Cork 3-18

Kerry 1-14

WAS this a statement of intent by Keith Ricken’s Cork minor footballers?

The Rebels secured their first win over Kerry at this level in three years, and did so on their rivals’ home turf in Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

The result confirmed Cork’s place in the Munster final on Monday, May 18th against either Kerry or Clare.

The young Rebels sealed their final spot with a game to spare in the provincial round-robin and are at home to Waterford on Monday, May 11th in Páirc Uí Rinn.

West Cork natives Riley O’Donovan (Barryroe) and Carbery Rangers’ Luke O’Neill fired second-half goals to put a gloss on the scoreline, while Kilmeen’s Rory Twohig added a two-point free.

Beara duo Conor Downing (Adrigole) and Urhan’s Kieran O’Shea also delivered big performances around the middle.

It’s worth noting the Leesiders were without fellow Carbery men Conrad Murphy (Barryroe) and Tom Whooley (Clonakilty), their top scorer in the opening win over Clare, due to injury, so there are more options to come back into the mix.

Cork led 1-10 to 0-4 at the break, with an Eoghan Ahern goal putting clear daylight between the sides.

Manager Keith Ricken was pleased with the display, particularly with how his team went about their attacking play.

‘We had a good first half. We were moving off the shoulder and always looking for the ball. That was the key to it – that they wanted the ball and weren’t hoping it wouldn’t come near them. They all love being on the ball. Even the subs who came on were looking for it. Those lads will be looking for a game the next day,’ he explained.

‘There was a bit of a breeze in the first half. It was difficult enough to score into but we made it look effortless. We were sheep in a heap a couple of times but overall I was happy with it.

‘The lads played well and applied themselves well. We got a couple of lucky breaks but overall I was happy. In the third quarter we dropped our level but that’s to be expected when you’re doing well. They finished well and it was lovely to come down and get a victory in Tralee.’

Scorers 

Cork: Ben Hegarty 0-6 (5f); Riley O’Donovan 1-3; Eoghan Ahern 1-2 (2f); Alex O’Herlihy 0-3; Luke O’Neill 1-0; Kieran O’Shea, Rory Twohig (2ptf) 0-2 each.

Kerry: D Keane 0-7 (2f, 1 2pt); D Laide 1-1; D Lane 0-3 (1f); L MacGearailt, D Murphy, C Moynihan 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), Eanna Lynch (Ballincollig); Kieran O’Shea (Urhan), Peadar Kelly (Naomh Abán); Eoghan Ahern (Carrigaline), Ben Hegarty (Ballinora), Joe Miskella (captain, Ballincollig); Alex O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s), Jacob Barry (Aghinagh), Donal Herlihy (Shamrocks).

Subs: Riley O’Donovan (Barryroe) for J Barry (42), Luke O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for D Herlihy, Pol O’Connor (Lisgoold) for R McCormack (both 50), Morgan Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for J Miskella (51), Mark Power (Charleville) for C Garvey (58).

Kerry: C O’Donnell; E Mangan, J Breen, C Clifford; D Murphy (captain), S Clifford, M Corridon; M Ó Sé, T Slattery; L MacGearailt, D Keane, J Collins; D Lane, O Buckley, S Scroope.

Subs: J Ziober for C Clifford (11-14, temp), C Moynihan for S Scroope, D Laide for O Buckley (both ht), T Lenihan for T Slattery (45), P O’Sullivan for M Corridon (51), T Kenneally for J Collins (55).

Referee: Eoin Keane (Clare).