Kerry 4-24

Cork 3-20

(after extra time)

– Jason O’Connor reports from Páirc Uí Rinn

KERRY WON A fourth consecutive Munster junior football final in absorbing fashion in Páirc Uí Rinn this evening.

The Kingdom first needed to overcome a nine-point deficit in the second half to force extra-time, and then scored two crucial goals in the space of a minute in the first extra period to beat Cork by seven points.

Although Kerry goalkeeper Tomás Mac an tSaoir was called upon twice to deny Cork goalscoring chances in the early exchanges, the defending champions looked good in leading by 0-6 to 0-2 after 14 minutes.

Within a minute, Bart Daly fed Ronan O’Toole the ball for a powerful strike and goal that turned the momentum in the Rebels’ favour, and some fine kicking by Anthony O’Connor and Killian O’Hanlon in a run of six consecutive scores put the hosts in front by 1-11 to 0-9 at half time.

Eoghan Buckley scored Cork’s second goal soon after the restart as they opened up a commanding 2-12 to 0-9 lead but Tomás Ó Sé and Philip O’Connor scored the first of a brace of goals each to haul them back into it.

O’Connor looked to have given Kerry the win in normal time only for O’Hanlon to ensure extra-time for the Rebels at 2-17 apiece in a frenzied conclusion.

O’Connor and Ó Sé’s second goals gave Kerry a 4-20 to 2-18 lead after the first additional period as O’Toole’s second goal, and Cork’s third, was little more than a consolation score at the end of a memorable encounter.

Kerry now face Leitrim in the All-Ireland semi-final in their bid for a third consecutive title at this level.

Scorers for Kerry: Tomas Ó Sé (2-4), Philip O’Connor (2-3), Conor Cox (0-5, 3f) Liam Carey (0-4), Jeff O’Donoghue (0-3, 1’45’, 1f), Killian Spillane and Ivan Parker (2f) (0-2 each) and Brendan O’Sullivan (0-1).

Scorers for Cork: Anthony O’Connor (0-11, 6f), Ronan O’Toole (2-1), Eoghan Buckley (1-2), Killian O’Hanlon (0-3), Darren O’Regan, Sean T O’Sullivan and Ronan O’Callaghan (0-1 each)

Cork

1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)

2. Kieran Histon (Cobh)
3. Peter Murphy (Bandon, Capt)
4. Padraic Clancy (Fermoy)

5. Darren O’Regan (St Vincents)
6. Bart Daly (Newmarket)
7. John Cronin (Lisgoold)

8. Michael O’Leary (Naomh Aban)
9. Ronan O’Toole (Eire Óg)

10. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)
11. Killian Nolan (Kilshannig)
12. Roy Downey (Delaneys)

13. Eoghan Buckley (St Vincents)
14. Seamus Hickey (Rockchapel)
15. Anthony O’Connor (Knocknagree)

Subs:

21. Sean T O’Sullivan (Garnish) for Downey (39)
18. Lorcan O’Neill (Kanturk) for O’Regan (51)
23. Ronan O’Callaghan (Fermoy) for Hickey (66)
24. Matthew Bradley (Aghabullogue) for O’Sullivan (70)
20. Diarmuid Colfer (Glanworth) for Murphy (Black Card, 76)

Kerry

1. Tomás Mac an tSaoir (An Gaeltacht)

2. Eamon Kiely (Brosna)
3. Jack Maguire (Listowel Emmets)
4. Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar)

5. James Walsh (Knocknagoshel)
6. Michael Foley (Ballydonoghue)
7. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)

8. Roibéard Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht)
9. Brendan O’Sullivan (Valentia)

10. Philip O’Connor (Cordal)
11. Jeff O’Donoghue (Glenflesk)
12. Eanna Ó Conchúir (An Gaeltacht)

13. Killian Spillane (Templenoe, Capt)
14. Conor Cox (Listowel Emmets)
15. Tomás Ó Sé (An Gaeltacht)

Subs:

18. Liam Carey (Beaufort) for O’Donoghue (40)
21. Ivan Parker (Churchill) for Cox (57)
23. PJ Mac Laimh (An Gaeltacht) for Foley (59)
24. Brandon Barrett (Ardfert) for Ó Conchúir (BC, 60 +2)
19. Evan Cronin (Spa) for Spillane (H/T E/T)
22. DJ Murphy (Gneeveguilla) for Walsh (75)
20. Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe) for Carey (76)

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)

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