Rebels out-class Kerry to win

Cork 4-19 Kerry 1-07, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.45pm

The overwhelming gulf in class proved too much for Kerry’s hurlers at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as 2003 Munster champions Cork got their provincial challenge off and running with a 4-19 to 1-07 win against their neighbours.

Newtownshandrum’s Ben O’Connor drilled home a 29th minute goal, only seconds after Timmy McCarthy had pointed, ensuring a full composite for the Rebels’ six forwards and seeing out the first half 1-09 to 0-01 in front.

The second half saw more of the same as Cork, who went without a win in series two of this year’s National League, as Joe Deane, John Gardiner and former All-star substitute Brian Corcoran goaled to seal a handsome win.

The Cork machine got rolling with Jerry O’Connor and championship newcomer Jonathan O’Callaghan (0-02, 1f) firing them into a 0-03 to no score lead after four minutes.

Kerry goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn earned his corn with a well-timed stick save of Ben O’Connor’s 12-yard snapshot. The Kingdom’s sole point of the first half, coming from a left wing 65-metre free from Shane Brick drew the visitors back within two, but that was as close as they got.

A quick brace from Deane was built upon further by scores from the hurls of Ben O’Connor and Niall McCarthy, but with a dropping pace Deane had to wait six minutes until the 22nd minute to fire Cork 0-08 to 0-01 in front. Timmy McCarthy’s point and O’Connor’s goal, fielding a Deane pass and accelerating from 21 yards to strike past Flynn, rounded off a sterling first half.

O’Connor returned the favour as his over-the-shoulder pass found Deane in enough space to volley Cork’s second goal four minutes into the second half, at 2-11 to 0-02.

The reliable Brick has secured a second free for Kerry, but frees from Ben O’Connor and O’Callaghan (f) had cancelled that. Niall McCarthy pointed soon after and the result was put beyond doubt when O’Callaghan’s solo run and 25-metre hand pass saw midfielder John Gardiner lash home a third goal from the edge of the square on 47 minutes.

Points from Jerry O’Connor (0-02) and Gardiner followed before a fourth Cork goal from Corcoran, earlier on as a blood replacement at full-forward, six minutes later. Brick continued his free-taking, moving Kerry to four points, and a late rally from the Kingdom saw Pat Connell (0-02) and corner forward Erroll Tuohy claimed a point and a goal, at the second attempt, on 66 minutes.

Cork also had a late penalty thanks to Corcoran's persistance, but half back Ronan Curran opted to go for the point.

Substitute Brendan Lombard and Ben O’Connor saw out the Cork scoring, with the Leesiders now heading for a meeting with Limerick.

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)