Kerry hit top gear right on cue
Once again, Kieran Donaghy’s play at full-forward was highly influential in the outcome, the catalyst for a significant improvement from the Munster final replay and which on the day was almost guaranteed to overcome another spirited challenge from Cork.
The big difference this time was that Jack O’Connor’s team raised their performance from a level which seemed beyond their capability in Páirc Uí Chaoimh five weeks ago. The result was a 12-point turnaround.
Other than Cork putting together a few promising moves in the second half, none of which was complete enough to yield the goal they so badly needed, Kerry looked comfortable once they were able to sustain an advantage on the scoreboard. They never had to chase the game.
One reason was that Darragh Ó Sé won the midfield battle, with Nicholas Murphy (injured at the throw-in) not managing to come near his quarter-final display. The other, the most crucial factor on the day, was that Donaghy posed a continual threat at full-forward.
While Derek Kavanagh did his best to limit him, it magnified the loss of Graham Canty, as well as his own absence from midfield.
To give Cork credit, they succeeded in putting up a much stiffer challenge than might have been anticipated after their mixed display against Donegal. And while that would have been little consolation to Billy Morgan, (watching the game from the back of the lower Hogan Stand), they showed in the first half that they retained a self-belief to actually win the game.
Conor McCarthy, prominent in the early stages, kicked them into the lead after less than three minutes and it was notable that Kerry didn’t go ahead until the 29th minute. Even so, Donaghy showed an ability to beat Kavanagh in the air, highlighting his threat with a great catch in the fifth minute and only denied a goal because Alan Quirke positioned himself well to stop his shot with his chest. When Kerry did gain the lead (0-5 to 0-4), it was the Austin Stacks man who helped make the opening for Sean O’Sullivan.
In another two minutes, Cork were level through a free from James Masters (who in general play never looked menacing). However, once Colm Cooper, who had a quiet game by his standards, kicked a quick free conceded by his marker Kieran O’Connor, Kerry went back in front and were never to lose the lead.
By now they were looking more formidable, with Michael McCarthy covering very well at full-back and, at the other end, Mike Frank Russell settling down to one of his best games in a Kerry jersey in several years.
With Marc Ó Sé very composed — against John Hayes and Donncha O’Connor in turn — Aidan O’Mahony typically consistent, and Tomas Ó Sé coming into his own late in the half, Kerry gained a grip in defence. Combined with the increased penetration from their forwards — inspired by Donaghy but spearheaded by Russell — they were in control approaching the break, when they led 0-8 to 0-5.
By and large, the pattern of the game wasn’t to change radically in the second half. Yet, Cork’s confident play saw them put a few good moves together which brought them deep into the Kerry defence in search of a goal. Indeed, one might have come very quickly after the resumption but for a vital interception by Seamus Moynihan which prevented substitute Kevin O’Sullivan from lining up a shot.
O’Sullivan came in for John Hayes and was to win some very good possession. O’Connor’s play was also promising and Kevin McMahon was more involved, but Kerry’s covering and general support play saw them cope comfortably under pressure.
Effectively, Kerry never allowed Cork to get within striking distance, with Donaghy setting up Galvin for a good score, Russell pointing after Lynch gifted him the ball with a wayward clearance and Donaghy himself kicking a splendid point. And while Nicholas Murphy saw a bit more of the ball, Darragh Ó Sé emphasised his better form with a few great catches around the goalmouth, one in particular under severe pressure.
After Cooper had claims for a penalty turned down in the 60th minute, Cork cut the margin to four points with seven minutes of ordinary time left. But they weren’t to score again.
The Kerry captain put over an easy free and, appropriately as he tried so hard when things weren’t going his way, he had the satisfaction of kicking the final score of the match from play.
It wasn’t the best of contests by any means, but it was fought out in a good spirit evident in the way the players shook hands afterwards. On the day, the only crumb of comfort for heavily outnumbered Cork supporters was that their young team was spared the indignity of another hammering from the Kingdom. And, for that Morgan could take a lot of reassurance for the future.
*A small number of frees on both sides might have been questionable, but John Bannon’s refereeing was both strict and fair, exactly what would be expected of a man of his experience.
Scorers: Kerry — M.F. Russell 0-6 (0-3 frees); C. Cooper 0-4 (0-3 frees); S. O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 sideline); T. O Se, P. Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan and K. Donaghy 0-1 each.
Cork: J. Masters 0-4 frees; D. O’Connor 0-2; C. McCarthy, K. O’Sullivan and S. O’Brien 0-1 each.
KERRY: D. Murphy; M. O Se, M. McCarthy, T. O’Sullivan; T. O Se, S. Moynihan, A. O’Mahony; D. O Se, T. Griffin; S. O’Sullivan, E. Brosnan, P. Galvin; C. Cooper (capt.), K. Donaghy, M.F. Russell. Subs: Declan O’Sullivan for Brosnan (44); Darren O’Sullivan for S. O’Sullivan (59); E. Fitzmaurice for Griffin (64).
CORK: A. Quirke; M. Prout, D. Kavanagh (capt.), K. O’Connor; M. Shields G. Spillane, A. Lynch; N. Murphy, P. O’Neill; S. O’Brien, C. McCarthy, K. McMahon; J. Masters, D. O’Connor, J. Hayes. Subs: G. Murphy for Shields (injured, 27th minute); K. O’Sullivan for Hayes and N. O’Leary for Prout (second half); D. Niblock for McCarthy (49th); F. Gould for O’Neill (59).
Referee: J. Bannon (Longford).
*Attendance: 58,703.
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