MacGearailt scores carry Kerry minors past Cork
RISING HIGHEST: Killian Dennehy of Kerry and Harry Cogan of Cork in action during the game. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.
Kerry started their Munster minor championship campaign on the right note after securing a victory over their old rivals Cork in Tralee.
It was a case of shadow boxing between the two at Austin Stack Park, given they will potentially meet once again in the Munster decider. Both progress into Munster semi-finals with Tipp and Clare the opponents.
Kerry dominated around midfield and the most telling stat was Kerry won 12 of the 22 Cork kick-outs and scored 0-5 from those. Cork’s only managed eight scores from 22 shots, while Kerry scored 12 from 30 attempts.
'Haulie' O'Sullivan's Rebels struggled to convert early chances in the opening half and Kerry quickly built a two point lead.
Dylan O’Neill almost found the net for Cork after five minutes but a terrific block from wing-back Gavin O’Keeffe denied the corner forward.
Kerry were defending well in their shape, however, Cork almost exploited a gap in the Kingdom rearguard. Humphrey Canty made a drive for goal but Kerry got numbers back, but allowed Sean Whelton get Cork on the board after ten minutes.
It was cagey for large parts with Kerry leading 0-3 to 0-1 by the twenty minute mark.
As the Kingdom squandered a chance at one end Cork found the net at the other.
Finn O’Dwyer was tripped by O’Keeffe and referee Eoin Morrissey awarded a penalty which looked to have been a foul outside the box.
Danny Miskella - son of 2010 Cork All-Ireland winner John - stepped up to take the spot kick and blasted to the net, sending Kacper Robak the wrong way for the lead.
The Rebels almost found the net for a second time in a sixty second window, when O’Neill made another swashbuckling run toward the Kerry goal, but Robak denied him from close range.
Kerry found their rhythm as the half neared its conclusion, kicking four scores in succession to build a 0-7 to 1-1 lead by the 27th minute. Whelton ended the run with his second of the contest and Kerry went into the break ahead by two points.
Momentum stayed with the Kingdom in the third quarter, Ruadhan Donovan added the opening score of the second half with four minutes on the clock. Ronan Carroll almost goaled soon after but the feet of Denjoe O’Riordan denied Kerry the chance to unfurl the green flag.
Robak was again called into action in the 38th minute, the Dr Crokes net minder again thwarting O’Neill with another stunning save from close range.
Cork did however end the quarter looking the sharper, O’Neill drawing another foul for Whelton to convert and from the resulting kickout, O’Neill was given a gift of a score to make it a one point game come the quarter's end, 0-8 to 1-4.
Kerry found another gear in the final ten minutes, Cian MacGearailt kicked two vital points off the bench as Kerry held out for a two point win.
J McCarthy, G White, C MacGearailt 0-2 each, R Carroll 0-1f, R O’Connell, B Murphy, R Donovan, M Horan, J Joy 0-1 each.
D Miskella 1-0 pen, S Whelton 0-3, 2f, D O’Neill 0-3, 2f, C McCarthy 0-1.
K Robak (Dr Crokes); F Ryan (Austin Stacks), M Lynch (Milltown/Castlemaine), R Donovan (Annascaul); S Ó Cuinn (An Ghaeltacht), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), G O’Keeffe (Finuge); B Murphy (Austin Stacks), K Dennehy (Cordal); G White (John Mitchels), J McCarthy (Spa), R O’Connell (St Senan's); J Joy (Ballymacelligott), R Carroll (Austin Stacks), M Horan (Scartaglin).
E O’Flaherty (Ardfert) for S Ó Cuinn (38), O Fleming (Legion) for R O’Connell (43), C MacGearailt (An Ghaeltacht) for J McCarthy (51), D Sargent (John Mitchels) for G O’Keeffe (55), E Murphy (Listry) for R Carroll (59).
D O’Riordan (Kilshannig); O Harrington (Kilmeen), A Keane (Kinsale), J Mouret (Douglas); C McCarthy (St Colum’s), C O’Connor (Ballincollig), C Ahern (Ballincollig); H Cogan (Glanmire), B O’Shea (Mallow); D Miskella (Ballincollig), D O’Donovan (Castlehaven), S Whelton (St James’); H Canty (Newcestown), F O’Dwyer (Cullen), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).
E Lehane (Dohenys) for D O’Donovan (35), D Mellerick (Nemo Rangers) for S Whelton (50), P McGrath (Douglas) for F O’ Dwyer (50)
E Morrissey (Waterford).
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