Cork 1-13

Kerry 0-14

(after extra time)

MATTHEW HURLEY REPORTS

CORK minor boss Keith Ricken hailed his side’s maturity after they clinched the county’s first Munster MFC title since 2022.

Their extra-time victory over Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night was far from flawless, but the Rebels showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.

Cork took the lead for the first time after 36 minutes when Jacob Barry rifled to the net following an accurate kick-pass from Eoghan Ahern. While the game finished level after normal time, Cork looked the stronger side in extra-time once they grabbed that goal.

Cork captain Joe Miskella lifts the cup. (Photo: George Hatchell)

‘They are a very mature bunch. You saw the way they played there. Things were going wrong at times. We didn’t play overly well. A lot of decisions went against us,’ a delighted Ricken said.

‘The free count was kind of bananas, which can happen. It’s not as if the referee was poor. It’s just one of these things. Yet, we just stuck to our task. At the start of the second half of extra time, we were on top. We were all over them. We were beating them hands down, but we knew we were spending every bit of energy we had.’

Cork converted just 13 of their 38 shots and still finished with 13 more attempts than Kerry. Only in the opening quarter, when the visitors surged 0-4 to 0-0 ahead, did the Rebels struggle to gain momentum.

Their willingness to take risks became a defining feature once they settled into the contest and ultimately proved decisive.

Cork's Kieran O'Shea (Urhan) about to be tackled by Kerry's Conor Clifford. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘We had loads of wides. There was a rashness about it, but that’s young lads. That’s minors. That’s a lack of fear. That’s great and I’d rather them do that and lose than be afraid,’ Ricken explained.

‘I was really proud of them from that point of view. Maurice (Moore) and Billy (O’Connor) have put in great work with them too. Great credit to Kerry as well. It was a fantastic turnaround in the space of two weeks. It was a great game of football. Around 23 players from either side were out there and they were a huge credit.’

Cork coach Maurice Moore, a Rosscarbery native, was equally elated after the final whistle.

‘Such a courageous performance by our boys. Going into it, after the scores we put up in the previous matches, everybody was saying we were favourites. We knew Kerry would come down here and give absolutely everything and they showed it in the first 15 minutes,’ Moore said.

‘It was 17 minutes before we got a score. That tells you a lot. We did miss chances, but I don’t mind that. They’re taking a risk. They are missing opportunities, but they are putting themselves in places to go for scores. We would never change that.’

The opening quarter saw Kilmeen’s Rory Twohig produce two fine saves to prevent Kerry from extending their advantage before Urhan’s Kieran O’Shea finally opened Cork’s account after 17 minutes.

A Twohig two-point free, along with scores from Éanna Lynch and Conrad Murphy, ensured the sides went in level at 0-5 apiece at half-time.

Barryroe's Conrad Murphy in action for Cork against Kerry. (Photo: George Hatchell)

Daragh Keane edged Kerry back in front with a two-pointer on 33 minutes, but Cork gradually began to turn the screw.

Ben Hegarty came close to a goal only to see his effort tipped over before Barry struck for the game’s only major to push Cork 1-6 to 0-7 ahead.

Kerry responded with a scoring burst, despite Cork continuing to create chances, and led 0-11 to 1-6 entering the closing ten minutes. The Rebels refused to yield, however, as Hegarty, Donal Herlihy and Tom Whooley combined to force extra time.

Ricken’s side hit five wides during the opening period of extra time but still found a way over the line as Twohig and Barryroe’s Riley O’Donovan converted crucial late scores.

Scorers

Cork: Rory Twohig 0-4 (2f, 1 2ptf); Ben Hegarty 0-3 (1f); Jacob Barry 1-0; Kieran O’Shea, Éanna Lynch, Conrad Murphy, Tom Whooley, Donal Herlihy, Riley O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Kerry: Daragh Keane 0-6 (2f, 2 2ptf); Fionn O’Dowd 0-3 (1f); Lúc MacGearailt, Danny Lane, Cian Stack, Cillian Moynihan, Timmy Kenneally 0-1 each.

Cork: Rory Twohig (Kilmeen); Riain McCormack (Midleton); Gabriel Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), Conor Garvey (St Finbarr’s); Darragh O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), Conor Downing (Adrigole), Éanna Lynch (Ballincollig); Kieran O’Shea (Urhan), Conrad Murphy (Barryroe); Eoghan Ahern (Carrigaline), Ben Hegarty (Ballinora), Joe Miskella (captain, Ballincollig); Tom Whooley (Clonakilty), Jacob Barry (Aghinagh), Alex O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: Peadar Kelly (Naomh Aban) for C Garvey, Donal Herlihy (Shamrocks) for A O’Herlihy (both ht); Morgan Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for D O’Sullivan (40); Riley O’Donovan (Barryroe) for J Barry (49); Donnacha O’Mahony (Newcestown) for J Miskella (53); Joe Miskella for C Downing (77); Micheál Walsh (Bride Rovers) for T Whooley, Mark Power (Charleville) for E Lynch (both 79).

Kerry: Seán Sargent; Eoin Mangan, John Breen, Conor Clifford; Danny Murphy (captain), Cian Stack, Mikey Corridon; Maidhc Ó Sé, Jack Collins; Lúc MacGearailt, Daragh Keane, Daithí Laide; Danny Lane, Fionn O’Dowd, Cillian O’Donoghue.

Subs: Mikey Sommers for J Collins (40); Tom Slattery for C O’Donoghue (42); Cillian Moynihan for D Lane (52); Cillian Fitzgerald for D Laide (55); Sam Scroope for L MacGearailt (64); Danny Lane for D Keane, Timmy Kenneally for M Ó Sé (both ht-et)

Referee: Gary Twomey (Clare).