They know how to kick a ball around these parts. On a cloudy day in Cork city, the great provincial duellists of the old century ensured that tradition will survive this new age of second chances. Kerry, provincial champions again, may yet face down their famous blood-red neighbours before this summer is done but for 70 minutes both teams rampaged with the edgy ferocity redolent of the sudden-death climate.

Kerry played with the controlled, slightly aloof composure of champions. They closed the Bank of Ireland Munster final with iron authority and appeared utterly unmoved by Cork's early, heart-lifting surge, with saw them drill 1-2 without reply. Fresh figures are emerging at a key time for the All-Ireland champions.

Johnny Crowley has never been more eye-catching, firing four economic points from oblique angles and generally providing the focal point for the Kerry attack on a day when Mike Frank Russell was good but earthly. His one flaw was generosity; the Glenflesk man opted to pass to Noel Kennelly on 60 minutes when he might have tried for goal himself. The hand pass was overshot and the danger cleared. Aodan MacGearailt, slow to ease into the team last summer, was accomplished throughout yesterday and Darragh ╙ SΘ directed proceedings with a fine display at centrefield.

There was an economy to this Kerry performance - allowing themselves just four wides - which suggested that any roadblock of their second consecutive championship will have to be constructed on great thrift. There are no evident weak sectors of this Kerry line -out. On a day when the great Seamus Moynihan was forced to contemplate his own mortality, Michael McCarthy and Mossy Lyons patrolled the last line with added vigilance. Despite the early departure of the legendary Maurice Fitzgerald, the Kerry artillery still had awesome depth. They are maturing as a team.

Cork learned a lot about their nature here. Under a film since the 1999 All-Ireland final, the Leeside team broke free here, regardless of the defeat. With reports of unhappiness in the camp, this was an important hour. While Kerry's show was based on smooth collective precision, the home team profited on individual heroics.

Several of their personnel were wrapped up by their opposite numbers but they possessed enough in character to push this match into the realms of minor classic.

We ought to have guessed that this occasion would appeal to Colin Corkery. The gigantic local man had been sanguine in the wake of less than flattering comments about his frame and yesterday, on screens all over Ireland, he exacted a measure of revenge.

His distance frees were spectacular but his four points from play, with Moynihan in his wake, was little short of lordly. His individual brilliance must have been of some solace to the packed city terrace.

Ciarβn O'Sullivan was also back at his telepathic best, calmly reading the game from his wing-back vantage spot and clearing well. Along side him, Owen Sexton troubled Kerry with several searing runs which resulted in scores for the local side. BJ O'Sullivan was a revelation. With the full-forward line playing deep, the Adrigole youngster constantly made himself available to his defensive colleagues who found it difficult to free their attackers, especially in the second half.

O'Sullivan initiated the crucial sequence of the match, stealing a ball on 66 minutes which was flicked ahead to Fionβn Murray while Kerry's defence was exposed. For an instant, a goal looked on, with Philip Clifford running free inside but at the vital instant, substitute Mike Hassett materialised to spoil Murray's momentum. Kerry cleared and ╙ CinnΘide steadied them with a free, the last score of the match.

That cameo was typical of Kerry's zen concentration. Cork blitzed them fast and early, with Conrad Murphy heroically chasing down a lost cause that saw Micheβl O'Sullivan and Murray work a ball for Joe Kavanagh to finish with a beautiful Ricky Villa impersonation.

Down 1-2 to 0-0, Kerry set about their task and reeled Cork in with a series of fine points. They never trailed again. Perhaps their most telling period came five minutes into the second half, when a bout of drama courtesy of Larry Tompkins and Pβid∅ ╙ SΘ sent the temperature into orbit. Donal Daly hared through for a point to leave it at 0-13 to 1-9 while Cork's Micheβl O'Sullivan lay spread on the ground. With Tompkins incensed, Kerry sneaked another two points through ╙ CinnΘide and Daly.

That three-point cushion was vital as Cork rallied again with a fine series of substitutes. Aidan Dorgan's point with seven minutes to go left Cork behind by a point and by now, the old stadium was tremulous in expectation. Not for the first time, though, they were forced to bow to old Kerry craft. Russell whistled a neat score to give his side breathing space and before then ╙ CinnΘide finished it. This is Kerry's 67th Munster championship. They will be hotly fancied to add the big silver before leaving down the boots for the winter.

The pain of another near miss was etched on Larry Tompkins's face afterwards, as if he was genuinely mystified as to why the gods rage against his team. Whatever people say about the Cork figure, they can never accuse him of not caring for his charges.

The best of Munster football was on view yesterday. It could be that we will all be looking to the deep south again this year