Kerry's Paddy Lane and Cork's Frank Hurley. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Kerry hold off Cork fightback to land Munster U20 football title

Captain Paddy Lane hit two late points to seal Kerry’s victory.

Kerry 3-14

Cork 0-20

KERRY SURVIVED A second-half fightback from Cork to run out victors in tonight’s Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 football final in Austin Stack Park in Tralee.

The Kingdom seemed set to sweep to success when they got in for their third goal of the game in the 42nd minute, Paddy Lane palming home to raise his second green flag of the night.

But Cork chipped away at the 3-11 to 0-12 deficit they faced. Their goalkeeper Billy Curtin came upfiled to contribute 0-5 with a brilliant display of placed ball striking. Sean Coakley’s score in the 55th minute cut the gap to one, 3-11 to 0-19, yet Cork could not draw level.

There was still one in it, 3-12 to 0-20, entering injury-time as substittutes Ronan Carroll and Timmy Cullinane swapped points, but Kerry sealed success with a late brace of points by captain Lane.

Tomás Ó Sé’s side now advance to face Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday 9 May.

michael-lynch-and-sean-coakley Cork's Sean Coakley and Kerry's Michael Lynch. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

They will be relieved to have emerged from this test against a Cork team who had defeated them in the round-robin phase. Cork were without senior forward Dara Sheedy due to a hamstring injury, Kerry fielded their senior player Tomas Kennedy and he impressed in the first half, but was shown a black card just before the interval.

Both teams enjoyed distinct phases of dominance in the first half. Cork went ahead 0-8 to 0-1 after 14 minutes, Danny Miskella and Sean Coakley contributing excellent two-pointers.

Kerry rallied, inspired by Kennedy’s leadership. Gearoid White set up Lane for a goal in the 16th minute and then blasted home a terrific shot himself before half-time.

That left Kerry ahead 2-7 to 0-9 at the break and they stretched eight points clear during the third quarter. But Cork reeled them in, with forwards Coakley and Barrett looking dangerous, and Kerry needed late scores to clinch success.

paddy-lane-scores-his-sides-third-goal Paddy Lane scores Kerry's third goal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Kerry: Paddy Lane 2-4 (0-1 free), Gearoid White 1-2 (0-1 free), Tomas Kennedy 0-3, Máirtín McKivergan 0-2 (0-1 ’45), Killian Dennehy 0-2, Ronan Carroll 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Billy Curtin 0-5 (2 2pt frees, 0-1 ’45), Sean Coakley 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Rickey Barrett 0-4, Danny Miskella 0-3 (1 2pt free), Gary Holland 0-1, Mark O’Brien 0-1, Timmy Cullinane 0-1.

Kerry

1. Kacper Robak (Dr Crokes)

2. Michael Lynch (Milltown-Castlemaine), 3. Gearóid Evans (Keel), 17. Dara Stack (Kilcummin)

5. Eoin O’Flaherty (Ardfert), 6. Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), 7. Pa Walsh (Listowel Emmets)

8. Daniel Kirby (Austin Stacks), 9. Evan Boyle (Ballyduff)

10. Jack O’Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks), 11. Máirtín McKivergan (Ballymacelligott), 18. Killian Dennehy (Cordal)

13. Gearóid White (John Mitchels), 14. Tomás Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), 15. Paddy Lane (Austin Stacks – captain)

Subs

  • 21. Adam Byrne (Dr Crokes) for Walsh (45)
  • 12. Ronan Carroll (Austin Stacks) for McKivergan (49)
  • 20. Jack Joy (Ballymacelligott) for O’Sullivan (54)
  • 4. Isaac Brosnan (Castleisland Desmonds) for Lynch (55)

Cork

1. Billy Curtin (Valley Rovers)

2. Frank Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa), 3. Peter Rose (Ballincollig), 4. Harry Wixted (Bishopstown)

5. Aaron Keane (Kinsale), 6. Cathal McCarthy (St Column’s), 7. Odhran Foley (Bishopstown)

8. Darragh Clifford (Éire Óg – captain), 9. Mark O’Brien (Ballinora)

10. Ben O’Connell (Ballincollig), 11. Danny Miskella (Ballincollig), 12. Gary Holland (Bishopstown)

13. Sean Coakley (Douglas), 14. Ricky Barrett (St Finbarr’s), 15. Dylan O’Neill (Carbery Rangers)

Subs

  • 19. Denis O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for O’Neill (44)
  • 24. Timmy Cullinane (Carbery Rangers) for Holland (47)
  • 20. Luke Shorten (Tadgh MacCarthaigh) for O’Connell (50)
  • Adam Dineen (Cill na Martra) for Foley (55)
  • 15. O’Neill for Miskella (57)

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)

*****

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel