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All-Ireland SFC Final – Cork v Kerry

September 20, 2009 @ 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Kerry overcame a poor start to thoroughly outplay Cork and claim their sixth GAA All-Ireland Football title this decade.

Kingdom crush Rebels’ dreams

From the GAA.ie web site

Sep 20, 2009

Kerry established a four-point lead with ten minutes left on the clock and absorbed everything Cork had to throw at them in a strangely subdued ending to the game. It had all looked so promising for Conor Counihan’s Rebels, who led by six points – 1-3 to 0-1 – after just 11 minutes. However, the tactics that have served Counihan so well were easily countered by Kerry boss Jack O’Connor and Cork were made to look distinctly ordinary after a season where they emerged as genuine contenders at the top table. Kerry played with 12 men in defence for much of the game and Cork’s forwards seemed to bounce off a green and gold defensive wall continually. The ploy of choking up the middle third paid off handsomely for O’Connor, as many of Cork’s key players in their Championship run, were anonymous on the afternoon.

Cork’s problems were abundantly obvious and their return of just six point in the final 60 minutes of the game was never going to be enough. It was a redemptive afternoon for the Kingdom, who endured a tortuous summer both on and off the field. If Cork were undone by Kerry’s lightning start in the 2007 final, it was the Rebels that got off to a flyer this time. They were 1-3 to 0-1 ahead inside 11 minutes. Cork’s goal came from a stray Nicholas Murphy pass – intended, it seemed, for Daniel Goulding – which ended bounced perfectly into Colm O’Neill’s hands. The Ballyclough clubman turned Tommy Griffin and crashed a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Kerry: D Murphy; M O Se, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan; T O Se (0-2), M McCarthy, K Young; D O Sé, S Scanlon; P Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan (0-1), T Kennelly (0-2); C Cooper (0-6, 0-6f), T Walsh (0-4), Darran O’Sullivan (0-1).

Subs: D Walsh for T Kennelly ’51, A Quirke for D O Se ‘57, K Donagahy for Darran O’ Sullivan ’57, D Moran for T Walsh ’67, A O’Mahony for K Young ’70.

Cork: A Quirke; K O’Connor, M Shields, A Lynch; J Miskella, G Canty, N O’Leary;n A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O’Neill, P Kelly (0-1); D Goulding (0-4, 0-2f), C O’Neill (1-1), D O’Connor (0-3, 0-3f).

Subs: D Kavanagh for A Lynch ’58, J Masters for D Goulding ’63, M Cussen for A O’Connor

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Kingdom use their know-how to squeeze life out of Rebels

By MARTIN BREHENY from the Irish Independent newspaper

Monday September 21 2009

CORK know how to reach All-Ireland finals but Kerry know how to win them. Therein lay the crucial difference between the sides yesterday as a game that appeared to offer Cork a real chance of finally beating Kerry in Croke Park returned to a familiar pattern for Conor Counihan’s crew as they ran aground on the jagged rocks which appeared all over the field. Kerry outscored their sinking rivals by 0-15 to 0-6 from the 11th minute on, leaving Cork to confront the sorrowful mystery of how they could play with such vitality in the opening minutes only to have the life squeezed from their challenge for the rest of the game. It looked in those hectic opening minutes as if Cork would indeed live up to their ranking as the most improved team in the country who had finally worked out how to win an All-Ireland final. Instead, it was no more than a mirage which faded quickly once Kerry secured the defensive bolts and set about applying consistent pressure to a Cork defence which had looked so sturdy all summer. The big difference this time was that Cork’s vaunted half-back line of Noel O’Leary, Graham Canty and John Miskella, who had dominated previous opposition with their stampeding runs, now found themselves having to think a whole lot more about their defensive duties. With that trio facing their own problems, Cork were unable to generate the same levels of momentum which took them to the final.

They did well enough at times around midfield but after that early bout of enterprise the attack were decommissioned as a Kerry defence, splendidly led by Tom O’Sullivan and Tomas O Se, herded them into a cul-de-sac before robbing them of their initiative. The end result was that Cork managed just 1-4 from play on a gloriously pleasant afternoon which invited players to showcase their talents. Cork should have done a whole lot better but as their confidence levels sagged in the second half, their shooting disintegrated into an embarrassing mess. They kicked 10 wides in the second half while Kerry missed the target only twice in a period which yielded a disappointingly low 0-8. The Kerry defence had a major input into Cork’s inaccuracy as the forwards found themselves under the severest of pressure as they lined up their shots.

For all that, it took a smart save by Diarmuid Murphy to deny Cork a goal in the 48th minute after Daniel Goulding darted in along the endline. The angle was tight but Goulding got his shot away only to have it blocked by Murphy’s imposing figure. A let-off for Kerry but it showed Cork that while they were four points adrift there was still hope of a recovery. The next eight minutes yielded three Cork points to pare the gap to one but it was as close as they got. Digging deep into their reserves of experience and fortitude, Kerry’s response to the latest threat was to kick three points in two minutes with Tommy Walsh landing two while O Se booted over a third to leave it 0-16 to 1-9 after 59 minutes.

Remarkably, there were no further scores as Kerry funnelled back, inviting Cork onto them. By now, Cork had run out of ideas as to how they might unhinge the Kerry defence. Indeed, it was painful for their supporters as they watched the attacks crabbing across the field while making very little forward movement. With a four-point working majority, Kerry were happy to play down the clock which they did to perfection to land their 36th All-Ireland crown. Cork’s review of yesterday’s game will be a painful process.

They couldn’t have hoped for a better start as they bounded into a five-point lead (1-3 to 0-1) after 11 minutes while looking very much like a side that had taken their Munster dominance over Kerry to Croke Park. Full-forward Colm O’Neill scored the goal in the 11th minute after being played in by a precision delivery by Nicholas Murphy. Kerry full-back, Tommy Griffin, whose game expanded into a tour de force from there on, slipped as he chased O’Neill, presenting the Corkman with a glorious opportunity which he availed off with a crisp drive past Murphy. Suddenly, Kerry found themselves facing a real challenge and while they would never admit it now, they must have had fears that it would turn out like the Munster semi-final replay which Cork won by eight points. However, a free by Colm Cooper began the recovery process in the 13th minute and by half-time Kerry were two points clear (0-11 to 1-6), having out-scored Cork by 0-10 to 0-3 after O’Neill’s goal. Tadhg Kennelly, Walsh and Declan O’Sullivan had been especially effective in Kerry’s revival, raising questions of the Cork defence which they hadn’t encountered all season.

Kerry won the second half by 0-5 to 0-3 which was heartbreaking for Cork, who enjoyed lots of possession but failed to exploit it due a combination of poor shooting, wrong decision-making and vigilant Kerry defending. For some strange reason, Cork played a very narrow attacking game, resulting in severe traffic problems down the middle while the wings went largely unpopulated. That suited Kerry’s dogged defenders who were happy to scrap away, secure in the knowledge that they had the measure of the Cork attackers. O’Neill’s early burst of productivity was impressive but he got nothing off Griffin from there on. Corner-forwards, Goulding and Donncha O’Connor also had a barren outing as did the half-forward trio. Paul Kerrigan and Patrick Kelly had been highly effective wing men throughout the season but were well beaten this time while Pearse O’Neill was unable to inflict himself on the opposition with anything like the same authority of previous games.

All that is a tribute to the Kerry defence which were brilliantly effective on their third visit to Croke Park since early August. They conceded 1-7 to both Dublin and Meath and 0-9 yesterday which shows just how much they have improved since being hit for 1-17 by Cork last June. Mike McCarthy’s return was certainly a positive factor but the others raised their game too. Griffin settled in well at full-back; Tom O’Sullivan regained his best form while the O Se brothers increased their level of influence too. In addition to carrying out his defensive duties so well yesterday, Tomas also galloped forward to kick two crucial points. John Miskella had scored 0-9 from wing-back going into yesterday’s game but got few opportunities to go forward yesterday. Neither did Canty nor O’Leary, both of whom were pre-occupied with defensive duties.

Ray Carey’s absence from the Cork full-back line weakened their resistance as his replacement, Kieran O’Connor struggled against Walsh before being substituted at half-time. Walsh took his high standards into the second half too, as did midfielder Seamus Scanlon, who had an excellent afternoon. Cooper was quieter than usual in open play, although he did win a few frees which he pointed en route to a final tally of 0-6. It says much for the spread of efficiency in the Kerry team that they could beat a highly-rated Cork team without the ‘Gooch’ reaching his optimum level. But then it all comes back to know-how, a commodity which Kerry had in abundance as they ended the GAA’s 125th anniversary season as they did the 75th and 100th — with Sam preparing to settle in for the winter.

Scorers –

Kerry: C Cooper 0-6 (6f), T Walsh 0-4, T O Se, T Kennelly 0-2 each, Declan O’Sullivan, Darran O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Cork: C O’Neill 1-1, D Goulding 0-4 (2f), D O’Connor 0-3 (3f), P Kelly 0-1.

Kerry — D Murphy; M O’Se, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan; T O Se, M McCarthy, K Young; D O Se, S Scanlon; Darran O’Sullivan, T Kennelly, P Galvin; C Cooper, Declan O’Sullivan, T Walsh. Subs: D Walsh for Kennelly (51), M Quirke for D O Se (57), K Donaghy for Darran O’Sullivan (57), D Moran for T Walsh (68), A O’Mahony for Young (71).

Cork — A Quirke; K O’Connor, M Shields, A Lynch; N O’Leary, G Canty, J Miskella; A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly, P O’Neill, P Kerrigan; D Goulding, C O’Neill, D O’Connor. Subs: E Cadogan for K O’Connor (h-t), F Goold for Kerrigan (49), D Kavanagh for Lynch (58), J Masters for Goulding (63), M Cussen for A O’Connor (66)

Ref — M Duffy (Sligo)

KERRY CLAIM 36th ALL-IRELAND TITLE IN GAA’S 125 YEAR

Kerry won the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior title in the 75th and 100th anniversary years of the Association and they reached another important milestone on Sunday when they also took the crown in the GAA’s 125th year. They achieved with it a four-point win (0-16 to 1-9) win over Munster champions, Cork and, in the process, won the Sam Maguire Cup for the 5th time this decade. Only twice before (1930s and 1980s) did Kerry win five titles in a decade so it crowned another outstanding ten year campaign by the Kingdom.

2009 – GAA Football Senior Championship

All-Ireland champions – Kerry

Runners-up – Cork

Connacht champions – Mayo

Leinster champions – Dublin

Munster champions – Cork

Ulster champions – Tyrone

***

Games: 62

Biggest win: 27 pts: Dublin 4-26 Westmeath 0-11 (Leinster semi-final) Biggest score: 4-26: Dublin (v Westmeath – Leinster semi-final) Top scorers: Michael Murphy (Donegal) 0-36 points; Cian Ward (Meath) 3-26; Donncha O’Connor (Cork) 3-25.

Lowest score: 0-7 Derry (v Tyrone); Roscommon (v Mayo); Laois (v Down).

Draws: 4 – Cork v Kerry (Munster semi-final); Wicklow v Westmeath (went to extra-time – Leinster quarter-final); Roscommon v Wexford (2nd round qualifier); Donegal v Derry (went to extra-time – 3rd round qualifier) One point wins: 12: Cavan 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9; Mayo 2-12 Galway 1-14; Cork 2-6 Limerick 0-11; Monaghan 0-13 Armagh 0-12; Tipperary v Louth; Wexford 2-11 Offaly 0-16; Sligo 1-

13 Tipperary 1-12; Wicklow 1-15 Down 0-17; Kerry 0-14 Sligo 1-10; Donegal 2-13 Derry 0-

18 (after extra-time); Donegal 0-14 Galway 0-13; Meath 1-13 Limerick 2-9.

GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR ROLL OF HONOUR

Kerry’s last All-Ireland triumph means that they have won almost as many titles as their three closest pursuers put together. Kerry are on 36, followed by Dublin on 22, Galway on 9 and Meath on 7. Nineteen counties have won the All-Ireland senior football title leaving the following still chasing their first crown: Antrim, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Clare, Waterford, Carlow, Laois, Longford, Westmeath, Wicklow, Kilkenny.

36 – Kerry (1903-04-09-13-14-24-26-29-30-31-32-37-39-40-41-46-53-55-59-62-69-70-75-78-79-80-81-84-85-86-97-2000-2004-2006-2007-2009)

22 – Dublin (1891-92-97-98-99-1901-02-06-07-08-21-22-23-42-58-63-74-76-77-83-95)

9 – Galway (1925-34-38-56-64-65-66-98-2001)

7 – Meath (1949-54-67-87-88-96-99)

6 – Cork (1890-1911-45-73-89-90)

5 – Down (1960-61-68-91-94)

5 – Cavan (1933-35-47-48-52)

5 – Wexford (1893-1915-16-17-18)

4 – Kildare (1905-19-27-28)

4- Tipperary (1889-95-1900-1920)

3 – Louth (1910-12-57)

3 – Mayo (1936-50-51)

3 – Offaly (1971-72-82)

3- Tyrone (2003-2005-2008)

2 – Limerick (1887-1896)

2 – Roscommon (1943-44)

1 – Armagh (2002)

1 – Derry (1993)

1 – Donegal (1992)

Team News

Cork (SF v Kerry): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; N O’Leary, G Canty (capt), J Miskella; A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kerrigan, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C O’Neill, D O’Connor

Kerry (SF v Cork): (1) Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle) (2) Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) (3) Tommy Griffin (Dingle) (4) Tom O’Sullivan (Rathmore) (5) Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) (6) Mike McCarthy (Kilcummin) (7) Killian Young (Renard) (8) Darragh Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) (9) Seamus Scanlon (Currow) (10) Paul Galvin (Finuge) (11) Declan O’Sullivan (Piarsaigh Na Dromada ) (12) Tadhg Kennelly (Listowel Emmett’s) (13) Colm Cooper (Dr. Crokes) (14) Tommy Walsh (Kerins O’Rahilly) (15) Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) (Captain)
Subs: Ger Reidy (Castleisland Desmonds) Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore) Donnacha Walsh (Cromane) Bryan Sheehan (St. Mary’s) Micheál Quirke (Kerins O’Rahillys) Paul O’Connor (Kenmare) Padraig Reidy (Scartaglin) David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) Anthony Maher (Duagh) Seán O’Sullivan (Cromane) Daniel Bohan (Austin Stacks) Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) Aidan O’Shea (Glenbeigh/Glencar) Maurice Corridan (Finuge) Barry John Walsh (Kerins O’Rahillys) Kieran Quirke (Duagh) Rónán Ó Flatharta (An Ghaeltacht)

GAA All Ireland Football Final Referees

The GAA have confirmed that Marty Duffy of Sligo has been appointed to referee the GAA All Ireland Senior football championship final between Kerry and Cork at Croke Park on Sunday, September 20th. The Enniscrone/Kilglass man will be taking charge of his first ever All Ireland senior final. M. Duffy has previously refereed a number of Sligo and Connacht Finals and took charge of this years Allianz National Football League Final between Kerry and Derry. He also officiated at the Dublin V Tyrone league meeting on 31st January 2009.

Match Preview

SOUTHERN GIANTS HEAD FOR CROKE PARK SHOWDOWN

Cork and Kerry met for the first time in the senior football championship in 1889 and launched what has become one of the country’s great sporting rivalries. The latest instalment comes in the most important game of the year when they clash in next Sunday’s GAA All-Ireland senior football final in Croke Park (3.30pm).

It will be preceded by the All-Ireland minor football final between Armagh and Mayo (1.15). Both games will be shown ‘live’ on RTE 2.

It will be the third clash between Cork and Kerry this year as Kerry pursue their 36th All-Ireland title – and their fifth this decade – while Cork are seeking their first title since 1990. Remarkably, it will be the 19th championship clash between the counties this decade.

Cork and Kerry clashed in the 2007 All-Ireland final with Kerry winning by 3-13 to 1- 9. It’s the third time since the introduction of the qualifiers that the All-Ireland final has been between counties from the same province as in addition to the two Cork- Kerry deciders in 2007 and 2009, Tyrone beat Armagh in the 2003 final.

Cork are attempting to become the fifth county to win the title this decade, joining Kerry, Tyrone, Armagh and Galway on the honours list.

Paths to the final

Cork

Cork 2-18 Waterford 1-7 (Munster quarter-final) Cork 1-10 Kerry 0-13 (Munster semi-final) Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 Kerry (Replay) Cork 2-6 Limerick 0-11 (Munster final) Cork 1-27 Donegal 2-10 (All-Ireland quarter-final) Cork 1-13 Tyrone 0-11 (All-Ireland semi-final) Played 6, Won 5, Drew 1, Lost 0.

Cork scorers

D O’Connor……….3-22 (0-15 frees, 2-0 pens) D Goulding…………2-16 (0-2 frees) P Kerrigan…………2-8 J Miskella…………..0-9 P O’Neill…………..1-5 C O’Neill……………0-9 (0-1 ‘45’) J Masters………….0-4 P Kelly………………0-4 F Goold…………….0-4 P Kissane………….0-2 P O’Flynn…………0-2 G Canty……………0-2 F Lynch……………0-1 N O’Leary………..0-1 M Shields………….0-1 A O’Connor……..0-1

Kerry

Kerry 0-13 Cork 1-10 (Munster semi-final) Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 (Replay) Kerry 1-12 Longford 0-11 (Qualifiers Round 2) Kerry 0-14 Sligo 1-10 (Qualifiers Round 3) Kerry 2-12 Antrim 1-10 (Qualifiers Round 4) Kerry 1-24 Dublin 1-7 (All-Ireland quarter-final) Kerry 2-8 Meath 1-7 (All-Ireland semi-final) Played 7, Won 5, Drew 1, Lost 1.

Kerry scorers

Colm Cooper………………….1-28 (0-19 frees) Tommy Walsh………………..3-8 Declan O’Sullivan………….0-10 Paul Galvin……………………1-7 Darren O’Sullivan………….1-6 (1-0 pen) Bryan Sheehan……………….0-8 (6 frees) Sean O’Sullivan……………..0-6 (3 frees) Tadhg Kennelly………………0-6 Donncha Walsh………………0-5 Paul O’Connor………………0-4 (3 frees) Darragh O Se…………………0-3 David Moran…………………0-1(‘45’) Tomas O Se……………………0-1 Tom O’Sullivan…………….0-1 Seamus Scanlon…………….0-1

Last clash

Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 (2009 Munster semi-final replay), Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Cork: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, A Lynch; J Miskella (0-2), G Canty, N O’Leary; A O’Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly (0-1), P O’Neill, P Kerrigan (0-1); D Goulding (0-5, 0-2 frees), J Masters (0-1), D O’Connor (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees).

Subs: F Goold (0-1) for Murphy; P O’Flynn (0-1) for Kerrigan; J Hayes for Kelly; F Lynch for A O’Connor.

Kerry: D Murphy; M O Se, T O’Sullivan, P Reidy; T O Se, A O’Mahony, K Young; D O Se (0-1), T Griffin; P Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan (0-1), T Kennelly (0-1); C Cooper 0-4, 0-4 frees), T Walsh, B Sheehan (0-2, 0-1 free).

Subs: Darran O’Sullivan (0-2) for Sheehan; D Moran (0-1, ‘45’) for M O Se; A O’Shea for Reidy; D Walsh for T Walsh, E Brosnan for D O Se.

