Munster U20FC: Cork lose out narrowly to Kerry
Read BARRY O'MAHONYs @echolive match report below
The Rebels final game in the round-robin format is down the Páirc next Wednesday against Clare
Cork: 0-11
Kerry: 1-12
THE Rebels were defeated by Kerry in the EirGrid Munster U20 football championship phase 2 round 2 game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday evening.
The Kingdom were just that little bit better than Cork and got the scores at vital stages of a keenly fought contest between the great rivals.
Ray O’Mahony’s side defeated Tipperary away last week and despite this defeat, Cork know if they beat Clare next Wednesday down the Páirc at 7pm, it will be enough to book a Munster final spot.
There was one change to the team that was announced on Monday, with Luke O’Herlihy coming in for Dara Sheedy in the forward department.
Kerry were aided by a strong wind in the opening 30 minutes, and they got the first score through a Luke Crowley point after a minute, but their lead lasted just two minutes when Hugh O’Connor converted a free. The sides traded white flags with Cork’s effort coming from a mark through O’Connor.
An outstanding Aaron O’Sullivan point nudged Cork in front for the first time after eight minutes. A pair of O’Connor white flags, one from a free, gave the Rebels a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage after 13 minutes. Cork continued to be in the ascendancy despite playing against the elements as Ray O’Mahony’s side led 0-6 to 0-5 with five minutes to the break.
Kerry were growing into the game though and a Cormac Dillon free tied up matters before the same player pounced for a goal after 29 minutes when the lively forward tucked the ball into the corner of the net. The green and gold 1-6 to 0-6 ahead at half-time.
With Cork now wind assisted in the second half, the Rebels made a positive start when O’Connor landed a point and O’Herlihy tapping over a free five minutes in. Scores were hard to come by in this half. Kerry got their first of the new half 13 minutes in when substitute Maidhcí Lynch bisected the posts, 1-7 to 0-8. The away side were on top and two points without reply pushed Kerry 1-9 to 0-8 clear after 47 minutes.
The sides exchanged points with O’Connor registering Cork’s much needed score. Gearóid Evans extended Kerry’s lead out to five points before Cork sub Ross Corkery, just on the pitch, kicked a long range free, 1-11 to 0-10 after 57 minutes.
Another sub, Sheedy, pointed << CLICK HERE TO VIEW<< to leave just a goal in it but Kerry defended well and kicked the last score through a Dillon free which was a 45.
The Leesiders will face Clare in the last round-robin game next Wednesday down the Páirc at 7pm. A big one now.
Scorers for Cork: H O’Connor 0-6 (0-2 f, 0-1 m), A O’Sullivan, L O’Herlihy (f), R Corkery (f), E Myers, D Sheedy 0-1 each.
Kerry: C Dillon 1-5 (0-3 f, 0-2 45), L Crowley, G Evans 0-2 each, T Kennedy (m), E Healy, M Lynch 0-1 each.
CORK: M O’Connell (St Michael’s); D Twomey (Ballinascarthy), S O’Connell (Kilshannig), M Óg O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues); C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), D Buckley (Douglas), S Copps (Mallow); D O’Brien (Glanworth), M McSweeney (Knocknagree); B Hayes (Nemo Rangers), H O’Connor (Newmarket, capt), A O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), E Myers (Naomh Abán), L O’Herlihy (St Michael’s).
Subs: D Sheedy (Bantry Blues) for L O’Herlihy (42), N Kelly (Newcestown) for B Hayes (46), J O’Neill (Castlehaven) for M McSweeney (53), R Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for E Myers (55), R Kavanagh (St Michael’s) for A O’Sullivan (59).
KERRY: M Tansley; R Diggin, D O’Callaghan, G Evans; C Keating, D O’Connor, C Lynch; R Stack (capt), E Healy; E Boyle, O Ferris, D Kirby; C Dillon, T Kennedy, L Crowley.
Subs: P Lane for O Ferris (26), J Kelleher for E Boyle (37), M Lynch for R Diggin (41), F Murphy for D Kirby, A Crowley for L Crowley (both 56).
Referee: Niall Quinn (Clare).
httpss://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41376694.html
