Kerry 3-14
Cork 3-8
Fintan O’Toole reports from Fitzgerald Stadium
DAVID CLIFFORD PRODUCED another marvellous attacking display as Kerry saw off Cork in a thrilling Electric Ireland Munster minor football final in Killarney this afternoon.
Clifford was the star of the show when helping St Brendan’s win April’s Hogan Cup final in Croke Park when he shot 2-5.
The Fossa youngster scored 1-5 today to claim another man-of-the-match award on a day when Kerry captain Sean O’Shea also impressed as he registered 1-4.
Full-forward Mark Buckley struck 2-2 for Cork and Colm O’Callaghan also raised a green flag but they were outscored by 1-5 to 0-1 in the finale.
Victory sees Kerry advance to an All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with the winners of the Ulster decider between Donegal and Derry while Cork will face the losers of that clash.
Kerry got off to a blistering start as they were ahead 2-3 to 0-2 by the 11th minute. Clifford set up both goals with his creativity resulting in Bryan Sweeney netting in the 5th minute and O’Shea firing home six minutes later.
Cork looked in real trouble as their defence was cut apart but slowly they managed to gain a foothold in the game. The accurate freetaking of Damien Gore and an excellent score from Cathal Maguire left Cork adrift 2-5 to 0-5 by the 20th minute.
Then Cork got a huge boost when Colm O’Callaghan and Kevin O’Donovan did superbly to create a chance that culminated in Buckley charging through and finishing clinically to the net via the upright.
At the interval Kerry were ahead 2-7 to 1-6 and early in the second-half, that advantage was wiped out.
Firstly Cork grabbed their second goal of the game when O’Callaghan unleashed a shot that found its way to the net via a deflection from Kerry defender Graham O’Sullivan. Then Buckley popped over a fine point and the teams were deadlocked.
Clifford settled Kerry’s nerves with a pair of points but Cork hit the front again when Buckley grabbed his second goal in the 46th minute and demonstrate Kerry’s vulnerability in defence.
But Kerry timed their run to the line impressively. Clifford hammered a left-foot drive to the net for their third goal, hit another brace of points and wing-back Micheál Foley (2) and O’Shea also got in on the scoring act.
Another good score by Maguire was all Cork could muster as Kerry had a six-point cushion behind them at the final whistle.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-5 (0-2f), Sean O’Shea 1-4 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Bryan Sweeney 1-0, Dara Moynihan, Micheál Foley 0-2 each, Brian Friel 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Buckley 2-2, Damien Gore 0-4 (0-4f), Colm O’Callaghan 1-0, Cathal Maguire 0-2.
Kerry
1. Billy Courtney (Dr. Crokes)
4. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
3. Niall Collins (Listowel Emmets)
2. Micheál Reidy (Ballymacelligott)
5. Michael Potts (Dr Crokes)
7. Micheál Foley (Ballydonoghue)
6. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)
8. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
9. Mark Ryan (Rathmore)
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
10. Dara Moynihan (Spa)
15. Brian Friel (Rathmore)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Bryan Sweeney (Austin Stacks)
Subs
17. David Naughton (Dr Crokes) for Reidy (half-time)
24. Cormac Linnane (Beale) for Sweeney (41)
19. David Shaw (Dr Crokes) for Friel (44)
21. Caolim Teehan (Glenbeigh-Glencar) for Ryan (59)
18. Ferdia O’Brien (Austin Stacks) for O’Connor (63)
22. Stefan Okunbar (Na Gaeil) for Foley (63)
Cork
1. Mark White (Clonakilty)
3. Aidan Browne (Newmarket)
2. Alan McCarthy (St Finbarrs)
4. Liam O’Donovan (Clonakilty – Vice Captain)
7. Rory O’Driscoll (Garnish)
6. Nathan Walsh (Douglas – Captain)
5. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra)
8. Jack Ryan (Ballymartle)
9. Sean Ryan (Ballinascarthy)
10. Sean O’Sullivan (Mitchelstown)
15. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
12. Cathal Maguire (Castlehaven)
13. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
11. Colm O’Callaghan (Eire Óg)
14. Mark Buckley (Dohenys)
Subs
20. Cathal Foley (Kilmichael) for Jack Ryan (half-time)
21. Shane O’Driscoll (Glanmire) for O’Sullivan (48)
19. Gearoid O’Donoghue (Ballincollig) for Sean Ryan (52)
17. Sean Minihane (Ilen Rovers) for O’Driscoll (58)
22. Cathal O’Mahony (Mitchelstown) for O’Donovan (58)
Referee: Alan Kissane (Waterford)
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