A CHRIS ÓG Jones point from play, created by promising substitute Dara Sheedy, sealed the narrowest of victories for Cork over Kerry in a lively McGrath Cup Final, sealing the Rebels’ first senior football victory at Fitzgerald Stadium since the 1995 Munster decider.
John Cleary’s side, who trailed for over 50 minutes, made an encouraging recovery from a four-point interval deficit, eventually taking the lead with Brian Hurley’s second two-point free in the 58th minute of the game.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately, with Tony Brosnan and Killian Spillane firing Kerry back into the ascendancy (0-15 t0 0-14).
But a Hurley tap-over from a placed ball, followed by Jones’ winner, gave Cork an early-season psychological boost.
The home side led by four points at half-time (0-9 to 0-5), with Seán O’Shea quick to get into his stride on his first appearance of the new year. The centre-forward had 0-5 on the board by the end of the opening 30 minutes.
Cork were left to rue botching two gilt-edged goal-scoring chances. In the 11th minute, Sean McDonnell, after a direct run, was foiled by a stunning Shane Ryan save. Six minutes later, after a bad kick-out, Mark Cronin blazed high and wide when clean through.
Colm O’Callaghan at midfield and McDonnell were impressive runners from deep for the Rebels while Kerry, fielding with seven starters from the All-Ireland final victory over Donegal last July, will look to bounce back in next week’s National League opener against Roscommon.
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Teams and scorers:
KERRY: S Ryan; E Looney, J Foley, D Casey 0-1; A Heinrich 0-1, M Breen, T Morley; J O’Connor, C Trant; D O’Sullivan, S O’Shea 0-5 (0-1 ’45, 0-1f, 1tpf), D Lyne; D Clifford 0-1(f), T Kennedy, T Brosnan 0-5 (1tp).
Subs: S Broderick for Ryan (ht), M Burns for O’Sullivan (ht), S O’Brien for Trant (ht), R Murphy 0-1 for Lyne (ht), C Keating for Breen (43), T O’Donnell for O’Shea (43), L Smith for O’Connor (43), K Spillane 0-1 for Clifford (48), K Evans for Kennedy (54), E O’Connor for Looney (54), P O’Leary for Morley (56).
CORK: P Doyle; S Brady, D O’Mahony, J O’Driscoll; B O’Driscoll, R Maguire, L Fahy 0-1; C O’Callaghan 0-2, S Walsh; R Deane, S McDonnell 0-2, C Cahalane; M Cronin 0-2(fs), C Óg Jones 0-2, S Sherlock 0-1(f).
Subs: MA Martin for Doyle (ht), M Shanley for Brady (ht), M Taylor 0-1 for Fahy (ht), T Walsh for J O’Driscoll (ht), P Walsh for Deane (ht), B Hurley 0-5 (2tpf, 0-1f) for Sherlock (ht), S Meehan for B O’Driscoll (42), D Sheedy for Cahalane (43), C Daly for Cronin (43), M McSweeney for S Walsh (51).
Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).
****
Dr McKenna Cup Final
Donegal 2-17
Monaghan 0-11
TWO GOALS FROM Shea Malone helped Donegal secure the Dr McKenna Cup as Jim McGuinness’ side overpowered Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh.
Malone’s first goal arrived in the sixth minute, finishing to the net from close distance to give his side their first score of the game as Donegal took a four-point lead into the half-time break at 1-7 to 0-6.
Malone finished the game with 2-1 while goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany slotted two two-pointers from frees, and Jason McGee also lifted an orange flag.
Mulreany also produced a brilliant save to deny Ryan Wylie who tried to palm the ball to the net.
Both sides will get their National League campaigns underway next weekend as Donegal head to Croke Park for their Division 1 opener against Dublin on Saturday. Monaghan host Armagh on Sunday in Clones.
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Cork and Donegal claim pre-season football titles
LAST UPDATE | 17 Jan
Kerry 0-15
Cork 0-16
John O’Dowd reports from Fitzgerald Stadium
A CHRIS ÓG Jones point from play, created by promising substitute Dara Sheedy, sealed the narrowest of victories for Cork over Kerry in a lively McGrath Cup Final, sealing the Rebels’ first senior football victory at Fitzgerald Stadium since the 1995 Munster decider.
