Cork score shock victory over Kerry

Allianz National Football League, Division 1A result:

Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-08

Paul Galvin's 49th-minute sin-binning proved crucial as All-Ireland champions Kerry were ripped apart by a 1-08 second half Cork blitz in tonight's Allianz NFL Division 1A opener, under the lights of Pairc Ui Rinn.

In what could be the dawning of a new era for the Billy Morgan-led Rebels, man-of-the-match Nicholas Murphy showed great balance to drill a 62nd-minute clinching goal to the Kerry net, following a quickly-taken Brendan Jer O'Sullivan free.

Cork Under-21 star Cian O'Riordan bagged four points in a rampaging display for the home side, with Kerry best served by Ronan O'Connor and Declan Quill - who both notched 0-03.

Jack O'Connor's charges had led 0-05 to 0-04, having overcome a slow opening. The sides were level four times - with Cork's John Hayes, captain Sean Levis and O'Riordan seeing their scores replied to by O'Connor and Quill.

The former forced Cork 'keeper Kevin O'Dwyer into a brilliant stop before the break, with Cork also fortunate to see midfielder Dermot Hurley remain on the field after his flailing fist found Eoin Brosnan's temple.

Kerry raced into a 0-07 to 0-04 lead by the 44th-minute with O'Connor and Quill - a great score off his left - adding to their tallies.

However, Cork - missing five regulars including Graham Canty and former skippers Colin Corkey and Philip Clifford - hit four points from Conor McCarthy (0-02), Derek Kavanagh and O'Riordan (0-02), with the latter two coming with substitute Galvin off-the-field for his jersey pull on Levis.

Murphy's goal put the result beyond doubt, as the Rebels continued their record of not having lost to Kerry, who had Colm Cooper stretchered off late, in the league since 1999.