As it happened: Kerry blow Cork away with impressive second half display

SCRAP: Cork manager John Cleary and Kerry manager Jack O'Connor amongst the half time skirmish. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

7.30pm Cork and Kerry fans react to the Kingdom's victory at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Video: Larry Cummins

6.45pm Here's Eoghan Cormican's report from Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 

6.35pm So it's another win for Kerry and another loss for Cork, but that only tells a small part of the story.

To recap what happened, as it happened. feel free to continue reading below. 

But for the best of the analysis and reaction from Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Stay tuned to our website throughout the evening.

6.31pm Tony Leen: Just the seven two pointers from Kingdom in the second half at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, they close out an eleven point win against Cork, and the over-riding takeaway is the visitor's deadly accuracy after the break.

Full time Cork 0-20 (0-3-14) Kerry 1-28 (1-7-14)

70mins David Clifford named man of the match as Tom O'Sullivan and Dylan Geaney add to Kerry's lead.

68mins Tony Brosnan sends over an excellent two pointer before Mark Cronin can only hit back with one.

66mins Mark Cronin taps over the free. No point going for goal with half the Kerry side on the line.

Cork's Mattie Taylor has his shot saved by Kerry's Shane Ryan during the All-Ireland SFC, group 2, round 2 clash. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

63mins What a save by Ryan to turn Cronin's shot onto the right post. Ryan then stops the rebound before his defence comes in to stop another goalbound effort. 

SAVED BY SHANE RYAN!

63mins Colm O'Callaghan shoots for goal but is fouled in the process so it has been brought back for a penalty. Mark Cronin to take.

PENALTY FOR CORK!

61mins Sean O'Shea produces another quality strike from a free. Graham O'Sullivan then fists over another score for Kerry who look on course for victory, surely.

61mins Cork sub: Cathal O'Mahony on for Brian Hurley.

60mins Kerry sub: Tony Brosnan on for Micheál Burns.

59mins Ruairi Deane finishes from close range.

56mins Tony Leen: Is this interference after a clean catch something the FRC will need to look at again. 

With momentum, it is very difficult to immediately remove yourself from the area as you come down to earth. 

Lot of examples, and frustration, around that issue at Pairc Ui Chaoimh today.

55mins Mark Cronin hits back with Cork's first point in 11 minutes from a free. Kerry have scored nine in that time.

53mins Sean O'Shea with another two point free. Eight points for him now. Kerry have now outscored Cork 14 points to three.

51mins Sean O'Shea sends over a two pointer from a free. Great score from almost out over on the touchline. Kerry enjoying playing with the strong breeze now.

Paul Geaney of Kerry in action against Seán Walsh of Cork. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

50mins Cork sub: Seán McDonnell is replaced by Ruairí Deane.

48mins Another excellent kick from David Clifford, and a fist pump to celebrate. He's making his mark, as usual.

BOOM! 🔥

2⃣ Pointer for Clifford

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46mins Both teams back to 15 now after Paul Walsh and Joe O'Connor's black cards have expired.

46mins That's more like it from David Clifford. Curls over a beauty from distance that is worth two points for the Kingdom.

45mins Wow David Clifford fires wide from right in front of goal. That doesn't happen often.

43mins Cork sub: Sean Meehan is replaced by Sean Powter.

43mins Brian Hurley sends over a two-pointer from a free. Killian Spillane finds a quick response though. He's looked very sharp since coming on.

42mins Great start to the second half this by the Kingdom as substitute Killian Spillane splits the posts with his first effort to give his team the lead.

40mins Sean O'Shea makes amends for his miss moments earlier but sending over a two pointer from a free. Level again.

DAVID THE GREAT: David Clifford celebrates after scoring his side's first goal. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

37mins Mark Cronin slots over an early free to stretch Cork's lead. But David Clifford quickly hits back with a superb strike for two points.

SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!

5.44pm Paul Walsh and Joe O'Connor black carded. Brian Hurley and David Clifford booked following that scuffle before the break.

5.43pm Kerry sub: Killian Spillane is coming on for the injured Paul Geaney it seems.

5.42pm Kerry out on the pitch early for the second half.

5.39pm The attendance down the Páirc is 13,072.

Latest from @BigRedBench @germccarthy74

🏆 @officialgaa SFC Group2 Round2

🔴⚪️ @OfficialCorkGAA 0-13
🟢🟡 @Kerry_Official 1-7

🏟️ @SuperValuIRL @PaircUiCha0imh
⏱️ HT
#️⃣ #cork #gaa #corkgaa

Clifford goal vital for Kerry and they have big wind in second half.
Barry Dan… pic.twitter.com/YEg1Nf7XC0

— Ger McCarthy (@germccarthy74) May 31, 2025

5.28pm Bit of a scuffle on the pitch between the two teams before they headed down the tunnel. Sets up the second half nicely.

35mins Brian Hurley sends over a two pointer just after the hooter sounds.

34mins Paul Geaney receiving treatment so Kerry are now down to 14.

Another score for the Rebels🔴

They lead against Kerry

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33mins Cork have claimed five of the last seven scores. Great response to the early goal conceded but they are playing with a strong breeze.

32mins Colm O'Callaghan cuts inside his man and slots over the bar. Cork ahead again. Kerry dealt another blow as Paudie Clifford limps off. Dylan Geaney comes in for him.

31mins Great score by Paul Geaney, under serious pressure yet converts from distance. Level again.

30mins Mark Cronin taps over the free and Cork lead by one yet again.

29mins Cork miss another goal chance, their third of the match. Matty Taylor races through the defence but can't finish under pressure. Cork have a free though.

2 8mins Paudie Clifford breaks through a gap in the Cork defence and fires over. Honours even yet again.

26mins Brian Hurley from a free edges Cork into the lead. They were five points down not too long ago.

24mins Big news breaking elsewhere. Antrim boss Davy Fitzgerald handed eight-week suspension.

23mins Big save by Martin denies Kerry a goal and Paudie Clifford then sends a 45 wide. Their first wide of the game.

22mins Kerry sub: Barry Dan O'Sullivan forced to withdraw with an injury, he is replaced by Mark O'Shea.

21mins Chris Og Jones scores on the run and we are all square.

Cork supporters arrive before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Kerry. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

18mins Sean O'Shea's free just creeps inside the near post from a tight angle.

16mins Kerry already big winners today as Amy O’Sullivan inspired the Kingdom to opening round win over lacklustre Carlow in Intermediate Camogie championship.

15mins Another great save by Shane Ryan denies Cork. Key saves there less than a minute apart by the Kerry number one. Could be decisive.

GOAL 🔥

David Clifford capitalises on the mistake

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14mins Paul Walsh scores a two pointer for Cork. Hurley then scores after Croin misses a great chance for a goal.

13mins Brian Hurley sends over a free. Cork staying in touching distance, just.

12mins David Clifford adds a point to his tally. 4-20 for the championship now.

11mins David Clifford gathers, spins and scores. Great start by the towering forward.

9mins Decent response by the Rebels as Paul Walsh raises a white flag.

6mins Poor kick-out from Martin goes straight to David Clifford, he charges through the defence and slots it home. Long way back for Cork already.

GOAL FOR KERRY!

5mins David Clifford splits the posts with a free of his own.

4mins Shanley wins a free when he looks to be through on goal. Mark Cronin fires it over.

2mins Paul Geaney opens the scoring for the Kingdom. Well worked opening score.

1min Kerry on the ball and keeping posession.

We are underway down the Páirc!

4.45pm The Irish national anthem is ringing around the Páirc. Almost time for throw-in.

4.43pm There's a huge breeze into the Blackrock end apparently. Cork will be shooting that way in the first half having one the toss.

4.38pm "We had no time to feel sorry for ourselves. Hopefully we can put on a performance today," says Cork manager John Cleary ahead of throw-in.

Paudie Clifford and Mike Breen run out before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Kerry. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

Kerry remain as named below.

The scene is set!👏📺

Cork v Kerry is coming up LIVE

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4.18pm Here is a reminder of the team news as reported earlier in the week. No reports of changes as of yet.

CORK (SFC v Kerry): M.A. Martin; S. Meehan, D. O’Mahony, M. Shanley; B. O’Driscoll, S. Powter. M. Taylor; I. Maguire, C. O’Callaghan; P. Walsh, E. McSweeney, S. McDonnell; M. Cronin, C. O’Mahony, C. Jones.

Subs: P. Doyle, N. Lordan, S. Brady, R. Maguire, L. Fahy, S. Walsh, C. Cahalane, R. Deane, E. O’Hanlon, H. O’Connor, B. Hurley.

KERRY (SFC v Cork): S. Ryan; D. Casey, J. Foley, T. O’Sullivan; B. Ó Beaglaoich, M. Breen, G. White (c); J. O’Connor, B.D. O’Sullivan; G. O’Sullivan, P. Clifford, S. O’Shea, D. Clifford, P. Geaney, M. Burns.

Subs: S. Murphy, T. Morley, D. Geaney, A. Heinrich, P. Murphy, T. Brosnan, C. Geaney, M. O’Shea, K. Spillane, E. Looney, S. O’Brien, T.L. O’Sullivan, D. Lyne.

THE REMATCH: A general view before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Kerry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

To read the full match report, click on the link here.

NICE DAY: Cork supporter Kate O'Callaghan, age 5, before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Kerry. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

4.01pm Nearly a decade after Kerry debut, Barry Dan O'Sullivan finds game that suits him.

3.37pm Welcome one and all to our liveblog on another huge day of GAA action.

My name is Andrew Horgan and I will be talking you all through the best of the action as Cork take on Kerry once again at Páirc Uí Chaoimh with contributions from our men, Tony Leen and Eoghan Cormican, in the press box.

If this match is anything like the meeting between the two old rivals in the Munster Senior Football Championship then we are all in for a treat.

Throw-in down the Páirc is in an hour's time at 4.45pm but until then, here is some pre-match reading for you to enjoy.

Former Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice describes the pressure game that goes hand-in-hand with being an inter-county manager.

Patrick Kelly believes the lack of variety in Cork’s kickouts is very frustrating.

Finally there was 'disappointment' as Cork football clubs denied stand tickets for hurlers' Munster final next weekend.

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