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Gavin O’Connor watched Kerry win three in a row Munster Junior football titles at Austin Stack Park last night…
Kerry junior captain, Paul O’Donoghue, lifts the Munster Cup. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kerry 0-14
Cork 0-13
THEY were made sweat a little, but a one point victory over Cork was enough to ensure three-in-a-row Munster Juinor titles for Kerry at Austin Stack Park on Wednesday night.
The All-Ireland champions were in cruise control going in at half-time 0-10 to 0-6, but they were met with a resurgent Rebels in the second-half who pulled it to within a point in the final minute of the game.
With an emphasis on youth, Stephen Wallace, didn’t have the services of any player from last year’s successful campaign.
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Standout performers for the Kingdom were Adrian Spillane in midfield, Jason Foley – who looks a real prospect at full-back – and Paul O’Donoghue who kicked a few long range frees, some reminiscent of fellow clubman Bryan Sheehan.
Tralee area players, Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil), Michael O’Donnell (Austin Stacks) and Kieran Hurley (St Pats), Lawrence Bastible (John Mitchels) all gave good accounts of themselves.
Stacks player, Michael O’Donnell, is eligible to play for the side because he did not play any club or county championship game in 2015.
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Kerry’s Andrew Barry hassles Cork’s Chris Moynihan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The game was a free flowing affair dotted with some excellent scores from both sides throughout. Playing with the breeze, Cork, were the first to get off the mark thanks to Dave Harrington. Kerry responded and by the 15th minute were 0-6 to 0-3 to the good.
Mark Vaughan for Cork was the one providing the answers for the Rebels as he kept his side in touch with three top drawer first-half scores, which ended 0-10 to 0-6 in favour in Kerry.
Kerry began the second half with another free from Paul O’Donoghue to push the lead out to five, but Cork were beginning to get on top around the middle where Templenoe’s Adrian Spillane had been so dominant.
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Manager Stephen Wallace from Ardfert congratulates players and backroom staff after the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean.
A point for Cork from substitute, Eoghan Buckley, who made a big impression and two from that man Vaughan who would finish with a tally of 0-6, all from play, kept them close.
In the remaining 15 minutes, Kerry weathered the storm, crucially not allowing Cork draw level and were not giving the Kerry full-forward line a sniff.
A pointed free on 60 minutes by Mark Sugrue would be the closest the Rebels came as time ran out for them and Kerry made it over the line.
Kerry will play Warwickshire in the next round of the competition, which could act as a shop window for Eamon Fitzmaurice should new recruits be needed in the Kerry senior panel.
Brendan O’Sullivan made a big impression at junior level last year, forcing himself into the Kerry senior panel and into contention for a starting spot. So the pathway from Junior to Senior does appear to be there.
More action photos below…
The victorious Kerry Junior panel celebrate defeat of Cork in the Minster Junior Football Final. Photo by Dermot Crean.
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Scorers
Kerry: P O’Donoghue (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 ‘45), A Spillane and S M O’Conchuir (0-2), K Hurley, N O Shea and P Clifford
Cork: M Vaughan (0-6), M Sugrue (0-3, 0-2 frees), E Buckley 0-3, K O’Hanlon 0-1
Kerry
1. Darragh O’Shea (Ballydonoghue)
2. Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Cathal Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht)
5. Patrick Clifford (Templenoe)
6. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)
7. Laurence Bastible (John Mitchels)
8. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)
9. Michael O’Donnell (Austin Stacks)
10. Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue)
11. Paul O’Donoghue (captain, St Marys)
12. David Foran (St Senans)
13. Sean Michéal Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht)
14. Kieran Hurley (St Pats)
15. Niall O’Shea (Dromid Pearses)
Substitutes
F Clifford (Waterville) for Brosnan (40 mins)
L O’Donoghue for Clifford (46)
K O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for O’Donnell (48)
R Wharton (Renard) for Foran (51)
S O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for Hurley (54)
A Barry (Brosna) for S O’Sullivan (62)
Cork
1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)
2. Diarmuid Colfer (Glanworth)
3. Peter Murphy (Bandon)
4. John Mullins (Éire Óg)
5. David O’Neill (Mayfield)
6. Bart Daly (Newmarket)
7. Kieran Histon (Cobh)
8. John Corkery (Boherbue)
9. Cillian Brosnan (Brian Dillons)
10. Michael Vaughan (Millstreet)
11. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)
12. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)
13. Mark Sugrue (Bandon)
14. Gerry O’Connor (Boherbue)
15. David Harrington (Adrigole)
Substitutes
E Buckley (St Michael’s) for Harrington (6 mins, inj)
C Moynihan (Gabriel Rangers) for Corkery (24)
TJ Brosnan (Newmarket) for O’Neill (HT)
P Condon (Mayfield) for O’Connor (48)
S O’Leary (Bantry Blues) for C Brosnan (52)
N McCarthy (Kinsale) for Murphy (57, inj).
Referee: David Grogan (Tipperary)
Kieran Hurley bears down on Cork’s Bart Daly. Photo by Dermot Crean.
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Kerry’s David Foran on the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kerry’s Adrian Spillane and Cork’s Killian O’Hanlon contest a ball around the middle. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Andrew Barry takes on Cork’s Kieran Histon. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Sean Micheal O Conchúir has a goal chance repelled in the second half. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Adrian Spillane leans in on Cork’s Diarmuid Colfer. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kerry’s Niall O’Shea attempts to grab the ball away from Cork’s Diarmuid Colfer. Photo by Dermot Crean.
A job well done, Kevin O’Sullivan and Adrian Spillane congratulate one another at the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean.
