IT’S hard to believe this is Cork’s first Munster senior football final since 2021, but they now have the chance to topple All-Ireland champions Kerry when the sides meet on Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

Kerry remain one of the top teams in the country, but with Cork making significant strides this season – most notably their return to Division 1 – John Cleary’s side will view this as a real opportunity to take the next step in their development.

The Rebels, without a Munster SFC title since 2021, have beaten Kerry just once in championship football since 2013. Their last Munster final victory over their neighbours came in 2008, while their most recent competitive win in Killarney dates back to 1995.

However, Cork arrive in form, having won eight of their ten games across league and championship this year. A winning habit has been built – now the question is whether they can deliver their best performance of the season when it matters most.

‘They’ve checked one box by getting promoted from Division 2. Winning Munster is the next natural progression,’ former Cork footballer Daniel Goulding told The Southern Star.

‘There’s no doubt beating Kerry in the Munster championship is needed. It’s been far too long. I don’t think it will define their season if they lose, but it’s very important to beat Kerry in Munster.’

Daniel O'Mahony lifted the McGrath Cup after victory over Kerry in Killarney back in January.

While only a pre-season competition, Cork’s win over Kerry in January’s McGrath Cup final offered a timely psychological boost.

That victory in Killarney was particularly significant given their long struggles at Fitzgerald Stadium. Twelve of the Cork players who started that day featured again in last Saturday’s win over Tipperary.

Kerry’s line-up for their 2-19 to 1-14 victory over Clare also showed continuity, with nine of those involved in the McGrath Cup starting again. Key figures Shane Ryan, Joe O’Connor and Seán O’Shea – all absent through injury in that Clare clash – also started in the McGrath Cup final.

David Clifford also featured that day but was held scoreless from play – a reminder that Cork can limit even the game’s most dangerous forwards.

There have already been shocks elsewhere in this year’s championship, offering further encouragement. Westmeath’s win over Meath, Down’s victory against Donegal and Roscommon’s defeat of Mayo all underlined what belief and execution can achieve.

Cork can take confidence from that, as well as from their own display against Kerry in last year’s Munster semi-final, when they showed they are capable of matching their great rivals.

Promotion has been secured and questions around consistency have largely been answered. Now attention turns to the next step: ending a 14-year wait for a Munster title – and finally getting the better of Kerry when it matters most.