Electric Ireland Munster MFC Semi-Final – Kerry 0-16 Cork 1-12

Kerry defeated Cork by 0-16 to 1-12 in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final on Wednesday May 13th at Austin Stack Park Tralee.

.@ElectricIreland All-Ireland MFC champions Kerry reach Munster final with AET win v Cork #GAA http://t.co/dgrRbVnRCp pic.twitter.com/ZTXzSrLZf3

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 13, 2015

Munster MFC: Kerry defeat Cork after extra-time

ELECTRIC IRELAND MUNSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL: KERRY 0-16 CORK 1-12 (AET)

Report from GAA.ie

Reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions Kerry qualified for the Munster Minor Football Championship final on Wednesday evening, kicking a late winner in extra-time to see off old rivals Cork.

An extremely tight game in Austin Stack Park, Tralee finished level after normal-time, 0-11 apiece, and Daniel Ó Duinnín’s late goal in extra-time levelled the match for Cork, with a replay looking certain. However, having been the better side in the extra period, Kerry took the initiative in the closing stages and Jack O’Connor’s side keep their bid for successive titles on track. They will face Tipperary in the Munster final on July 5.

Kerry led 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time, with freetaker Cormac Linnane, Ronan Buckley, Mark O’Connor and Seán O’Shea among their scorers.
The accuracy of Stephen Sherlock’s frees kept Cork in it in the first half, but Kerry edged three clear by the midway point of the second half after scores from Conor Geaney and Linnane. However, Cork hit three points without reply in the final quarter, from Daniel Ó Duinnín, Stephen Leonard and Shane Kingston to take the game to extra time.

Kerry took control in the first period of extra-time, with a point from Graham O’Sullivan and two from Geaney leaving them three clear at the mini-interval. That remained the difference as time ticked away in the second half of extra-time, but the impressive Daniel Ó Duinnín’s goal after 76 minutes levelled things up dramatically for Cork and created the prospect of a replay. However, Kerry found the score they needed to advance.

#Kerry edge old firm battle in Tralee, advance to Munster final writes @tonyleen | http://t.co/Vcesg4MvMF (GM) pic.twitter.com/HH8RQFxC3z

— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) May 13, 2015

Kerry edge old firm battle in Tralee, advance to Munster final

Munster MFC: Kerry 0-16 Cork 1-12 (after extra-time)

By Tony Leen, Tralee for the Irish Examiner newspaper

A breathless antidote in Tralee Wednesday night to some of the forensics football’s been subjected to of late. Evidently the tedium of defensive formations and bodied rearguards hasn’t trickled down to the minor football rivalry between Cork and Kerry. The Kingdom, reigning All-Ireland champions, emerged victorious with a point from Spa’s Mike Foley in the last minute of extra-time, separating these old rivals and prematurely ending the Rebels’ interest in this season’s minor championship.

Harsh? On Cork yes. But when Kerry coach Jack O’Connor used the words ‘tenacity’ and ‘character’ about his players in the winning dressing room afterwards, it wasn’t for effect or a punchline. From full-back Jason Foley through to centre back Mike Breen, immense midfielders Mark O’Connor and John Mark Foley, Brian O Seanachain and the other forwards who were out on their feet at the death, Kerry truly quarried this epic win from deep..

Cork were advertised as a better group of individual players, and that may remain fact. Their coach Donal O’Sullivan felt afterwards that a couple of rushed passes and individual errors cost them in extra time, but it was hard not to feel sorry for the visitors to Tralee.

The goal that Cork threatened at various intervals came with a minute and a half to go in extra-time from the ever dangerous Dan O Duinnin, who was by now plying his trade on the edge of the square. He finished brilliantly and if there was to be a winner at this late juncture, it looked like the visitors. But Kerry created one last attack, and despite wasting other chances in the second period of extra time, there was no mistake this time from Foley, set up by the inspirational Mike Breen.

The significance of these minor turf wars can be overstated at times, but because it came at the semi final stage of the provincial series, the losers’ season is over. A thrilling throwback to one the clifftop championship. The pity for Cork is that this team would only have improved.

Kerry certainly will, if only because this victory, and its’ manner, will nourish their preparations for a Munster final against Tipperary. Jack O’Connor said the dogs on the street knew that Kerry don’t have the lethal forwards of the 2014 campaign, but they still have midfielder Mark O’Connor, and emerging talents like Brian O Seanachain, Sean O’Shea and Conor Geaney. This battle will gird them.

With 15 minutes remaining, Kerry were 0-11 to 0-8 to the good but Cork were in the ascendancy, claimed the last two scores of normal time from Stephen Leonard and Gary Murphy to force extra time. Their second half display merited it. From the outset, both inside forward lines were causing headaches for the opposition but neither rearguard wilted. Though Cork had more options inside with Leonard, Sherlock and Murphy, Kerry’s Conor Geaney and Stephen O’Sullivan were also a handful in the opening exchanges.

