Cork v Kerry: Player ratings and analysis after Rebels leave glorious opportunity behind...

Utter devastation for Cork.

They deserved at least a penalty shootout to decide their fate in one of the best Old Firm clashes in the modern era but really they should have just won. Given how the game panned out after Kerry playmaker Paudie Clifford was sent off in the 59th minute pretty harshly, Cork left it behind them.

In extra time, Cork had nine missed chances to just a single David Clifford wide late on.

As Cathail O'Mahony's two-point effort from well outside the arc with time up was waved off, the Rebels were consigned to a hollow, morale victory, instead of a first success against Kerry in five years. Joe O'Connor's terrific goal was ultimately enough to put the Kingdom into a Munster final with Clare on a sensational scoreline of 3-21 to 1-25.

It was a brave and at times brilliant effort defensively against that gifted green and gold attack, even when you consider David Clifford nailed 0-9, including seven shots from play. 

However, Cork were left with huge regrets.

Twice they came back from seven points in arrears thanks to their ability to raise orange flags: they landed six two-pointers to Kerry's one. When Jones netted after 61 minutes to make it 1-17 apiece the crowd of 14,358 sensed an upset in the rain ala 1983, 2007 and 2020.

KILLER

A killer blow was that they coughed up a cheap goal to Sean O'Shea, who was admittedly allowed far too many steps, coming down the stretch in normal time when they were a point up and man up.

Ian Maguire and Colm O'Callaghan had taken over at midfield at this juncture though with rookie Seán McDonnell immense at wing-forward, Brian O'Driscoll and Mattie Taylor buzzing on the breaks and Chris Óg Jones leading the attack menacingly. Sheer guts saw Cork level through subs Ruairí Deane and Eoghan McSweeney but we wondered if they'd wasted a golden opportunity and we were right.

The hosts had considerable momentum in the last quarter and actually carried that into extra time. With the advantage of 15 versus 14, they penned Kerry into their own 65. 

Critically they spurned 1-4 in chances before a ridiculous red card decision saw Seán Brady sent to the line. A textbook example of a ref balancing things up instead of calling what he saw.

Cork refused to wilt, as they ran the bench deep with Mitchelstown's Sean Walsh a forceful presence in midfield and Conor Cahalane hoovering up possession. Jones and McSweeney fired Cork in front before that incredible O'Connor goal dealt Cork a hammer blow.

The Kerry rearguard opened up for Cahalane in the next passage of play but, at a tight angle and shooting on his left foot, the Castlehaven forward was fierce unlucky to see the ball squirm the wrong side of the post. There was still more drama to come in the remaining five minutes, David Clifford missing from close range and O'Mahony twice from distance, but Kerry didn't care. They survived.

Just like they had in 2023 and '24 Cork were within a kick of a ball of their greatest rivals. 

There was no shortage of positives, especially when Kerry looked like doing wreck in the first quarter as they angled ball into Clifford and Geaney repeatedly. 

So why does this feel like the most bitter defeat of the modern era?

The players and management simply must channel the hurt into a massive push toward the business end of the championship once the group stages throw in next month. 

PLAYER RATINGS:

Micheál Aodh Martin: 6; 

Sean Brady 7, Daniel O’Mahony 6, Tommy Walsh 6; 

Brian O’Driscoll 8, Rory Maguire 6, Mattie Taylor 7; 

Ian Maguire 7, Colm O’Callaghan 7; 

Paul Walsh 6, Seanie Powter 6, Seán McDonnell 8; 

Mark Cronin 7, Brian Hurley 6, Chris Óg Jones 8.

Subs: Maurice Shanley 6, Ruairí Deane 6, Eoghan McSweeney 7, Cathail O’Mahony 6, Neil Lordan 6, Sean Walsh 7, Conor Cahalane 7, Hugh O’Connor 6, Darragh Cashman 6.