Paul Geaney and Kieran Donaghy celebrate Fionn Fitzgerald’s injury time equaliser. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry 2-15
Cork 3-12
BACK again in two weeks then, but only just!
Fionn Fitzgerald proved the hero with an incredible equaliser to rescue a Kerry team who will be relieved to get out of jail after a rusty performance.
Cork looked utterly dejected at the final whistle and no wonder. They won the vital midfield battle for most of the day and their forwards breached the Kerry defence three times for goals which will have the Kerry management worried.
Continued below…
Paul Geaney and Donnchadh Walsh look devastated as the Dingle man saw his goal chance cleared for a 45. Photo by Dermot Crean
It was heart-stopping, entertaining stuff for the fans who will be back in Killarney their tens of thousands on Saturday, July 18 for the replay.
Although the Rebels started the game the brighter – with Colm O’Neill punching in their first goal on nine minutes – Kerry soon were in the ascendency with Donaghy goaling thanks to Johnny Buckley stealing the ball from a Cork defender.
Kieran Donaghy looks to the crowd after scoring Kerry’s first goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bryan Sheehan was in top form too and his place kicking ensured Kerry went in 1-9 to 1-5 up at the short whistle.
But Cork were full of energy in the second half and caused the Kerry backs no end of problems as they ran at them and picked off fine scores with Donncha O’Connor’s goal after just three minutes a catalyst for their domination.
But on 53 minutes and with the scores 2-11 to 1-11 in Cork’s favour, Kerry were awarded a penalty which incensed the Cork defenders.
The ball hits the back of the net as James O’Donoghue scores his penalty. BELOW: James turns and celebrates. Photos by Dermot Crean
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James O’Donoghue coolly slotted it home and the feeling was Kerry might kick on from there. But Cork wing back Barry O’Driscoll had other ideas and his goal on 63 minutes swung momentum back in their favour.
Barry O’Driscoll (No.5) scores Cork’s third goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
3-12 to 2-14 the scores shouts of Rebels Rebels rang out all over the stadium as the Cork fans really sensed they about to bridge a 20 year gap since their last win in Killarney.
But local hero, Fionn Fitzgerald came up with a peach from distance in the 72nd minute to leave Killarney business people smiling with another bonanza weekend on the way.
We’ll have analysis, fan photos, Barry Ó Sé’s thoughts on the game and much more tomorrow.
Kerry team line up behind the band before yesterday’s game. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY: B Kealy; F Fitzgerald (0-1), S Enright, M Ó Sé; K Young, P Crowley, J Lyne; D Moran, B Sheehan (0-4, 3 frees); S O’Brien, J Buckley (0-1), D Walsh (0-1); BJ Keane (0-3, 1 free), K Donaghy (1-0), J O’Donoghue (1-2, 1-0 pen).
Subs: C Cooper (0-1) for S O’Brien (43 min) A Maher (0-1) for D Moran (black) (43 min); D O’Sullivan for J Buckley (48min ); P Geaney (0-1) for BJ Keane (51min); J Sherwood for B Sheehan (61min); P Murphy for P Crowley (65min)
CORK: K O’Halloran; J Loughrey, E Cadogan, S Cronin; Brian O’Driscoll, M Shields, Barry O’Driscoll (1-1); A O’Connor, K O’Driscoll (0-2); P Kerrigan, M Collins, F Goold; C O’Neill (1-6, 0-4 frees), D O’Connor (1-3, 0-2 frees), B Hurley.
Subs for Cork: P Kelly for A O’Connor (blood); P Kelly for P Kerrigan (black card, 23min); C Dorman for S Cronin (59min); R Deane for F Goold (61min); D Goulding for D O’Connor (62min); C O’Driscoll for B Hurley (67min); J O’Sullivan for C O’Driscoll (black, 72min).