The sides were level at 0-5 each after 17 minutes when Kerry’s Gavin White powered forward with intent to fist the equaliser. The rangy Kerry wing forward Brian O Seanachain drilled a superb ball into Stephen O’Sullivan to add a further point, and showed his prowess in the air too by fielding a high centre before being fouled. Conor Geaney converted the free to make it 0-8 to 0-6 for Kerry.

Their keeper, Billy Courtney, opened a three point gap from a 45 but the ever dangerous Stephen Leonard – who impressed for Ilen Rovers in their recent Cork SFC loss to Nemo Rangers – narrowed the gap to 0-9 to 0-7 on the stroke of half-time.

With Kerry playing into the strond wind in the second period, their ambition lessened into possession maintenance. But Cork could only add a single point, from Dan O Duinnin, in the opening 23 minutes of the second half with the assistance of the elements. In hindsight it was possibly their undoing.

They forced extra time and though Cathal O’Rourke cancelled Sean O’Shea’s early point for Kerry, the Kingdom looked set for home when Graham O’Sullivan and two Conor Geaney points out them three up. Cork weren’t done though and when O Duinnin goaled, they must have thought they’d done enough to earn a replay in Cork. Not quite.

Scorers for Kerry: C Geaney (0-5, 3 frees), C Linnane (0-2, frees), S O’Shea (0-2), B Courtney, G White, M O’Connor, S O’Sullivan, R Buckley, G O’Sullivan, M Foley (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: D O Duinnin (1-3), S Leonard (0-3, frees), S Sherlock (0-3, frees), S McEvoy, G Murphy and C O’Rourke (0-1 each).

KERRY: B Courtney (Dr Crokes); D Brosnan (Gneeveguilla), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), J Morgan (Austin Stacks); G White (Dr Crokes), M Breen (Beaufort), D O’Brien (Glenflesk); M O’Connor (Dingle), JM Foley (Kilgarvan); B Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue), B Sweeney (Listowel), S O’Shea (Kenmare); S O’Sullivan (Templenoe), C Linnane (Beale), C Geaney (Dingle).

Subs: R. Buckley (Listry) for Sweeney (inj., 2 mins); M Foley (Spa) for O’Sullivan (46); D Casey (St Mary’s) for Buckley; G O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for White; D O’Shea (Kenmare) for Breen (58); A Barry (Na Gaeil) for JM Foley (59)

Extra time subs: T O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Barry; S O’Sullivan for Casey; G White for J Foley (67); B Barrett (Ardfert) for O’Shea (68); M Breen for D O’Brien (70).

CORK: M White (Clonakilty); K Dwyer (Macroom), T O’Connell (Clonakilty), S Powter (Douglas); T Bushe (Ilen Rovers), R Walsh (Castlehaven), S Madigan (Buttevant); E O’Brien (Douglas), D Ó Duinnín (Cill na Matra); D Lowney (Clonakilty), S Kingston (Douglas), S McEvoy (Clonakilty); S Leonard (Ilen Rovers), G Murphy (Castletownbere), S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: N Walsh (Douglas) for Dwyer (28); E Ryle (Carrigaline) for O’Brien (46); C Hughes (Canovee) for Sherlock (51); C O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers, 0-1) for Bushe (51); E McSweeney (Knocknagree) for Lowney (60).

Extra time subs: S O’Neill (Kildorrery) for Leonard (66); C Dennehy (St Finbarr’s) for O’Connell (73); D Lowney for Kingston (74).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary)

See all the images from the @MunsterGAA clash of @Kerry_Official & @OfficialCorkGAA here – http://t.co/3FdNsLEbcw pic.twitter.com/T4nHoftRvo

— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) May 13, 2015

Preview – @ElectricIreland @MunsterGAA MFC Semi-Final, @Kerry_Official v @OfficialCorkGAA, Tralee, 7.30pm: http://t.co/dIoKFHasAn #GAA

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 13, 2015

Fixture Details

WEDNESDAY MAY 13TH
ELECTRIC IRELAND MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Cork v Kerry
Corcaigh v Ciarraí
Venue: Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 7.30pm
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tiobraid Árann)
Extra time if necessary

Kerry v Cork: 'All on the line' for Munster's Old Firm writes @cormicaneoghan | http://t.co/vfRaOSU4ww (DOD) pic.twitter.com/vcL6zVc7F7

— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) May 13, 2015

Ticket Information

Adults: €10
Juveniles do not require a ticket
Concession tickets are available on match day at the venue only.
This is an unreserved fixture.

