Jack O’Connor: Cork didn’t turn up as Kerry didn’t allow them

The desperately one-sided nature of Saturday’s Munster football final had more to do with Kerry class than Cork not showing up, according to Jack O’Connor.

Kerry’s 17-point trouncing of Ronan McCarthy’s side was the county’s largest Munster final win over Cork since 1938. O’Connor, who managed the Kingdom to three All-Ireland senior titles, believes the influx of youth has instilled “real belief” in Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s side, with six players making their Munster final debut at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“It was a massive performance, but I’d rather give Kerry credit than say Cork underperformed,” O’Connor said.