Gaelic Games

Kerry reaffirm credentials for All-Ireland minor success

Munster minor football final: Kerry defeat Cork with three unanswered points.

Kerry’s Jordan Kiely scores a goal despite the efforts of Tom Bushe of Cork during their Munster minor football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork. Photograph: Inpho
Kerry’s Jordan Kiely scores a goal despite the efforts of Tom Bushe of Cork during their Munster minor football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork. Photograph: Inpho
Sun Jul 06 2014 - 15:33

Kerry 2-17 Cork 2-13

Kerry showed why they’re one of the favourites for the All-Ireland minor football title with an impressive win over Cork in an entertaining Munster final at Pairc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Battling Cork stayed with their opponents throughout and trailed by just a point entering the closing minutes. Gary Murphy followed up Shane Ryan’s penalty save from Michael Hurley to score their second goal with Hurley adding a point two minutes from the end. But Kerry finished in style, scoring three unanswered points.

They started promisingly and were 1-3 to 0-1 in front after seven minutes. Tomás Ó Sé scored the goal in the fifth minute, finishing well following a flowing move with Micheal Burns laying on the decisive pass.

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Cork settled, though, and their hopes were boosted by a Séamus Ronayne goal after 17 minutes. Hurley, brother of senior star Brian, picked him out with a brilliant pass to cut the deficit to the minimum 1-5 to 1-4.

A square infringement ruled out Ó Sé’s second goal in the 22nd minute after impressive Killian Spillane’s sideline ball dropped invitingly into the danger zone, though Kerr grabbed the closing points of the half to lead by 1-9 to 1-6 at the interval.

A defensive mistake let in Kerry for a second goal, scored by Jordan Kiely after 48 minutes for 2-13 to 1-9, but Cork kept in touch. KERRY: S Ryan; B Sugrue, B Begley, T O'Sullivan; M O'Connor, D O'Donoghue, C Coffey (0-1); B O'Sullivan, L Kearney (0-1), captain; M Flaherty (0-1), B Rayle (0-2), M Burns (0-1); J Kiely (1-1), K Spillane (0-7, six frees), T O Se (1-0). Subs: L Carey (0-2) for Rayle 45 mins, S O'Sullivan (0-1) for T O'Sullivan 55 mins, R Wharton for O'Connor 56 mins. CORK: C O'Driscoll; S Powter, K Flahive, captain, J Mullins; T Bushe, C O'Donovan, C Kiely; S O'Leary, M Desmond (0-1 free); S Ronayne (1-0), D O'Dineen (0-1 free), S O'Donoghue (0-3, two frees); S Kingston (0-1), M Hurley (0-2), G Murphy (1-5, three frees). Subs: D Buckley for Ronayne 40 mins, E Ryle for O'Leary 40 mins, A Hassett for Desmond 50 mins. Referee: R Moloney (Limerick)