Classy Fleming leads rampant Rebels to title

CORK won the Munster Vocational Schools SFC title for a record fifth year in a row at Kilcummin on Saturday.

There was never a hint of an upset as the victors led by nine points at the break and added 10 more against the wind.

The champions laid the foundations for the win in the opening half. Superbly led by Cian Fleming, who hit 1-8, Cork gave the Kerry defence a torrid time.

Apart from Fleming’s contribution, the pace of Roy Payne, the power of Lorcan McLoughlin, a dual minor this year, the excellence of Peter Daly and Liam Long in defence all contributed to the easy success.

Apart from David Casey, Stephen Casey and Donál Ó Conchubhair, the hosts lacked any real quality and can have no complaints.

With a strong wind to their backs, Cork went about their business from the throw in. Shane Howard and Eoin Dennehy gave them a grip on midfield, and with Payne and James McCarthy in top form, they scorched into a six-point lead after just 10 minutes.

In that period, Cork hit six wides but it mattered little and the defending champions incessant pressure yielded a splendid goal in the 17th minute. Goalkeeper Patrick Noonan cleared well from his own goalmouth, the ball was carried forward by McLoughlin and Fleming showed his class with a cracking goal.

Kerry were thrown a lifeline in the 25th minute when Ó Conchubhair combined with Stephen Brosnan for the latter to billow the net, but the visitors still enjoyed a 1-12 to 1-3 lead at the break.

Cork continued to dictate matters on the changeover with Fleming showing his prowess as a free taker, kicking six points, five from dead ball situations.

Kerry were totally reliant on David Casey for scores and he added four points to his side’s tally before Stephen Brosnan put some respectability on the scoreboard side with a second goal, but it came far too late to make any real difference.

Scorers: Cork: C. Fleming 1-8 (0-3 free); R. Payne (0-1 free), J. McCarthy 0-3 each; D. Twomey, L. McLoughlin, S. Howard, G. Twomey 0-2 each. Kerry: S. Brosnan 2-0; D. Casey 0-5 (0-4 frees); D. Murphy, P. O’Leary, G. Dobbins 0-1 each.

CORK: J. English; T. Clancy, P. Daly, L. Long; D. Lee, A. Walshe, D. Creedon; S. Howard, O. Dennehy; J. McCarthy, M. Sexton, L. McLoughlin; C. Fleming, D. Twomey, R. Payne.

Subs: G. Twomey for Sexton; P. Kelly for Clancy; A. Murray for McCarthy; B. Horgan for McLoughlin; S. O Riada for Creedon.

KERRY: P. Noonan; P. O’Carroll, D. McCarthy, C. Kelly; D. O’Sullivan, D. O Concubhair, P. O’Leary; M. Kelleher, S. Brosnan; G. Dobblins, D,. Casey, S. O’Donoghue; K. Doona, D. Murphy, N. Barrett.

Subs: D. O’Connell for Barrett; S. Doona for McCarthy; P. Murphy for O’Leary; K. Reidy for K. Doona.

Referee: T. Enright (Limerick).