Munster U20FC: Cork fall short to Kerry after epic final in Tralee 

Kerry 3-14 (3-0-14) 

Cork 0-20 (0-4-12) 

After a belter, Cork fell short against Kerry in the Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 Football Championship final at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Thursday evening.

The Kingdom just had that extra composure and guile to get over the line after an absorbing contest in which both sides enjoyed periods of dominance without ever fully kicking on.

They say goals win games, and that was certainly true here. Kerry took their chances when it mattered, while wayward shooting ultimately let Cork down.

Cork led by seven points at one stage in the first half. They would, though, be four points behind at the short whistle, with Gearóid White’s green flag a crucial moment.

Cork did make a storming comeback in the second half, but on the balance of play, Kerry did enough to win it. The Leesiders did leave it all out there and should be very proud. 

In saying that, it must be said that a few key calls by the referee Chris Maguire went against Cork that did prove crucial.

In front of 2,338 spectators, Cork had the advantage of a slight breeze in the first 30 minutes, but Kerry started confidently, resulting in Paddy Lane slotting over a close range free.

Once Cork got their hands on the ball, they settled. Danny Miskella converted an orange flag from a free and then kicked a skyscraper to make it 0-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes.

The Rebels were in control, their defensive unit laying the foundation for a positive opening. Seán Coakley landed an orange flag to open up a four-point advantage.

A pair of Rickey Barrett efforts and a tidy Mark O’Brien point further extended the lead.

Tomás Kennedy got a much-needed score for Kerry with an excellent point, working extremely hard for it given Cork’s work rate. It clicked the Kingdom into gear. They struck for a goal after 16 minutes when White set up Lane for a palmed finish, 0-8 to 1-2.

Máirtín McKivergan cut the gap to two before Pa Walsh made an incredible goal line clearance to deny Dylan O’Neill what looked a certain goal.

Kerry dominated the second quarter, two quick-fire points drawing parity.

Tomás Ó Sé’s side kicked two of the next three points before a peach of a goal from White — finished with the outside of his boot — handed Kerry a 2-7 to 0-9 lead on the stroke of half-time.

There was further drama when Kennedy picked up a black card for Kerry, with Cork’s Peter Rose also dismissed for 10 minutes.

The new half began with Lane and White bisecting the posts as Kerry continued where they left off, opening up a six-point lead.

Barrett and Gary Holland raised white flags for Cork to keep them in touch, 2-9 to 0-11 after 36 minutes.

Kerry kicked two of the next three points before Lane put his team in a vice-like grip with a tidy close range finish into the net with 18 minutes to go, 3-11 to 0-12.

Cork’s response was positive, two points followed before goalkeeper Billy Curtin converted two two-point frees as they cut the deficit to two by the 50th minute mark.

The sides traded white flags as Kerry led 3-12 to 0-19.

Cork sub Timmy Cullinane cut the gap to one as the game entered added time, but Kerry just about held on.

A White free and a superb Lane effort made sure of it for the Kingdom.

Scorers for Kerry: P Lane 2-4 (0-1 f), G White 1-2 (0-1 f), T Kennedy 0-3, K Dennehy, M McKivergan (0-1 45) 0-2 each, R Carroll 0-1.

Cork: S Coakley (1 2pt, 0-1 f), B Curtin (2 2pt f, 0-1 45) 0-5 each, R Barrett 0-4, D Miskella 0-3 (1 2pt f), G Holland, T Cullinane, M O’Brien 0-1 each.

KERRY: K Robak (Dr Crokes); M Lynch (Milltown/Castlemaine), G Evans (Keel), D Stack (Kilcummin); E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), P Walsh (Listowel Emmets); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), E Boyle (Ballyduff); J O’Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks), M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott), K Dennehy (Cordal); G White (John Mitchels), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), P Lane (Austin Stacks, capt).

Subs: A Byrne (Dr Crokes) for P Walsh (45), R Carroll (Austin Stacks) for M McKivergan (49), J Joy (Ballymacelligott) for J O’Sullivan (54), I Brosnan (Castleisland Desmonds) for M Lynch (55).

CORK: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); F Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa), P Rose (Ballincollig), H Wixted (Bishopstown); A Keane (Kinsale), C McCarthy (St Colum’s), O Foley (Bishopstown); D Clifford (Éire Óg, capt), M O’Brien (Ballinora); B O’Connell (Ballincollig), D Miskella (Ballincollig), G Holland (Bishopstown); S Coakley (Douglas), R Barrett (St Finbarr’s), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: D O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for D O’Neill (44), T Cullinane (Carbery Rangers) for G Holland (47), L Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for B O’Connell (50), A Dineen (Cill na Martra) for O Foley (55), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for D Miskella (57).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare).