Cork blossom as Kerry wilt in heat

THIS wasn’t merely a significant breakthrough for an emerging Cork team which regained its self-esteem in last week’s drawn Bank of Ireland Munster football final in Killarney.

The manner in which Billy Morgan’s team triumphed so convincingly in yesterday’s replay in Páirc Uí Chaoímh contrasted sharply with the way Kerry struggled and in the process seeming to confirm the view that another All-Ireland title is beyond them.

While Cork’s success was essentially a reward for superb team play, a greater appetite and a level of fitness that was remarkable in the draining heat, it was adorned by some marvellous point-scoring from James Masters in particular. And, in the way that Colm Cooper was confined to a single score and kicked five wides in a game which marked a continuance of his loss of form, these two displays mirrored the difference between the sides.

In the way Cork were able to overturn Anthony Lynch’s suspension while Kerry had to do without Kieran Donaghy, the home side enjoyed a further psychological advantage going into the game. That, added to the workmanlike way they set about dismantling the Kerry challenge, was to be reflected on the scoreboard when Masters scored the only goal, giving Cork a lead they never looked like yielding.

Notably, each side managed only a single point (Bryan Sheehan from a 2nd minute free and Donncha O’Connor from play in the 14th) in a tense opening quarter before Paul Galvin put Kerry in front for the only time in the 18th minute. During that period, Cooper kicked two of his wides as the Kerry forwards benefited from Dara Ó Sé’s strong play at midfield. However, there was no real threat from their forward line.

And, the story was much the same with the Cork attack, where Sean O’Brien was putting in a huge effort on the right wing and enough ball was being won further out to supply a reasonable service. However, Kerry’s inside backs were ‘reading’ the play better and there was never any real danger to Diarmuid Murphy’s goal.

Seamus Moynihan, too, was involved from the start, having some good tussles with Nicholas Murphy — who was to do his best work when ranging around midfield. Picked here from the start, Eoin Brosnan was to make little impression until later in the match.

Galvin’s point was followed by another from Darragh Ó Sé in the 20th minute. It was a good score, hit on the run after leaving Lynch on the ground when he tried to stop him. However, in another minute Masters had the ball in the net for Cork. Set up cleverly by John Hayes (who started instead of Fintan Gould), he scored in style after rounding the ‘keeper. It altered the course of the game and the boost it gave Morgan’s team could be seen in their more confident play in attack.

Now, they were able to make real openings and expose gaps in the Kerry backs. And, what made all that possible was the strengthening play of the backline, highlighted by Graham Canty’s grip on Cooper for the second week in a row, great leadership from Ger Spillane and outstanding play at different times from Michael Prout, Kieran O’Connor and Michael Shields.

Spillane almost got a second goal in the 22nd minute when he hit an angled shot against the crossbar, but from the rebound O’Brien scored and (following another Cooper miss), Hayes added another to give Cork a three points advantage.

In general play that was complemented by Nicholas Murphy’s growing influence (at midfield), while Kerry were experiencing serious problems in different sectors. Specifically, other than a few strong runs down the left wing from Darren O’Sullivan, there was a distinctive lack of penetration and the end result was that nobody looked capable of taking over the role filled so often by Cooper over the past two years. And, for the third game in a row, he wasn’t up to the mark himself.

With Cork turning over 1-4 to 0-5 in front, Kerry re-arranged their attack, with Galvin and Declan O’Sullivan operating on the left flank.

Just over 15 minutes later, only three of the starting six forwards were still on the field.

It was noteworthy that for a period after the resumption Kerry did hint at a recovery, with a more involved Tomas Ó Sé making a few strong runs down the right side and Darragh Ó Sé kicking over another good score within four minutes. However, ultimately it didn’t amount to a whole lot for the reason that Cork retained control and looked even more threatening in attack.

Given no real opportunities from placed balls in the first half (because of Kerry’s disciplined play), Masters kicked over the first of two frees in the 41st minute and this was to be followed four minutes later by one from play which came from a spectacular kick on the right wing.

Three more were to follow from play, all of the kind which helped Cooper make his name. In the face of Kerry’s continuing problems, they were vital scores — the result of a huge effort from the Cork players.

This saw newcomer Donncha O’Connor win a vast amount of possession (spoiled only by some poor finishing at times), team captain Derek Kavanagh more involved and substitutes Fintan Gould (especially), Conor McCarthy and Kevin O’Sullivan contributing, too.

Likewise, Kerry benefited from the determined play of Sean O’Sullivan after his introduction at left corner-forward, along with Mike Frank Russell on the other side, while Brosnan and Darren O’Sullivan both exerted limited pressure. But, the overall effort locked co-ordination and there was never a stage when Kerry looked happy.

It was simply that Cork were too much on top in key areas to feel vulnerable at any stage. On the sideline, 40 years on from playing in his first final and against the background of their mauling in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, Billy Morgan could look on with justifiable pride.

lHaving questioned the appointment of Wexford referee Syl Doyle, it’s only fair to credit him with doing a very good job. He made his mark at the very start by decisively penalising fouls and while some ‘tickings’ might have been debatable, the effect was positive.

Scorers: Cork: J. Masters 1-6 (0-2 frees); D. O’Connor 0-2 (0-1 ‘45); S. O’Brien, J. Hayes, K. O’Sullivan and F. Gould 0-1 each. Kerry: D. O Se 0-2; B. Sheehan 0-2 (0-1 free); P. Galvin, C. Cooper, M.F. Russell, S. O’Sullivan and Darren O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

CORK: A. Quirke; M. Prout, M. Shields, G. Canty; K. O’Connor, G. Spillane, A. Lynch; P. O’Neill, D. Kavanagh (capt.); S. O’Brien, N. Murphy, K. McMahon; J. Masters, D. O’Connor, J. Hayes. Subs: D. Niblock for O’Neill (45th minute); C. McCarthy for O’Brien (injured, 50th); K. O’Sullivan for Hayes (55th); G. Murphy for Canty (injured, 64th).

KERRY: D. Murphy; T. O’Sullivan, M. McCarthy, M. O Se; T. O Se, S. Moynihan, A. O’Mahony; D. O Se, E. Brosnan; P. Galvin, E. Fitzmaurice, Declan O’Sullivan; C. Cooper, B. Sheehan, Darren O’Sullivan.

Subs: T. Griffin for Fitzmaurice, M. Lyons for O’Mahony and S. O’Sullivan for Declan O’Sullivan (50th minute); M.F. Russell for Sheehan (53rd); P. O’Connor for Galvin (63rd).

Referee: S. Doyle (Wexford).

*Attendance: 23,693 (last week: 26,220).