league, if they don’t it will not be because they freeze it will be because Spurs are coming into form.
I don’t think Leicester will win the league. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve been brilliant and deserve all the credit they get but if you read some of the media you would think they were 5 or 10 points in the lead! If City win this weekend, which I think they will, they’ll go top and I honestly believe they’ll stay there until the end of the season.
Wait for it ………Leicester next home game and all the fans holding up signs saying ……….YES WE CAN . But I really hope they win it . Ranieri is a class act .
‘Never did I blame them and say we conceded this goal because you did this and this’ Take note Gary Neville
A point at City would be a great result at this stage and I wouldn’t put it past them. De Bruyne out is a boost too. It’s that time of year now where teams like Leicester will pick up points against The Gunners so my money would be on them for a result then.
Ranieri for United