Gaelic Games

Late extra-time point from John Mark Foley enough to see the Kerry defeat Cork

Defending champions withstood second-half comeback in Tralee

Thu May 14 2015 - 01:15

Defending All-Ireland champions Kerry had to withstand a second-half comeback by neighbours Cork to advance to the Munster minor football final.

It took extra time to decide this typical battle between the old enemy, with Kerry looking to have a slight edge when they led 0-11 to 0-8 at the third quarter, but the Kingdom failed to score for the rest of normal time, as Cork rallied with three unanswered points from Seán McEvoy, Stephen Leonard and Shane Kingston to set up the additional time.

The sides were level four times during the first quarter. Mark O'Connor and John Mark Foley were winning midfield while the Kerry appeared to be coping with the Cork attack. Two Cormac Linnane frees, and points from Ronan Buckley and the outstanding Mark O'Connor ensured the sides were level at 0-4 at the end of the opening quarter with Cork replying through Seán McEvoy, Dan Ó Duinnín and two from Stephen Sherlock.

Kerry added five points, including a 45 from goalkeeper Billy Courtney to lead 0-9 to 0-7 but Cork surprisingly played a defensive game in third quarter as Kerry moved 0-11 to 0-8 in front with points from Conor Geaney and Cormac Linnane. However the wind was now a factor as Cork finished the stronger.

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Wind advantage

Kerry used the wind to move three points clear in the first period of extra time outscoring Cork 0-4 to 0-1 with Kerry substitute Graham O’Sullivan getting a super point. Then when it looked as if the Kingdom had weathered the storm, Daniel Ó Duinnín levelled the contest with a goal. However with a minute to go, up popped Kerry substitute

Michael Foley

to kick to the winning point.

KERRY: B Courtney (0-1, 45); D Brosnan, J Foley, J Morgan; G White, M Breen, D O’Brien; J M Foley (0-1), M O’Connor (0-1); B Ó Seanacháin, B Sweeney, S O’Shea (0-2); S O’Sullivan (0-1), C Linnane (0-2, frees), C Geaney (0-5, threes frees). Subs: R Buckley (0-1) for Bryan Sweeney (2 mins), M Foley for S O’Sullivan (43 mins), D Casey for R Buckley (51 mins) , G O’Sullivan (0-1) for G White (54 mins), D O’Shea for M Breen (58 mins), A Barry for J M Foley (59 mins), T L O’Sullivan for A Barry, S O’Sullivan for D Casey, B Barrett for S O’Shea, G White (0-1) for J Foley, M Breen for D O’Brien (all extra-time).

CORK: M White; K Dwyer, T O’Connell, S Powter; T Bushe, R Walsh, S Madigan; E O’Brien, D O Duinnín (1-3); D Lowney, S Kingston, S McEvoy (0-1); S Leonard (0-3, two frees), G Murphy (0-1), S Sherlock (0-3). Subs: N Walsh for K Dwyer (25 mins), E Ryle for E O’Brien (43 mins), C O’Rourke (0-1) for T Bushe (50 mins), C Hughes for S Sherlock (52 mins), E McSweeney for D Lowney (60 mins), S O’Neill for S Leonard, C Dennehy for T O’Connell, D Lowney for S Kingston (all extra-time).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)