Kerry's class too much for Cork in Munster SFC replay

Kerry's class told as they defeated Cork by 1-11 to 1-6 in the Munster SFC final replay in a soaking Fitzgerald Stadium.

The Kingdom may have capitalised on good fortune in the drawn final but they made all their own luck on a miserable night for Cork. 

The introduction of Colm Copper ten minutes into the second half redoubled Kerry's attack which was already being admirably led by the brilliant James O'Donoghue.

However, with Cork very much in touch, Cooper unpicked the Rebels' defence with a quick free that eventually fell to Paul Geaney who struck past Michael Shields to goal.

That little bit of magic pushed Kerry clear. It was a tactically astute move by Eamonn Fitzmaurice, who hauled Kieran Donaghy ashore in an effort to change the nature of the Kingdom's attack.

It worked. That green flag drew a white flag response for Cork who failed to score from then to the finish.

That in itself that was surprising because just like the drawn game, Cork opened with great energy. 

Bryan Sheehan was dictating play, targeting Donaghy from distance and kicking huge frees, but Colm O'Neill looked just as capable when in possession down the far end as Cork scrapped for everything.

Ultimately his star would fade but not before he combined with Paul Kerrigan, who scored a stunning goal for Cork to level the game after 33 minutes. 

Cork nearly goaled again in the next play when Brendan Kealy palmed Stephen Cronin's effort onto the post, but the plays from here to the break exposed Cork's fallibility.

This was most evident when Michael Shields made much of a harmless Kerry challenge and if anything Cork appeared to lose focus just when they enjoyed the impetus.

The Kingdom led by a point at the break but the sides were deadlocked again after O'Neill made good on a diagonal ball to point and then Kevin O'Driscoll hit a wonderful effort from distance.

Despite the soaking conditions the game was very much in the fire. Enter Cooper to stoke the flames already burning under the influence of O'Donoghue.

Kerry: B Kealy; M Ó Sé, A O’Mahony, S Enright; J Lyne (0-1), K Young, P Murphy; D Moran, A Maher; J Buckley, B Sheehan (0-5, 5f), D Walsh (0-1); P Geaney (1-3, 1f), K Donaghy, J O’Donoghue (0-1).

Subs: M Geaney for Buckley (30), C Cooper for Donaghy (45), S O’Brien for Sheehan (58), P Galvin for Walsh (66).

Cork: K O’Halloran; M Shields, J O'Sullivan, J Loughrey; Barry O’Driscoll (0-1), Brian O’Driscoll, S Cronin; A O’Connor, P Gould; P Kerrigan (1-0), D O’Connor (0-1), K O’Driscoll (0-1); C O’Neill (0-3, 2f), M Collins, B Hurley.

Subs: F Goold for D O’Connor (47), D Goulding for Kelly (55), J Hayes for Hurley (67).

Ref: Maurice Deegan (Laois).