Sub Seán Kiely scored an injury-time point as Cork began their quest for a third successive Munster under-21 football championship title with a narrow win over Kerry at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

On top for a lot of the game, Cork found themselves pegged back by Kerry as the second half wore on and the sides were level as the 60-minute mark passed before Kiely rounded off a good move involving Luke Connolly, Damien Cahalane and Jamie Wall before firing over the winner.

The sides had been level, 0-7 to 2-1 at half-time, Cork the better team for long periods but were unable to take goal chances while, in contrast, Kerry made the most of theirs. Gavin O’Grady was on target in the 15th minute while Shane O’Callaghan struck on 23 minutes.

Before that, Kerry goalkeeper Shane Murphy had twice saved well but the points of Brian Hurley and Dan Mac Eoin kept Cork in touch.

Cork looked the likelier to improve after the interval and they started the second half well, with Mac Eoin impressing in particular, but Cox got Kerry’s first point from play in the 44th minute and that helped to usher in a turnaround.

They ate into the lead as Cox notched his points and though Cork’s Alan Cronin gave them some breathing space, James Walsh’s booming effort made it a one-point game with three minutes left.

O’Grady levelled and it was anybody’s game, but Kiely had the last say to send the Rebels through.