John Cleary’s side, who trailed for over 50 minutes, made an encouraging recovery from a four-point interval deficit, eventually taking the lead with Brian Hurley’s second two-point free in the 58th minute of the game.
However, the hosts responded almost immediately, with Tony Brosnan and Killian Spillane firing Kerry back into the ascendancy (0-15 t0 0-14).
But a Hurley tap-over from a placed ball, followed by Jones’ winner, gave Cork an early-season psychological boost.
The home side led by four points at half-time (0-9 to 0-5), with Seán O’Shea quick to get into his stride on his first appearance of the new year. The centre-forward had 0-5 on the board by the end of the opening 30 minutes.
Cork were left to rue botching two gilt-edged goal-scoring chances. In the 11th minute, Sean McDonnell, after a direct run, was foiled by a stunning Shane Ryan save. Six minutes later, after a bad kick-out, Mark Cronin blazed high and wide when clean through.
Colm O’Callaghan at midfield and McDonnell were impressive runners from deep for the Rebels while Kerry, fielding with seven starters from the All-Ireland final victory over Donegal last July, will look to bounce back in next week’s National League opener against Roscommon.
Teams and scorers:
KERRY: S Ryan; E Looney, J Foley, D Casey 0-1; A Heinrich 0-1, M Breen, T Morley; J O’Connor, C Trant; D O’Sullivan, S O’Shea 0-5 (0-1 ’45, 0-1f, 1tpf), D Lyne; D Clifford 0-1(f), T Kennedy, T Brosnan 0-5 (1tp).
Subs: S Broderick for Ryan (ht), M Burns for O’Sullivan (ht), S O’Brien for Trant (ht), R Murphy 0-1 for Lyne (ht), C Keating for Breen (43), T O’Donnell for O’Shea (43), L Smith for O’Connor (43), K Spillane 0-1 for Clifford (48), K Evans for Kennedy (54), E O’Connor for Looney (54), P O’Leary for Morley (56).
CORK: P Doyle; S Brady, D O’Mahony, J O’Driscoll; B O’Driscoll, R Maguire, L Fahy 0-1; C O’Callaghan 0-2, S Walsh; R Deane, S McDonnell 0-2, C Cahalane; M Cronin 0-2(fs), C Óg Jones 0-2, S Sherlock 0-1(f).
Subs: MA Martin for Doyle (ht), M Shanley for Brady (ht), M Taylor 0-1 for Fahy (ht), T Walsh for J O’Driscoll (ht), P Walsh for Deane (ht), B Hurley 0-5 (2tpf, 0-1f) for Sherlock (ht), S Meehan for B O’Driscoll (42), D Sheedy for Cahalane (43), C Daly for Cronin (43), M McSweeney for S Walsh (51).
Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).
****
Dr McKenna Cup Final
Donegal 2-17
Monaghan 0-11
TWO GOALS FROM Shea Malone helped Donegal secure the Dr McKenna Cup as Jim McGuinness’ side overpowered Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh.
Malone’s first goal arrived in the sixth minute, finishing to the net from close distance to give his side their first score of the game as Donegal took a four-point lead into the half-time break at 1-7 to 0-6.
An Andrew Woods free brought Monaghan to within three points at the start of the second half but Donegal gradually took control.
Malone struck again for his second goal after 53 minutes with a powerful strike to the roof of the net to push Donegal into a 2-13 to 0-10 advantage.
Malone finished the game with 2-1 while goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany slotted two two-pointers from frees, and Jason McGee also lifted an orange flag.
Mulreany also produced a brilliant save to deny Ryan Wylie who tried to palm the ball to the net.
Both sides will get their National League campaigns underway next weekend as Donegal head to Croke Park for their Division 1 opener against Dublin on Saturday. Monaghan host Armagh on Sunday in Clones.
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Dr McKenna Cup GAA Gaelic Football McGrath Cup