Mark Cronin and Patrick Doyle the heroes as Cork beat Kerry on penalties

Cork 1-14 Kerry 1-14 

(Cork win 4-3 on penalties) 

CORK have claimed the 2024 McGrath Cup after seeing off the old enemy Kerry on penalties in the final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday afternoon.

Played in front of a decent crowd on the Boreenmanna Road venue, with both teams fielding relatively strong teams, it was a fascinating tactical battle. With the start of the league just a week away and preparations gone up a notch recently, this was a great match for both teams to have.

It went to penalties after normal time with no extra time, with Mark Cronin delivering the decisive penalty. Keeper Patrick Doyle was a major figure though, both scoring and saving one in the drama that unfolded, with Chris Óg Jones and Fionn Herlihy also converting. 

Played in difficult conditions, with wind and rain throughout, the sides traded points in the first three minutes, Killian Spillane clipping over an effort but it was quickly cancelled out by a Ruairí Deane free. It was tit-for-tat in the early stages with both teams cancelling each other out. After ten minutes it was 0-3 apiece, before Kerry had a great goal opportunity after Cork coughed up possession, but Brian Ó Beaglaíoch’s effort was straight at Rebels netminder Doyle.

The Leesiders kicked two points on the trot through a David Buckley free and a Óg Jones effort, but Spillane was on song early on as he landed his third point of the evening to leave just a point between the sides. A Buckley free in front of goal restored Cork’s two-point advantage after 20 minutes, 0-6 to 0-4. But, six minutes later the neighbours were all square.

Kerry struck for a goal after 30 minutes, a soft goal to concede, a hop ball on the 21 metre line was punched by Joe O’Connor straight to an unmarked Dylan Geaney and he tucked the ball into the corner of the net. The sides traded white flags before the short whistle, as the Kingdom led 1-7 to 0-7 at the interval. 

Kerry kicked two of the first three points of the new half, until it was game on after 43 minutes when Óg Jones billowed the back of the net after a delicious pass from Ian Maguire. And it was all level a minute later when Eoghan McSweeney pointed. Cork goalkeeper Doyle made another great stop, this time denying Kerry sub Micheál Burns what looked like a certain goal.

The Rebels turned it around as they led 1-10 to 1-9 after 47 minutes when Luke Fahy fisted the ball over the bar from an acute angle. Rebels held a slender 1-12 to 1-11 advantage with ten minutes remaining, but it all square when Kerry sub Darragh Roche converted a free. It was level at 1-14 apiece in injury-time, and despite both teams going for the winner, it wasn’t to be as the game went to penalties.

The penalties were a lottery as Cork won 4-3, with Cronin delivering the last penalty. Doyle scored and saved one Kerry penalty which proved to be crucial.

The Leesiders open their Allianz football League Division 2 campaign next Sunday away to Donegal in Ballybofey at 1.45pm.

Scorers for Cork: D Buckley 0-5 (0-4 f), C Óg Jones 1-1, E McSweeney 0-2, L Fahy, B O’Driscoll, R Deane (f), D Cashman, M Cronin, B Murphy 0-1 each.

Kerry: D Geaney 1-1, S O’Shea (0-2 m, 0-1 f), K Spillane 0-3 each, D Roche 0-2 f, C Geaney, M Burns, G White, R Buckley, C Burke 0-1 each.

CORK: P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), T Walsh (Kanturk), K Flahive (Douglas); L Fahy (Ballincollig), S Meehan (Kiskeam, capt), M Taylor (Mallow); I Maguire (St Finbarr’s), C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg); E McSweeney (Knocknagree), D Buckley (Newcestown), B O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh); R Deane (Bantry Blues), C Corbett (Clyda Rovers), C Óg Jones (Iveleary).

Subs: M Cronin (Nemo Rangers) for R Deane, R Maguire (Castlehaven) for T Walsh (both h-t), C Maguire (Castlehaven) for E McSweeney (53), D O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for S Meehan, F Herlihy (Dohenys) for D Buckley (both 57), B Murphy (St Vincent’s) for C Corbett (61), D Cashman (Millstreet) for L Fahy (62).

KERRY: S Ryan; G O'Sullivan, J Foley, D Casey; B Ó Beaglaoích, P Murphy, A Heinrich; J O’Connor, S O’Brien; R Buckley, D Geaney, C Burke; K Spillane, S O’Shea, D Moynihan.

Subs: B Dan O’Sullivan for S O’Brien, K Evans for C Burke, T O’Sullivan for P Murphy, M Burns for D Geaney, S O’Brien for R Buckley, G White for A Heinrich (all h-t), C Geaney for K Spillane (53), A Spillane for D Moynihan, D Bourke for D Casey, D Roche for S O’Shea, D O’Connor for J O’Connor (all 57).

Referee: Donncha O’Callaghan (Limerick).