Munster SFC Final - Kerry 1-15 Cork 1-12:As far as adverts for championship football go, today's Munster SFC would be difficult to better. It turned out to be a game of two halves at a sun-drenched Fitzgerald Stadium where All-Ireland champions Cork refused to lie down but Kerry did enough to get over the line and claim their 74th provincial title.
The 40,892 spectators who spilled into the Killarney venue were served up a game of the highest order; one were Kerry entirely dominated the first half to take an eight point lead into the break before Cork kicked into gear in the second period.
In the end Kerry held out for the 1-15 to 1-12 victory but after the final whistle there was little to choose between these two sides. Cork may have lost but they will not go away and few will want to take on Conor Counihan’s side as they now take the qualifier route.
As for Kerry, there is little doubt the debrief will be detailed. Questions will be asked how they relinquished advantage from such a commanding position. Jack O’Connor and his troops had their tactics spot on for the opening 35 minutes. That Cork were able to dismantle the dominance and become a real threat after the break will be the main talking point in the Kingdom.
The early exchanges saw scores coming from both sides. Declan O'Sullivan's long range effort had put Kerry 0-03 to 0-00 ahead before Daniel Goulding and Donncha O'Connor were on the mark for Cork.
Kerry widened the gap when Darran O'Sullivan scored the opening goal of the game. Some fine in inter-play led to an on-rushing O'Sullivan, who fired home to give Alan Quirke no chance. After 20 minutes the Kingdom led 1-05 to 0-2.
As the first half progressed it was clear the Kerry midfield held the upper-hand against the All-Ireland champions with the likes of Kieran Donaghy dominating play. With a superior supply-line to their forwards, O'Connor's side were always going to put more points on the board.
Captain Colm Cooper fired over two pints and by the time O'Sullivan converted just before the whistle, Kerry held a commanding 1-10 to 0-05 lead at the break with 1-09 coming open play.
Counihan recognised the need for change and Eoin Cotter came on for the second half to replace Jamie O'Sullivan. There was some surprise to see Graham Canty come back out for he struggled in the opening half.
O'Sullivan was quickly into action and scored the opening point of the second half. Little over 10 minutes gone and all six Kerry forwards were on the score-sheet after Donncha Walsh's contribution.
However Cork refused to lie down and with 20 minutes on the clock the Rebels began to turn the game.
Paul Kerrigan's effort was goal-bound before Mark O'Se handled the ball on the ground. The resulting penalty was converted from the spot by Walsh to get Cork within three, 1-13 to 1-10 and very much game on.
Further points from Alan O'Connor and the inspired Kerrigan reduced it to a one point game (1-13 to 1-12) as the Rebels forced further mistakes from Kerry The likes of Donaghy were no longer as assured and the midfield dominance had been infiltrated.
Having trailed by eight points at the break this was a remarkable comeback and a real treat onlookers. With five minutes on the clock, Cork had kept Kerry scoreless for a full 20 minutes.
Searching for the late equaliser, O'Connor should have converted but his close range effort hit off the left hand woodwork.
The referee signaled five minutes of added time and this was always going to be a nervy finish.
Eoin Brosnan scored an all-important point for the Kingdom to make it a two-point game as he spots a gap in the middle of the Cork defence and fisted over to make it 1-14 to 1-12. Substitute James O’Donovan had the final say and his point was the last of the game as Kerry did enough to hold on land their 74th Munster SFC title.