Excellent Cork blow Kerry away with awesome display

Kerry: 1-14 (1-1-12) 

Cork: 3-18 (3-1-16) 

Cork picked up a morale-boosting victory after an excellent 10-point win over Kerry in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC Phase 2 Round 2 encounter at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Monday evening.

It’s the Rebels’ first success over the Kingdom at this grade since 2023, and it was fully deserved despite missing a few key players through injury. Keith Ricken’s charges conceded two of the first three points, but once they got motoring, there was only going to be one winner.

The opening 30 minutes were particularly impressive given they were playing into a stiff breeze. They led by nine points at the short whistle and kept Kerry at arm’s length throughout. Cork were economical and clinical in their approach, with their first wide not arriving until the 28th minute. They were superb.

They now face Waterford in their final group game next Monday at Páirc Uí Rinn, with the strong likelihood that another meeting with Kerry awaits in a fortnight’s time in the decider. The Leesiders are already through to the final with a game to spare.

It’s a good start to what is a big week for Cork football, with the seniors taking on the Kingdom in the Munster final on Sunday at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Played in front of a decent crowd, Kerry burst out of the blocks with a point from Danny Lane after just 18 seconds. Eoghan Ahern levelled before Kerry forward Daragh Keane — nephew of Cork U20 manager Ray Keane — restored the home side’s lead.

The Rebels gradually got to grips with the challenge, with Éanna Lynch and Kieran O’Shea very effective around the middle, aided by goalkeeper Rory Twohig’s excellent kick-outs.

Cork then put together a devastating 1-5 without reply to move 1-6 to 0-2 clear after 12 minutes. Ben Hegarty struck two frees, Alex O’Herlihy added a brace, and Ahern landed another free. The goal was a touch of class, a sweeping team move finished by Ahern after being set up by Jacob Barry.

The sides traded points before Keane cut the deficit to six, but Cork remained firmly in control. They kicked the last three points of the half — Ahern and Hegarty tapping over frees, with O’Shea also on target — to lead 1-10 to 0-4 at the break.

Wind-assisted for the second half, Cork made the most of it. Netminder Twohig slotted over a two-point free two minutes in, followed by another Hegarty free. Kerry were overly reliant on Keane for scores, and he added another from a placed ball.

Cork defender Gabriel Oronsaye, fantastic throughout, made two heroic blocks in quick succession to deny Kerry a goal as the Rebels kept the door firmly shut.

Kerry enjoyed a brief purple patch and trailed 1-14 to 1-7 after 45 minutes, with a close-range goal from substitute Daithí Laide giving them hope. But Cork’s response was outstanding, with sub Riley O’Donovan hitting 1-1. There was an element of fortune about the goal, but it was well taken with 12 minutes remaining.

The sides exchanged points as Cork led 2-16 to 1-8 entering the closing stages. Kerry added four unanswered points, but the result was never in doubt. 

Cork then kicked two points, both from O’Donovan, before Keane raised an orange flag for Kerry.

Cork sub Luke O’Neill goaled at the death to put the icing on the cake.

Scorers for Kerry: D Keane 0-7 (1 2pt, 0-2 f), D Laide 1-1, D Lane 0-3 (0-1 f), L Mac Gearailt, D Murphy, C Moynihan 0-1 each.

Cork: B Hegarty 0-6 (0-5 f), R O’Donovan 1-3, E Ahern 1-2 (0-2 f), A O’Herlihy 0-3, L O’Neill 1-0, K O’Shea, R Twohig (1 2pt f) 0-2 each.

KERRY: C O’Donnell (Tarbert); E Mangan (Austin Stacks), J Breen (Listowel Emmets), C Clifford (Dr Crokes); D Murphy (Listry, capt), S Clifford (Listry), M Corridon (Ardfert); M Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), T Slattery (Na Gaeil); L Mac Gearailt (An Ghaeltacht), D Keane (Kilcummin), J Collins (Ballymacelligott); D Lane (Austin Stacks), O Buckley (Beale), S Scroope (Legion).

Subs: J Ziober (Milltown/Castlemaine) for C Clifford (11-14, temp), C Moynihan (Rathmore) for S Scroope, D Laide (Finuge) for O Buckley (both h-t), T Lenihan (Churchill) for T Slattery (45), P O’Sullivan (Firies) for M Corridon (51), T Kenneally (Listowel Emmets) for J Collins (55).

CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); R McCormack (Midleton), G Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), C Garvey (St Finbarr’s); D O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), C Downing (Adrigole), E Lynch (Ballincollig); K O’Shea (Urhan), P Kelly (Naomh Abán); E Ahern (Carrigaline), B Hegarty (Ballinora), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt); A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s), J Barry (Aghinagh), D Herlihy (Shamrocks).

Subs: R O’Donovan (Barryroe) for J Barry (42), L O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for D Herlihy, P O’Connor (Lisgoold) for R McCormack (both 50), M Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for J Miskella (51), M Power (Charleville) for C Garvey (58).

Referee: Eoin Keane (Clare).