Munster MFC final: Cork soundly beaten by Kerry in disappointing decider

Kerry: 2-18 

Cork: 1-6 

CORK were outclassed by Kerry in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday evening.

The decider between the great rivals drew a large crowd, 2,444 in fact, to the Boreenmanna Road venue for this one and the majority in attendance went home disappointed. Cork had lost to Kerry by two points in the quarter-final just two weeks ago. Micheál ‘Haulie’ O’Sullivan’s team were well below their best here albeit against a very good Kerry side.

Kerry controlled the encounter, far too slick for the Leesiders. Cork did rally some bit in the second half but it was far too late.   

The Kingdom hit the first point after a minute through a Ronan Carroll free but Cork had the lion's share of the possession in the early stages as they registered two wides. Kerry were clinical and a beauty from Gearóid White and efforts from Ben Murphy and Michael Horan pushed their lead out to four.

Cork’s first score arrived after nine minutes when Danny Miskella kicked a point, but it was Kerry in the ascendancy as they kicked two of the next three points and were denied a certain goal following an outstanding save by Cork netminder James O’Flaherty to deny Jack Joy, 0-6 to 0-2 after 14 minutes.

A White point extended Kerry’s lead before Ruairí O’Connell spurned a great goal chance for Wayne Quillinan’s side. Kerry kicked four of the five points in the second quarter. Cork’s point came from the boot of Seán Whelton after 27 minutes, 0-11 to 0-3 at half-time.

On the resumption, Kerry continued to dominate and two early points from a White free and a Carroll effort pushed them ten points clear three minutes into the new half. Cork then had two goal opportunities in a matter of seconds, both from Cian Cooney, but the latter couldn’t raise a green flag.

The Rebels were reduced to 14 players for ten minutes when Whelton picked up a black card five minutes into the second half. The game was all but over when the winners scored 1-1 in two minutes, Murphy with the goal, 1-14 to 0-3 after 38 minutes.

The green and gold kicked two of the next three points before Whelton returned to the field. The Leesiders were awarded a penalty with 12 minutes left after the Kerry goalkeeper Kacper Robak over-carried the ball in the box. Miskella stepped up but saw his shot saved by the netminder but the Ballincollig player was on hand to tap in the rebound, 1-16 to 1-4.

Kerry pulled away again with 1-1, Carroll with the goal from the penalty spot after 54 minutes. Miskella, who was lively, pointed for Cork followed by a Dylan O’Neill free. The latter picked up a black card right at the end. Carroll converted a free with the final whistle sounding seconds later.

Scorers for Kerry: G White 0-8 (0-2 f), R Carroll 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f), B Murphy 1-1, S Ó Cuinn, A Ó Beaglaoich, J Joy, M Horan 0-1 each.

Cork: D Miskella 1-3, S Whelton, D O’Neill (f), B O’Shea 0-1 each.

KERRY: K Robak; F Ryan, M Lynch, R Donovan; S Ó Cuinn, A Ó Beaglaoich, G O’Keeffe; B Murphy (captain), K Dennehy; G White, J McCarthy, J Joy; R O’Connell, R Carroll, M Horan.

Subs: E Murphy for R O’Connell, C Mac Gearailt for M Horan (both 44), E O’Flaherty for F Ryan (48), O Fleming for J Joy (53), N Ryan for K Dennehy (56).

CORK: J O’Flaherty (Douglas); O Harrington (Kilmeen), A Keane (Kinsale), J Mouret (Douglas); C McCarthy (St Colum’s), C O’Connor (Ballincollig), N O’Shea (Urhan, captain); H Cogan (Glanmire), J Trench (Ballinora); D Miskella (Ballincollig), B O’Shea (Mallow), S Whelton (St James’); H Canty (Newcestown), B Delaney (Carrigaline), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: B Ryan (Glenville) for C O’Connor, D O’Donovan (Castlehaven) for B O’Shea (both h-t), B Delaney (Carrigaline) for J French (40), F O’Dwyer (Cullen) for H Canty (44), C Ahern (Ballincollig) for O Harrington (55).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick).