Kerry dig deep to maintain 29-year unbeaten record over Cork in Killarney

The Rebels' lack of ambition counted against them, their return of six points from the 18th minute, five in the second half, catching them out.

BATTLE: Cork's Maurice Shanley and Dara Moynihan of Kerry. Pic Credit: Bryan Keane, Inpho.

Munster SFC 

Kerry 0-18

Cork 1-12

Kerry’s 29-year unbeaten championship record against Cork in Killarney remains intact after this workmanlike effort in front of a 17,568 crowd.

Cork’s lack of ambition counted against them, their return of six points from the 18th minute, five in the second half, catching them out.

Brian Hurley had been keeping Cork’s noses ahead early in the second half but Kerry went ahead for the first time in the 50th minute with another timely cameo from David Clifford, his fourth point in total.

Tom O’Sullivan was also making his presence felt in the opposing half. His second point in seven minutes put Kerry two up in the 56th minute. After Brian Hurley landed his seventh point, O’Sullivan assisted O’Shea for his fifth to make it a two-point game once more.

A Conor Corbett mark was cancelled out by O’Sullivan’s third point in the 63rd minute. A O’Shea free, the culmination of David Clifford drawing a free after almost three minutes of Kerry possession, and a fisted Paul Geaney point gave Kerry a four-point cushion prior to Hurley’s eighth and final score.

Cork owned the first quarter but managed just one point between the 18th minute and half-time and slightly fortunate to be up at the break, 1-7 to 0-9.

They exploited plenty of space down Kerry’s right flank and their fourth minute goal originated from that area.

Maurice Shanley drove forward and found Brian O’Driscoll who fed Ian Maguire. He squared a hand-pass across to Paul Walsh who was able to keep the momentum in the move with a pirouette and a low finish.

Cork's Colm O’Callaghan. Pic Credit: Bryan Keane, Inpho.

Kerry’s response was strong even if Paudie Clifford had a chance to cancel out the goal with one of his own a couple of minutes later only for the ball to dribble wide.

They did however post the next four points to level matters before Brian Hurley clipped over a couple of scores, the second of them on that difficult right-wing for Kerry when he left Graham O’Sullivan trailing.

David Clifford opened his account with a fisted 16th minute point but Chris Óg Jones had it all too easy with his first seconds later and then Hurley penalised Graham O’Sullivan who was forced to foul after a stray Paul Murphy pass.

A couple of Clifford’s rare off days have come against Cork and this threatened to be another. A break was spoiled by a misjudgement on his part and he sacrificed a mark in the 23rd minute only to lose possession in the solo.

He later made amends with a second point on the half-hour mark to bring Kerry to within two points before finishing out the half with a dubious free he won against Seán Powter.

Scorers for Kerry: S. O’Shea (0-6, 3 frees); D. Clifford (0-4, 1 free); T. O’Sullivan (0-3); D. Moynihan (0-2); C. Burke, G. O’Sullivan, P. Geaney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: B. Hurley (0-8, 4 frees); P. Walsh (1-0); C. Corbett, C. Jones, M. Taylor, C. Corbett (mark) (0-1 each).

KERRY: S. Ryan; T. O’Sullivan, T. Morley, P. Murphy; G. O’Sullivan, G. White, S. O’Brien; D. O’Connor, J. O’Connor; A. Spillane, P. Clifford (c), C. Burke; D. Clifford, S. O’Shea, D. Moynihan.

Subs: P. Geaney for C. Burke (h-t); S. O’Brien for A. Spillane (48); M. Breen for S. O’Brien (62); T. Brosnan for D. Moynihan (64); B.D. O’Sullivan for J. O’Connor (70+2).

CORK: C. Kelly; T. Walsh, K. Flahive, D. O’Mahony; L. Fahy, T. Walsh, M. Taylor; I. Maguire, C. O’Callaghan; P. Walsh, S. Powter, B. O’Driscoll; C. Jones, B. Hurley (c), C. Corbett.

Subs: S. Meehan for M. Shanley (inj 35+1); R. Deane for S. Powter (45); S. Sherlock for C. Jones (53); M. Cronin for P. Walsh (58); K. O’Donovan for T. Walsh (inj 60).

Referee: N. Mooney (Cavan).