[ad_1]
Four unanswered points in the second overtime period sent Kerry to Munster MFC’s ninth straight final after this dramatic semifinal against Cork.
Level 1-14 to 0-17 in the quick change of ends, Kerry took the decisive break when Jordan Kissane and reserve Darragh O’Sullivan (three free) kicked four without response to open a gap that Cork did not have time to bridge.
Kerry’s latest minor championship win over Cork extends his winning streak over his neighbors at this level dating back to 2013.
Cork substitute Aaron Sheehy’s point in the fifth minute of second-half injury time meant overtime was required, second-half replacement, and the son of RTÉ journalist Paschal Sheehy, stood his ground after his alternate teammate Ciarán McCarthy decided not to aim. with a free from inside the 45-meter line.
Sheehy’s score was Cork’s first in nearly a quarter of an hour, a period during which Kerry’s corner forward Cian McMahon threw more than five unanswered points (four free) to push the hosts to the front, 0-15 to 1-11, four minutes later stoppages in the second half. Bobbie O’Dwyer’s team kicked 1-1 in the minutes before Kerry momentarily took the lead.
Cork’s lead in the three-point interval was still intact from the second water break (1-10 to 0-10), Kerry was left scratching his head as the gap had not closed one iota after a third quarter dominated by the young troops of James Costello. .
Cork was sustained by Conor Hanlon’s goal in the 35th minute, the Buttevant teenager providing a serene finish after a fine play set up by Richard O’Sullivan and Colin Walsh.
Kerry nullified the green flag with three unanswered white flags from Cian McMahon, Oisín Maunsell, and a mark from understudy Darragh O’Sullivan, but Kingdom’s efforts to regain parity were thwarted time and again as Keith Evans and understudy Cillian Burke had goal shots blocked by last minute interventions from a red shirt.
Cork lived up to its interval lead from 0-9 to 0-6. In fact, if it hadn’t been for one or two avoidable turnovers that ended in Kerry’s free touchdowns, Tralee’s visitors might have enjoyed a greater advantage in turning for the second period.
It was a really lively opening half an hour from Bobbie O’Dwyer’s charges, his busy and direct approach complemented by a series of brilliantly taken long-range points.
Ruairí Burns had Kerry off the mark at 67 seconds, but the Kingdom would not score again from the game until the 18th minute. Cian McMahon could have scored a goal during this period, Cork goalkeeper Callum Dungan proved to be at the height of the shot. Dungan was also on the lookout for capsizing a free-diving William Shine.
Four in a row of Sean Brady, Conor Hanlon (two free) and Hugh O’Connor, on either side of a pair of Kerry free kicks, propelled Cork to a 0-5 to 0-3 lead in the first water break . Brady and O’Connor’s respective kicks came straight out of the top drawer.
Cork stretched its lead after the resumption of play, double-player Colin Walsh, who participated in Cork’s minor pitchers at the weekend, scored three points between the 18th and 21st minutes.
His third, after a long reach to claim a mark, gave Cork a 0-8 to 0-4 double-scoring lead. The final stages, however, belonged more to Kerry. A pair of free hits by Burns reduced the gap to two before Walsh took his count to four when he punched over a looped pass into Kerry’s danger area.
There was still a long way to go in this semi-final, but as has been the case at this level since 2014, it was Kerry who outscored her neighbors.
C McMahon (0-7, 0-4 free); D O’Sullivan (0-5, 0-4 free, 0-1 mark); W Brightness (0-3, 0-2 free), R Burns (0-3, 0-2 free); Or Maunsell, T O’Donnell, J Kissane (0-1 each).
C Hanlon (1-5, 0-4 free); C Walsh (mark 0-6, 0-1); S Brady, C McCarthy (0-1 free), H O’Connor, A Sheehy (0-1 each).
S Broderick (John Mitchels); C O’Donoghue (St Mary’s), J Nagle (Austin Stacks), D O’Callaghan (Kilcummin); O Maunsell (Na Gaeil), A Heinrich (Austin Stacks), P O’Leary (Gneeveguilla); C Horan (Austin Stacks); C Ó Conaill (Castlegregory); K Evans (Keel), A O’Shea (Listry), T O’Donnell (Castlegregory); W Shine (Legion), R Burns (Sneeze), C McMahon (Dr. Crokes).
C Burke (Milltown / Castlemaine) for Horan (HT); D O’Sullivan (Churchill) by O’Shea (39); M O’Connell (Castlegregory) by Burns (45); J Kissane (Austin Stacks) for Shine (50); J McElligott (Listowel Emmets) for O’Leary (52); D Flemming (Legion) for M O’Connell (82)
C Dungan (Carrigaline); F Walsh (Argideen Rangers), T Walsh (Kanturk), D Murray (Glanmire); R O’Sullivan (Newcestown), L McCarthy (Castlehaven), S Brady (Ballygarvan); E Nash (Douglas), S Kingston (Ballinora); F Finner (Castletownbere), C Walsh (Kanturk), L O’Connell (Ballincollig); H O’Connor (Newmarket), C Hanlon (Buttevant), S Walsh (Argideen Rangers).
To Sheehy (Douglas) for Walsh (39); T Cronin (St Colum’s) for O’Connor (49); J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers) by O’Sullivan (52); C McCarthy (Valley Rovers) for Hanlon (55); S Dore (Ballincollig) of Kingston (57); R Barrow (Ballinora) by Murray (60); S Hanlon (Buttevant) for Finner (69); S O’Callaghan (Liscarroll / Churchtown Gael) by Brady (70); R O’Sullivan (Newcestown) for Cronin (74).
C Maguire (Clare).
[ad_2]