Cork U20s back on track with brilliant win over Kerry

Cork: 0-10 (0-2-6) 

Kerry: 0-9 (0-0-9) 

A shot in the arm for Cork football as the Rebels edged Kerry by a point in the Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 2 clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday evening.

It’s Cork’s first victory over their near neighbours at this grade since 2021, ending a run of six straight defeats. On the balance of play, they deserved it too.

There have been too many occasions in recent years when it was far too easy for the Kingdom at this level, but they certainly got a game here. Cork showed enough in this battle regardless of the result to suggest there are green shoots under Éire Óg clubman Ray Keane.

The Rebels lost senior star Dara Sheedy to injury after 21 minutes. They were level with Kerry at the break after a strange first half that finished 0-3 apiece.

Cork were excellent after the restart in what was a true collective display. They were hanging on at the end, but they fully deserved the win. They showed everything required when you pull on the jersey.

After drawing with Clare first day out, Cork are now in a good position to progress to the Munster final.

Kerry, with senior player Tomás Kennedy available, made the stronger start through points from Seán Ó Cuinn and a Paddy Lane free. They also kicked four wides in the opening seven minutes as Cork struggled to gain any meaningful possession.

Ronan Carroll pointed for the visitors nine minutes in before Cork finally opened their account after 11 minutes with their first real attack, Mark O’Brien setting up Seán O’Leary to pop over.

Sheedy, who had dropped deeper from centre-forward to get on the ball, split the posts and suddenly Cork had momentum. A close range Danny Miskella effort drew the Rebels level at 0-3 each with 16 minutes to the interval, with Darragh Clifford excellent in midfield. There would be no further scores in the half.

The game drifted into a stalemate, which probably suited Keane’s side. A mixture of wayward shooting and dropped efforts from both counties dominated the remainder of a low-scoring first half as the teams went down the tunnel level at 0-3 apiece.

The second half burst into life immediately, Cork going on the front foot as Mark O’Brien landed a cracking two-pointer. Sub Dylan O’Neill made an instant impact with a fine score from an acute angle to push the Rebels 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 37 minutes.

Kennedy and a Lane free cut the gap as Kerry tried to enjoy their purple patch, but their composure repeatedly let them down.

A superb 45 from goalkeeper Billy Curtin restored Cork’s two-point cushion entering the final quarter. Kerry responded with two fine points to level at 0-7 each.

Odhran Foley, brilliant throughout, nudged Cork ahead before Miskella struck a two-pointer to make it 0-10 to 0-7 after 55 minutes.

Daniel Kirby pointed for Kerry before Frank Hurley did well to deny the visitors a goal chance. Tomás Ó Sé’s side cut the gap to one through a Kennedy free, but Cork held firm.

No more morale victories. This is a step in the right direction. 

Cork now face Waterford in their final group game next Wednesday at 7pm down the Páirc.

Scorers for Cork: D Miskella 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), M O’Brien 0-2 (1 2pt), D Sheedy, O Foley, B Curtin (45), D O’Neill, S O’Leary 0-1 each.

Kerry: T Kennedy 0-3 (0-1 f), P Lane 0-2 (0-2 f), R Carroll, D Kirby, M McKivergan, S Ó Cuinn 0-1 each.

CORK: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); F Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa), P Rose (Ballincollig), H Wixted (Bishopstown); S O’Leary (Kilmurry), C McCarthy (St Colum’s), O Foley (Bishopstown); D Clifford (Éire Óg, capt), T Kiely (Mallow); M O’Brien (Ballinora), D Sheedy (Bantry Blues), G Holland (Bishopstown); S Coakley (Douglas), R Barrett (St Finbarr’s), D Miskella (Ballincollig).

Subs: D O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for D Sheedy (21, inj), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for T Kiely (h-t), A Keane (Kinsale) for S Coakley (45), L Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for R Barrett (60), L Murphy (Barryroe) for D O’Mullane (61).

KERRY: K Robak; M Lynch, G Evans, D Mulvihill; S Ó Cuinn, A Ó Beaglaoich, P Walsh; D Kirby, E Boyle; J O’Sullivan, R Carroll, K Dennehy; G White, T Kennedy, P Lane (capt).

Subs: D Stack for D Mulvihill (21, inj), M McKivergan for R Carroll (h-t), M O’Carroll for K Dennehy (31, inj), J Joy for J O’Sullivan (40), B Kelliher for P Lane (53).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).