Kingdom come good to halt Rebels charge

Cork 0-11 Kerry 1-11

Kerry refused to relinquish their Munster SFC crown at Páirc Uí Chaoímh today despite a brave challenge from Cork.

The Kingdom needed a second half goal from Declan O'Sullivan to shake the Leesiders, who had led through the entire first half.

Cork signalled their intentions early, with points from Conor McCarthy and John Hayes inside the first two minutes.

Kerry hit back immediately with a Tomás Ó Sé point.

The Munster and All-Ireland champions always looked dangerous but Cork's young guns refused to give up their first half lead.

Kerry stayed in touch though, and finished the half strongly with points from Colm Cooper and Mike Frank Russell to cut Cork's lead to 0-8 to 0-7at the break.

Micheál Ó Croinín and Dara Ó Sé exchanged points on the restart before O'Sullivan's goal on 42 minutes.

The Kerry forward lost his marker before coolly slotting home to give his side the lead for the first time in the game, 1-8 to 0-9.

Cork lost their edge up front after this and could only muster two more points, from James Masters and substitute Phillip Clifford.

The Kerry forwards also struggled, but had enough to keep Cork at bay as Cooper and Tomás Ó Sé knocked over late points.