Glory for Cork as they outlast Kerry in rain and extra time to lift Munster minor crown

Cork: 1-13 (1-1-11) 

Kerry: 0-14 (1-2-10) 

(AET) 

A sweet success and a significant boost for Cork football as they edged past rivals Kerry by two points after extra time in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC final at a rain-soaked Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday evening.

It’s the Rebels’ first provincial title at this grade since 2022, stopping the Kingdom from completing four-in-a-row. 

Keith Ricken’s side deserved their win despite a sluggish start and wayward shooting that crept towards the 20 mark, finishing with 15 wides. 

They didn’t hit the same heights as their ten-point group win over Kerry two weeks ago, but composure and strong impact from the bench tipped the balance in Cork’s favour.

It took Cork 18 minutes to get off the mark, but they had only trailed by four at that stage and were level by the interval thanks to an improved collective effort. The sides went in at 0-5 apiece, with no Cork forward on the scoresheet in the opening half.

The second half was nip and tuck, and extra time felt like the fairest outcome. Cork, though, showed maturity and nerves of steel. 

They kicked two of the three points in the first period of extra time, even if wides continued to frustrate. A Rory Twohig free and a score from sub Riley O’Donovan pushed them 1-11 to 0-13 ahead at the quick turnaround.

Cork controlled the second period of extra time, landing two of the three points through another Twohig free and a Ben Hegarty effort to open a three-point cushion. Kerry cut the gap to two, but the Rebels held firm to spark unbridled joy. 

A trophy secured, and Cork march on to the All-Ireland quarter-finals with confidence.

Kerry made the brighter start in front of 2,066, with early points from Fionn O’Dowd, Lúc Mac Gearailt and a Daragh Keane free. Danny Murphy and Keane then had goal chances, but Cork goalkeeper Twohig stood tall twice in the space of a minute.

Keane added another free before Cork finally opened their account after 18 minutes. It was worth the wait: after four wides, Kieran O’Shea curled over a superb effort from an acute angle. The next score was even better, with netminder Twohig popping over an inspirational two-pointer from a free near the sideline to lift the large Rebel support.

The sides traded points as Kerry led 0-5 to 0-4 after 24 minutes, before Conrad Murphy levelled following clever play from Jacob Barry, who was doing trojan unseen work. Despite both teams pushing for more before the break, nothing materialised — including Twohig going close with another two-point free — leaving it 0-5 each at half-time.

Kerry restarted well with a Keane two-point free, but Cork responded immediately when Hegarty pointed after a move that could easily have yielded a goal. Cork did find the net after 37 minutes when the excellent Barry finished low after a driving run and a pass from Eoghan Ahern, making it 1-6 to 0-7.

A Keane two-point free tied matters again as the game remained finely poised entering the final quarter. Kerry then hit two on the bounce to lead 0-11 to 1-6 with ten minutes left. Cork sub Dónal Herlihy clipped over a much-needed score to stem the tide, followed by a Hegarty point to restore parity.

The sides traded white flags to leave it 1-9 to 0-12 entering added time, and with both pushing for a winner, extra time was inevitable. 

Cork stood up and took the bull by the horns to win by two points. 

Scorers for Cork: R Twohig 0-4 (1 2pt f, 0-2 f), J Barry 1-0, B Hegarty 0-3 (0-1 f), E Lynch, T Whooley, K O’Shea, D Herlihy, R O’Donovan, C Murphy 0-1 each.

Kerry: D Keane 0-6 (2 2pt f, 0-2 f), F O’Dowd 0-3 (0-1 f), D Lane, C Stack, T Kennelly, C Moynihan, L Mac Gearailt 0-1 each.

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), C Murphy (Barryroe); E Ahern (Carrigaline), B Hegarty (Ballinora), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt); T Whooley (Clonakilty), J Barry (Aghinagh), A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: P Kelly (Naomh Abán) for C Garvey, D Herlihy (Shamrocks) for A O’Herlihy (both h-t), M Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for D O’Sullivan (40), R O’Donovan (Barryroe) for J Barry (50), D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for J Miskella (53), J Miskella (Ballincollig) for C Downing (77), M Power (Charleville) for E Lynch, M Walsh (Bride Rovers) for T Whooley (both 79). 

KERRY: S Sargent (John Mitchels); E Mangan (Austin Stacks), J Breen (Listowel Emmets), C Clifford (Dr Crokes); D Murphy (Listry, capt), C Stack (Kilcummin), M Corridon (Ardfert); M Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), J Collins (Ballymacelligott); L Mac Gearailt (An Ghaeltacht), D Keane (Kilcummin), D Laide (Finuge); D Lane (Austin Stacks), F O’Dowd (Dingle), C O’Donoghue (Listry).

Subs: M Somers (St Senans) for J Collins (40), T Slattery (Na Gaeil) for C O’Donoghue (43), C Moynihan (Rathmore) for D Lane (53), C Fitzgerald (Listry) for D Laide (56), S Scroope (Killarney Legion) for L Mac Gearailt (65), D Lane (Austin Stacks) for D Keane, T Kennelly (Listowel Emmets) for M Ó Sé (both h-t in e-t).

Referee: Gary Twomey (Clare).