Murphy’s goal the spur in Cork’s late flurry

Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-8

For the best part of three-quarters of the game, a weakness in finishing undermined an energetic performance against the depleted All-Ireland champions. But, a highly questionable decision not to award Conor McCarthy a penalty roused Billy Morgan's team, who quickly regained the lead and ensured victory through a splendid 62nd minute goal from midfielder Nicholas Murphy.

Apart from a steady drizzle, conditions were near perfect when Wexford referee Brian White threw in his last ball as an inter-county referee (before changing to hurling). Kerry lined out with just seven of their championship-winning team, along with Seamus Moynihan, who hadn't started a game since the Munster semi-final against Cork and Darragh O Se, who missed the All-Ireland final.

Unlike their Killarney meeting, the teams were very evenly matched at the start, with newcomer John Hayes pointing Cork ahead in the 2nd minute, and subsequently all the way through to the interval. Ronan O'Connor (captain in the absence of Declan O'Sullivan), equalised six minutes later after the Cork 'keeper Kevin O'Dwyer had done well to prevent him from goaling and with scores level at 0-2 each, Martin Cronin had a great chance of goaling for Cork in the 17th minute.

Instead of running straight at 'keeper Diarmuid Murphy, he turned to his right in an attempt to gain a better angle and was knocked in possession. The foul occurred outside the big square and so the team had to settle for a point from James Masters.

Considering the re-arrangement of the Cork team, manager Billy Morgan could feel reasonably pleased with the team's form over the opening 20 minutes most especially because they were so competitive. Some of the best work came from the defence, with the recalled Niall Geary keeping a close guard on Colm Cooper. New captain Sean Levis (who missed an even better goal chance in the 29th minute) was prominent at centre-back, as was Anthony Lynch in the left corner until Declan Quill began to create a bit of space for himself.

Notably, however, the dual champions promised more after their backs tightened up, with Mossy Lyons and Moynihan forming a strong left flank and Aidan O'Mahony more than holding his own in the unusual role of full-back. Darragh O Se began to exert an influence in midfield and Eoin Brosnan was seen to good effect at left half-forward, while an eager O'Connor complemented Quill's good work at times. Overall, the threat was limited enough, with the absence of John Crowley, Dara O Cinneide and the crafty Liam Hassett being felt. A few minutes before the break Paul Galvin was introduced in place of Noel Kennelly, who hadn't done much against Martin Cronin.

Some poor finishing didn't help the Kerry cause either, just as some innocuous attempts at scoring limited progress by the home side. For instance, a powerful run out of defence by Noel O'Leary ended harmlessly when he fouled the ball as he tried to pass under pressure and Brendan Jer O'Sullivan annoyed Cork supporters by spoiling another move by giving the ball away.

After taking the lead for the first time through Brosnan in the 23rd minute, Kerry were still in front at half-time, 0-5 to 0-4.

The pattern of play didn't alter much on the resumption. Kerry offered more attacking options, even without Cooper having much of a role until later on, with Quill most effective when he improved in his accuracy. Cork produced some good attacking movements except that there was a decided reluctance to try for scores from the half-forward line.

Interestingly, Cork's play improved significantly after Conor McCarthy was denied what seemed a definite penalty when he was pushed from behind by Lyons. From being in a vulnerable position, they raised their standard to take three points in as many minutes before forging ahead by two in the 55th minute. One of the scores came from Derek Kavanagh, who made much more of an impact after going to midfield.

The player who made the biggest difference was Conor McCarthy at centre-forward.

Kerry had Galvin yellow-carded at the three-quarters, with Liam Hassett brought in as a direct replacement, under the amended sin-bin rule.

The initiative remained very much with Morgan's team, playing with renewed confidence with the younger players finally making their mark. And, after Murphy's goal, there was no way back for Kerry. Worryingly for the management, Colm Cooper had to be stretchered off near the finish but the injury is not thought to be serious.

*Brian White's performance was one he could be pleased with over the 70 minutes.

Scorers: Cork N. Murphy 1-0; C. O'Riordan 0-4 (0-1 free); C. McCarthy 0-2; S. Levis, D. Kavanagh, J. Masters (free), B.J. O'Sullivan, J. Hayes and K. O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Kerry: D. Quill and R. O'Connor 0-3 each; E. Brosnan and C. Cooper 0-1 each.

CORK: K. O'Dwyer; N. Geary, D. Kavanagh, A. Lynch; N. O'Leary, S. Levis (capt.), M. Cronin; N. Murphy, D. Hurley; C. O'Riordan, C. McCarthy, K. McMahon; J. Masters, B.J. O'Sullivan, J. Hayes.

Subs: K. O'Sullivan for Masters (45th minute); E. Sexton for Hurley (48th).

KERRY: D. Murphy; M. O Se, A. O'Mahony, M. Lyons; T. O Se, E. Fitzmaurice, S. Moynihan; D. O Se, M. Quirke; N. Kennelly, P. Kelly, E. Brosnan; D. Quill, R. O'Connor (capt.), C. Cooper. Subs: P. Galvin for Kennelly (31st minute); W. Kirby for Quirke (second half); T. O'Sullivan for T. O Se O (52nd); B. Guiney for Fitzmaurice (62nd); D. Doona for O'Connor (66th).

Referee: B. White (Wexford).