Cork and Kerry must meet again for the right to play Tipperary in the Munster Football final after scrapping out a gruelling draw in Killarney this afternoon.
Both sides struggled against the atrocious weather conditions and were prevented from dishing out the usual thrilling spectacle that this fixture often provides.
Cork exerted the early pressure and led by three points to no score after 20 minutes.
Kerry lacked potency up front and replaced corner forward Colm Cooper with the experienced Daire O’Cinneide ten minutes before the break.
Kerry recorded their first score after 25 minutes - Mike Frank Russell sticking over the first of his six points.
Full forward Colin Corkery was on top of his game throughout and he dragged his team through the mire as Cork led their opponents 0-4 to 0-2 at half-time.
The second half proved finer fair and reigning provincial champions Kerry clawed themselves back into contention. O’Cinneide combined with the razor sharp Mike Frank Russell to level the scores at 0-5 to 0-5 with 20 minutes to play.
Paidi O’Se’s side edged into a two point lead midway through the half after fine scores from Johnny Crowley and Russell but Cork rallied admirably and Corkery reduced the margin to one with a point 13 minutes from time.
The Nemo Rangers man missed a free moments later to level proceedings but Brendan Jer O’Sullivan booted over a monster point to ensure a thrilling finish.
Corkery put Cork back infront with seven minutes remaining but Mike Frank Russell slotted home an equaliser in the 65th minute to ensure a replay at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Tipperary edged out Clare in the replay of their Munster semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick and will play either Cork or Kerry in next month’s final.
Earlier, Donegal won through to the Ulster final after beating Derry in a disappointing semi-final tie in Clones. They will play Armagh in that final.
The game was played in a somewhat surreal atmosphere as the attendance was severely effected by Ireland’s epic duel with Spain in the World Cup finals.
Forward Adrian Sweeney turned in yet another championship match winning performance. His penalty goal early in the second half proved the crucial score between the sides.
Donegal’s Chris Toye and Brian Roper had outstanding games in midfield while Gary Doherty and Enda Muldoon provided Derry with some of their brighter moments.
Donegal dominated the first half and held a steady four point advantage after Toye, Brendan Devenney, Jim McGuinness, Sweeney and Paul McGonigle had cancelled out Muldoon’s opening score.
Derry fought back after the break and drew level through Paddy Bradley but unraveled moments later when Sweeney found the net from the spot after Sean Martin Lockhart and ‘keeper Michael Conlon brought down John Gildea in the area.
Derry had John McBride and Cormac Gilligan sent-off inside the final 20 minutes and then suffered a crushing blow with the news that Lockhart suffered a broken arm in injury-time.
Toye, Sweeney and Brian Roper added further scores to secure Donegal’s passage through to their Ulster final showdown with Armagh on July 7th.
Sunday's GAA Results
Munster SFC Semi-final
Kerry 0-8 Cork 0-8
Tipperary 1-8 Clare 0-8
Ulster SFC Semi-final
Donegal 1-9 Derry 0-10
Leinster SFC Semi-final
Offaly 1-9 Kildare 1-9