DEFENDING champions Cork experienced little difficulty in disposing of a weak Kerry challenge in their first round Munster under-21 hurling championship tie at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last evening. In a one-sided affair, Cork strolled to a semi-final meeting with Clare in Thurles on July 17th.

Cork led at half-time by 4-13 to 0-2, with their goals coming from senior player Joe Deane (two), Austin Walsh and Darren Ronan, who came on as a substitute in their senior championship defeat by Clare recently. Second-half goals by Colm Buckley and another from Ronan added to Kerry's misery.