How game-management smarts helped Kerry dodge a bullet

Life was breathed into the Munster championship on Saturday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Cork showed up and battled, stayed with Kerry for the game but ultimately came up short. Kerry played in fits and starts, put up a good score and got the job done. Both teams have plenty to reflect on this week as they ready themselves for the serious stuff.

Ironically, it was the Kerry players who looked more subdued after the final whistle. Like the rest of us, Cork were probably unsure pre-game and were relieved to have given an account of themselves. They have made progress and there were signs that all the pre-game talk about a new-found confidence and consistency had some merit.