Cork v Kerry: A Busy Decade

This has been the busiest rivalry of all since the introduction of the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2001. Remarkably, next Sunday’s Munster semi-final will be the 19th meeting between the counties since 2000. They have met in one All-Ireland final, five semi-finals (one replay), six Munster finals (one replay) and six semi-finals (two replays) with the results going as follows: Kerry 10; Cork 4; Draws 4.

They met three times in 2008-2006-2002 and twice in 2007 and 2005. They are again heading for a third clash this year. The last year Kerry and Cork didn’t meet in the championship was in 1997 which makes it by far the most consistent fixture in the entire championship programme.

Cork v Kerry: 18 Championship Clashes (2000-2009)

2009 – Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 (Munster semi-final) Replay

2009 – Cork 1-10 Kerry 0-13 (Munster semi-final)

2008 – Kerry 3-14 Cork 3-13 (All-Ireland semi-final) Replay.

2008 – Kerry 1-13 Cork 3-7 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2008 – Cork 1-16 Kerry 1-11 (Munster final)

2007 – Kerry 3-13 Cork 1-9 (All-Ireland final)

2007 – Kerry 1-15 Cork 1-13 (Munster final)

2006 – Kerry 0-16 Cork 0-10 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2006 – Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-9 (Munster final) Replay

2006 – Cork 0-10 Kerry 0-10 (Munster final)

2005 – Kerry 1-19 Cork 0-9 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2005 – Kerry 1-11 Cork 0-11 (Munster final)

2004 – Kerry 0-15 Cork 0-7 (Munster semi-final)

2002 – Kerry 3-19 Cork 2-7 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2002 – Cork 0-15 Kerry 1-9 (Munster semi-final) Replay)

2002 – Cork 0-8 Kerry 0-8 (Munster semi-final)

2001 – Kerry 0-19 Cork 1-13 (Munster final) 2000 – Kerry 2-15 Cork 1-13 (Munster semi-final) Kerry 10, Cork 4, Draw 4.

ALL-IRELAND SF WINS

Kerry 35 (1903-04-09-13-14-24-26-29-30-31-32-37-39-40-41-46-53-55-59-62-69-70-75-78-79-80-81-84-85-86-97-2000-2004-2006-2007)

Cork 6 (1890-1911-45-73-89-90)

ALL-IRELAND FINAL DEFEATS

Kerry: 18 (1892-1905-15-23-27-38-44-47-60-64-65-68-72-76-82-2002-2005-2008)

Cork: 13 (1891-93-97-99-1906-07-56-57-67-87-88-93-99)

GAA ALL-IRELAND ROLL OF HONOUR

Will Kerry clinch their 36th senior football title and move fourteen clear of nearest rivals, Dublin? Or will Cork win their 7th title and join Meath in joint third place behind Kerry, Dublin and Galway.

Nineteen counties have won the All-Ireland senior football title leaving the following still chasing their first crown: Antrim, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Clare, Waterford, Carlow, Laois, Longford, Westmeath, Wicklow, Kilkenny.

35 – KERRY (1903-04-09-13-14-24-26-29-30-31-32-37-39-40-41-46-53-55-59-62-69-70-75-78-79-80-81-84-85-86-97-2000-2004-2006-2007)

22 – Dublin (1891-92-97-98-99-1901-02-06-07-08-21-22-23-42-58-63-74-76-77-83-95)

9 – Galway (1925-34-38-56-64-65-66-98-2001)

7 – Meath (1949-54-67-87-88-96-99)

6 – CORK (1890-1911-45-73-89-90)

5 – Down (1960-61-68-91-94)

5 – Cavan (1933-35-47-48-52)

5 – Wexford (1893-1915-16-17-18)

4 – Kildare (1905-19-27-28)

4- Tipperary (1889-95-1900-1920)

3 – Louth (1910-12-57)

3 – Mayo (1936-50-51)

3 – Offaly (1971-72-82)

3- Tyrone (2003-2005-2008)

2 – Limerick (1887-1896)

2 – Roscommon (1943-44)

1 – Armagh (2002)

1 – Derry (1993)

1 – Donegal (1992)

Match Preview

CORK AND KERRY TO MEET FOR 19th TIME THIS DECADE

For the second time in three seasons, Cork and Kerry will meet in the GAA All-Ireland senior football final on September 20 after Kerry clinched their place in the decider with a four point win over Meath in last Sunday’s semi-final. It will bring to 19 the number of times the counties have clashed in the championship this decade. Kerry have won ten to Cork’s four while there have been four draws, two of which came in 2008 and 2009. Kerry were easy winners over Cork (3-13 to 1-9) in the 2007 All-Ireland final. Since then the counties have met five times with Cork having won two, Kerry one while there were two draws.

