Jack O’Connor praises Cork’s progress as Kerry finish strongly to retain Munster title

Kerry manager Jack O’Connor opened his post-match comments by acknowledging Cork’s improvement and the challenge they posed before the Kingdom pulled clear to win the Munster SFC final, 1-23 to 1-15, at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite their extensive injury list, Kerry had enough to overturn a three-point half-time deficit, eventually winning by eight and securing another Munster crown. 

They dominated the second half, aided by the wind, restricting Cork to just 1-2 after the restart.

“Look, we knew coming into this game that we’d have to earn this one because Cork are a decent team,” O’Connor said. 

“They’re showing good form, they’re now a Division 1 team, they gave us a bellyful above in Cork last year. They probably should have won the game, so we knew it would take a big Kerry performance to win this one.” 

O’Connor noted that Kerry’s injury situation added to the difficulty, making the second-half response and the impact of the bench even more important.

“Given the fact that we are down bodies at the moment, it was going to make that task even harder. Just delighted with the way we reacted. I just thought some of the boys that came off the bench made a big contribution.

“Tony Brosnan kicking five points off the bench is a massive thing. Killian Spillane got his customary good score. Gavin White was just fantastic for a man who has very little football played. 

"Dylan Geaney knitted the play together and kicked a great score. Even the likes of Eddie Healy came on there and looked right at home — came out with one ball like Séamus Moynihan used to of old, like a knife through butter.” 

At half-time, Kerry trailed by three after facing what O’Connor described as a significant breeze that wasn’t fully appreciated from the stands. They pushed on in the second half with the wind.

“That was a significant enough wind… down on the pitch that was about a 20-yard wind. We felt that it would be significant. That it would take away the two-point threat from Cork and allow us to kick two-pointers, and David Clifford’s one was a fair monster, wasn’t it? The wind was significant.” 

Cork closed the gap to two entering the final stages, but Kerry steadied themselves before Tony Brosnan’s late two-pointer sealed the win.

“The game was right in the melting pot towards the end. A good battle, a great occasion, delighted to see Fitzgerald Stadium almost full and a big Cork crowd. That created a tremendous atmosphere.” 

O’Connor finished by praising the midfield partnership of Seán O’Brien and Mark O’Shea, two players who have stepped forward significantly. Cork struggled to gain a foothold in that sector, one of several reasons why they fell short again.

“Seán O’Brien and Mark O’Shea this time last year were peripheral players. Seán has really grown. Training never lies, and last Tuesday evening he was catching those balls. Mark is so steady and such a cool head. They’re a good partnership.”