Clifford penalty key as Kerry survive Cork test to win by two

Fintan O'Toole Reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Kerry 1-14

Cork 0-15

KERRY DEMANDED A response from their Mayo setback a fortnight ago, they got the result they desired today but needed to draw on their survival instincts in the second half as Cork charged at them coming down the straight.

Four down at the break and trailing by five entering the final quarter, Cork pushed hard in the Páirc Uí Chaoimh sunshine. Substitutes Eoghan McSweeney and Steven Sherlock injected scoring inspirations with two points apiece, yet Kerry were able to hold them off to secure their first win in Group 1 of the All-Ireland senior football championship.

The defining moment of the game arrived in the 46th minute. Cork had emerged for the second half with purpose to cut the deficit to a single point, 0-10 t0 0-9, when Sean Powter fouled Paul Geaney. It occurred outside the penalty area but was deemed a clear goalscoring opportunity and the damage for Cork was significant. A penalty was awarded that David Clifford coolly stroked to the bottom corner and Powter was shown a black card by referee David Gough.

It was the only green flag raised on the day. Kerry were sluggish thereafter and placed under immense pressure by Cork. But two points was the closest John Cleary’s side got and the goal was influential in keeping Kerry in the ascendancy. They departed relieved to have squeezed out a win.

sean-oshea-and-paudie-clifford-celebrate Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

The opening period had been controlled by Kerry. After a recent slump from his high standards, Sean O’Shea provided a telling riposte with his form in the forward line. By the 20th minute he had four points to his name, firing over three from play and saw another effort denied by the woodwork.

With the Clifford brothers contributing two points apiece, the pick of the bunch a booming shot from outside the 45-yard line by David in the 30th minute, Kerry were able to fashion their 0-9 to 0-5 interval advantage.

Cork had some good defensive moments as Powter reprised his sweeper role in defence and excelled in the first half. The home team were competitive on the scoreboard early on, trailing 0-4 to 0-3 after 15 minutes but only added two more points before half-time. They struggled desperately to inject the creativity and energy needed to penetrate the Kerry defence.

brian-hurley-and-jason-foley Cork's Brian Hurley and Kerry's Jason Foley. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Yet they thundered into contention early in the second half. Brian Hurley (2), Killian O’Hanlon and Powter all reeled off points as part of an explosive Cork start. The solitary Kerry reply was a pointed free by O’Shea and they were hanging to their advantage before Clifford netted to provide a timely boost.

There was a lull in the game thereafter, Cork forced to play with 14 and still trailing by five when Powter was reintroduced. They powered forward then and chipped away at Kerry’s advantage, outscoring them 0-5 to 0-2 in the finale. Sherlock might have got a goal when he blasted a shot over from a tight angle and a late delivery hoisted in by Mattie Taylor was dealt with by the Kerry rearguard.

Clifford knocked over a couple of crucial points and it was sufficient to get Kerry over the line. They meet Louth in the last round, while Cork will take on Mayo.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Seán O’Shea 0-5 (0-2f), Paudie Clifford 0-2, Adrian Spillane 0-1, Tom O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 mark), Seán Powter 0-2, Steven Sherlock 0-2, Eoghan McSweeney 0-2, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1, Killian O’Hanlon 0-1, Chris Óg Jones 0-1.

Kerry

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 2. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)

5. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), 9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)

12. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe), 11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), 10. Dara Moynihan (Spa)

13. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 14. David Clifford (Fossa – captain), 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)

Subs

20. Ruairi Murphy (Listry) for Spillane (half-time)
23. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare) for Moynihan (61)
17. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) for Geaney (62)
19. Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Barry (64)
21. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes) for Paudie Clifford (72)

Cork

1. Micheal Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers)

2. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), 6. Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), 4. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)

13. Sean Powter (Douglas)

5. Luke Fahy (Ballincollig), 3. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), 7. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)

8. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), 9. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)

12. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig), 11. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues), 10. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)

14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven – captain) 15. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary)