KERRY’S LATEST MUNSTER senior football title was chiefly delivered by a predictable force, David Clifford firing 1-6 to turn this final against Cork in their favour.
Kerry trailed by three points at the break yet the game changed in the second half after a stunning solo goal from Clifford, and some key scoring contributions off the bench, exemplified by Tony Brosnan firing over five points.
Cork’s challenge fell apart in the second period, particularly up front as they struggled desperately for scores. They received a lifeline with ten minutes to go, Brian O’Driscoll hammering home a terrific goal and substitute David Buckley clipped a neat point a few minutes later.
Brian O'Driscoll gives Cork a lifelife with an unstoppable finish for a goal
Suddenly Cork were only 1-17 to 1-15 adrift and in the hunt once more. Kerry quickly ended the contest though. Dylan Geaney, Brosnan, Killian Spillane and Clifford from a free stretched the home team’s advantage out to six. Brosnan applied the final flourish with a two-pointer, their reign as Munster senior kingpins confirmed for another twelve months.
Kerry's David Clifford and Cork's Daniel O'Mahony. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Cork departed at the break with a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage. Steven Sherlock nailed a ’45 and Mark Cronin clipped over one from play, points that rounded off the first-half scoring tale. Those were strikes Cork needed after being backed by the wind in the opening period. They started excellently, racking up eight points by the 11th minute with a trio of two-pointers from play at the centre of that burst – Brian O’Driscoll, Mark Cronin, and Sean McDonnell all on target.
That left Cork ahead 0-8 to 0-3 but they slipped noticeably for a middle chunk of the first half, Kerry wrestling back control with Keith Evans and Diarmuid O’Connor dominant characters in the flow of the game. Armin Heinrich got forward for a brace of points and David Clifford’s danger was advertised by the three points he fired over in the first fifteen minutes alone.
The early stages of the second half were dominated by Clifford. His goal in the 39th minute was a thing of beauty, accelerating clear after being fed by Brosnan and slamming home his shot.
David Clifford puts Kerry in front with the opening goal of the game
A Clifford two-pointer in the 44th minute was another standout effort and Kerry were firmly in control, Tomas Kennedy tapping over a free to leave them 1-16 to 0-14 clear at the close of the third quarter.
Cork discovered a source of hope through O’Driscoll’s brilliant strike but that couldn’t ignite a comeback to drag Kerry level. Jack O’Connor’s side closed out the game confidently as they head to the All-Ireland series.
Kerry's Tomas Kennedy and Cork's Tommy Walsh. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Tony Brosnan 0-5 (1 2pt play), Keith Evans 0-2, Tomás Kennedy 0-2 (0-2 frees), Armin Heinrich 0-2, Mike Breen 0-1, Micheál Burns 0-1, Paudie Clifford 0-1, Killian Spillane 0-1, Gavin White 0-1, Dylan Geaney 0-1.
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Scorers for Cork: Mark Cronin 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Brian O’Driscoll 1-2 (1 2pt play), Chris Óg Jones 0-2, Steven Sherlock 0-2 (0-1 sideline, 0-1 ’45), Seán McDonnell 0-2 (1 2pt play), Colm O’Callaghan 0-1, David Buckley 0-1.
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David Clifford fires 1-6 as Kerry come good to defeat Cork in Munster final
Kerry 1-23 (1-2-19)
Cork 1-15 (1-3-9)
KERRY’S LATEST MUNSTER senior football title was chiefly delivered by a predictable force, David Clifford firing 1-6 to turn this final against Cork in their favour.
Kerry trailed by three points at the break yet the game changed in the second half after a stunning solo goal from Clifford, and some key scoring contributions off the bench, exemplified by Tony Brosnan firing over five points.
Cork’s challenge fell apart in the second period, particularly up front as they struggled desperately for scores. They received a lifeline with ten minutes to go, Brian O’Driscoll hammering home a terrific goal and substitute David Buckley clipped a neat point a few minutes later.
Suddenly Cork were only 1-17 to 1-15 adrift and in the hunt once more. Kerry quickly ended the contest though. Dylan Geaney, Brosnan, Killian Spillane and Clifford from a free stretched the home team’s advantage out to six. Brosnan applied the final flourish with a two-pointer, their reign as Munster senior kingpins confirmed for another twelve months.
Cork departed at the break with a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage. Steven Sherlock nailed a ’45 and Mark Cronin clipped over one from play, points that rounded off the first-half scoring tale. Those were strikes Cork needed after being backed by the wind in the opening period. They started excellently, racking up eight points by the 11th minute with a trio of two-pointers from play at the centre of that burst – Brian O’Driscoll, Mark Cronin, and Sean McDonnell all on target.
That left Cork ahead 0-8 to 0-3 but they slipped noticeably for a middle chunk of the first half, Kerry wrestling back control with Keith Evans and Diarmuid O’Connor dominant characters in the flow of the game. Armin Heinrich got forward for a brace of points and David Clifford’s danger was advertised by the three points he fired over in the first fifteen minutes alone.
The early stages of the second half were dominated by Clifford. His goal in the 39th minute was a thing of beauty, accelerating clear after being fed by Brosnan and slamming home his shot.
A Clifford two-pointer in the 44th minute was another standout effort and Kerry were firmly in control, Tomas Kennedy tapping over a free to leave them 1-16 to 0-14 clear at the close of the third quarter.
Cork discovered a source of hope through O’Driscoll’s brilliant strike but that couldn’t ignite a comeback to drag Kerry level. Jack O’Connor’s side closed out the game confidently as they head to the All-Ireland series.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Tony Brosnan 0-5 (1 2pt play), Keith Evans 0-2, Tomás Kennedy 0-2 (0-2 frees), Armin Heinrich 0-2, Mike Breen 0-1, Micheál Burns 0-1, Paudie Clifford 0-1, Killian Spillane 0-1, Gavin White 0-1, Dylan Geaney 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Cronin 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Brian O’Driscoll 1-2 (1 2pt play), Chris Óg Jones 0-2, Steven Sherlock 0-2 (0-1 sideline, 0-1 ’45), Seán McDonnell 0-2 (1 2pt play), Colm O’Callaghan 0-1, David Buckley 0-1.
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
2. Evan Looney (Dr Crokes), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks)
8. Mark O’Shea (Dr. Crokes), 9. Seán O’Brien (Beaufort)
10. Micheál Burns (Dr. Crokes), 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
13. David Clifford (Fossa), 23. Tomás Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), 15. Keith Evans (Keel)
Subs
Cork
1. Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree)
6. Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), 4. Seán Meehan (Kiskeam), 3. Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree)
5. Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), 2. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), 7. Luke Fahy (Ballincollig)
8. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), 9. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)
11. Seán McDonnell (Mallow), 10. Paul Walsh (Kanturk), 12. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)
13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), 15. Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s), 14. Chris Óg Jones (Uíbh Laoire)
Subs
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)
*****
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Cork GAA Kerry Kingdom Leader Munster