All four of Cork’s wins this decade have come in the Munster championship but they have yet to beat Kerry in Croke Park. The counties have clashed six times in Croke Park since 2002 with Kerry having won five in (2002-2005-2006-2007-2008) while there was also a draw in 2008. Kerry are back in the final for a sixth successive year, something last achieved by Dublin in 1974-79. It will be Kerry’s 8th appearance in the final this decade. The only years they missed out on were 2001 and 2003.

It’s the third time since the All-Ireland qualifiers were introduced in 2001 that two counties from the same province have qualified for the final. Armagh met Tyrone in 2003 while Cork and Kerry clashed in 2007. The All-Ireland minor final will be between Armagh and Mayo.

Cork v Kerry: 18 Championship Clashes (2000-2009)

2009 – Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 (Munster semi-final) Replay

2009 – Cork 1-10 Kerry 0-13 (Munster semi-final) Draw

2008 – Kerry 2-14 Cork 1-13 (All-Ireland semi-final) Replay

2008 – Kerry 1-13 Cork 3-7 (All-Ireland semi-final) Draw

2008 – Cork 1-16 Kerry 1-11 (Munster final)

2007 – Kerry 3-13 Cork 1-9 (All-Ireland final)

2007 – Kerry 1-15 Cork 1-13 (Munster final)

2006 – Kerry 0-16 Cork 0-10 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2006 – Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-9 (Munster final) Replay

2006 – Cork 0-10 Kerry 0-10 (Munster final) Draw

2005 – Kerry 1-19 Cork 0-9 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2005 – Kerry 1-11 Cork 0-11 (Munster final)

2004 – Kerry 0-15 Cork 0-7 (Munster semi-final)

2002 – Kerry 3-19 Cork 2-7 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2002 – Cork 0-15 Kerry 1-9 (Munster semi-final) Replay)

2002 – Cork 0-8 Kerry 0-8 (Munster semi-final) Draw

2001 – Kerry 0-19 Cork 0-13 (Munster final)

2000 – Kerry 2-15 Cork 1-13 (Munster semi-final)

Kerry 10, Cork 4, Draw 4

Snippets

O’CONNOR & COOPER IN LINE TO TOP SCORING HONOURS

The race to top the 2009 GAA All-Ireland senior football scoring charts will go right down to the final day as Colm Cooper (Kerry) and Donncha O’Connor (Cork) attempt to overtake the leading pair.

Donegal’s Michael Murphy currently leads the table on 0-36, followed by Cian Ward

(Meath) on 3-26 (35 points) but since these pair are now finished the attention turns to Cooper and O’Connor who are in joint third place on a total of 31 points.

That leaves them needing to score six points to overtake Murphy who recorded his total over six games. O’Connor has played six games while Cooper has played seven.

Unusually, Wicklow have marksmen in the top ten with Tony Hannon having landed

1-22 and Seanie Furlong 1-21 in a championship run that took in six games, one of which went to extra-time.

Top Scorers 2009 SF Championship

Player……………………………………Total………… Games

Michael Murphy (Donegal)…….0-36…………………7

Cian Ward (Meath)……………….3-26………………….7

Donncha O’Connor (Cork)…….3-22………………….6

Colm Cooper (Kerry)…………….1-28…………………7

John Doyle (Kildare)……………..0-27………………….6

Bernard Brogan (Dublin)………2-20…………………..4

Tony Hannon (Wicklow)……….1-22………………….6

Donie Shine (Roscommon)…….0-24………………….5