Click to buy tickets online in advance

Team News

The Kerry Minor Team is announced: http://t.co/XP8Of2lvmh http://t.co/MzAsCk40Qe

— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) May 10, 2015

Kerry MF Team

1 Billy Courtney (Dr Crokes)
2 Darren Brosnan (Gneeveguilla)
3 Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4 Jack Morgan (Austin Stacks)
5 Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
6 Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7 Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)
8 Mark O’Connor (Dingle)
9 John Mark Foley (Kilgarvan)
10 Brian O Seanachain (Ballydonoghue)
11 Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmets)
12 Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
13 Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe)
14 Cormac Linnane (Beale)
15 Conor Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
16 Eoghan O’Brien (Churchill)
17 Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
18 Michael Foley (Spa)
19 Dara O’Shea (Kenmare)
20 Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
21 Ronan Buckley (Listry)
22 Darren Casey (St Marys)
23 Brandon Barrett (Ardfert)
24 Jack Goulding (Ballyduff)
25 Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil)

Cork v Kerry Munster U18 Football Championship Wed 13th Tralee http://t.co/UIZHinzc3U

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) May 11, 2015

The Cork Minor Football team lines out as follows:

Mark White (Clonakilty)
Kevin Dwyer (Macroom)
Tiarnan O’Connell (Clonakilty)
Sean Powter (Douglas) Capt.
Tom Bushe (Ilen Rovers)
Ronan Walsh (Castlehaven)
Seamus Madigan (Buttevant)
Eoin O’Brien (Douglas)
Daniel O’Duinnin (Cill na Matra)
David Lowney (Clonakilty)
Shane Kingston (Douglas)
Sean McEvoy (Clonakilty)
Stephen Leonard (Ilen Rovers)
Gary Murphy (Castletownbere)
Stephen Sherlock (St. Finbarrs)

Subs:
Chris Kelly (Éire Óg)
Cathal O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
Nathan Walsh (Douglas)
Conor Hughes (Canovee)
Conor Dennehy (St. Finbarrs)
Evan Ryle (Carrigaline)
Shane O’Neill (Killdorrey)
Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
Edward Leahy (Aghada)

Referee – Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
Standby Referee – Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)
Linesman – David Grogan (Tipperary)
Sideline Official – John O’Brien (Tipperary)
Umpires – John Lonergan, Stephen Aylward, Paul O’Connor, Seamus Walsh (Tipperary)

Extra time – (2 periods x 10 minutes only) to be played if sides finish level at the end of 60 minutes

Next Round – the winners play the winners of the Clare v Tipperary semi-final in the Munster Final on July 5^th.

Contact Munster GAA PRO Ger Ryan at pro.munster@gaa.ie for more information

For the Record

MUNSTER GAA FOOTBALL MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

First Round

Wednesday April 15^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles           Tipperary 2-16          Waterford 1-7
@ Austin Stack Park Tralee           Kerry 0-14                  Clare 0-3

@ Páirc na nGael Limerick            Cork 2-15                   Limerick 2-7

Play-off 1

Wedneday April 22^nd  

@ Newcastewest                             Limerick 2-14            Waterford 3-10

Play-off 2

Wednesday April 29^th 

@ Cusack Park, Ennis                   Clare 2-11                 Limerick 0-5

Semi-Finals

Wednesday May 13^th

@ Austin Stack Park, Tralee                      Kerry v Cork                                      @ 7.30pm
@ Semple Stadium, Thurles                      Tipperary v Clare                              @ 7.30pm

Final
Sunday July 5^th

@ TBC                                               Kerry or Cork v Tipperary or Clare             @ 12:00 noon

Munster Minor Football Championship – Useful Information

Kerry are seeking their a 4^th consecutive appearance in the Munster Minor Football final and a third championship title in a row. Kerry are the last team to win 3 in a row having done so as part of their 2001 to 2004 four in a row. Cork are the only other county to win 3 in a row having done so most recently between 1991 and 1993. Tipperary had an opportunity for 3 in a row in 2013 when they were defeated in the Munster final by Kerry.

Tipperary and Clare will also meet in this year’s Munster Minor Hurling Championship semi-final which like the football semi-final will be played at Semple Stadium.

Munster teams have secured just 3 All Ireland titles since the turn of the Millenium – Kerry (2014), Tipperary (2011) and Cork (2000).

Goals win games or do they? Limerick and Waterford scored 4 goals each in this year’s Munster Minor Football championship but both are now eliminated while Clare (2), Cork (2), Tipperary (2) and Kerry (0) remain in the competition.

Current Cork senior football manager, Brian Cuthbert, was manager when Cork last won the Munster minor football championship in 2010.

Munster Minor Football Championship Roll Of Honour

Kerry (43)

1931, 1932, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014.

Cork (29)

1939, 1952, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010

Tipperary (7)

1934, 1935, 1955, 1984, 1995, 2011, 2012

Clare (3)

1929, 1930, 1953

Limerick (1)

1956

Munster Minor Football Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began in 1929 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/mf_teams/

Munster Minor Football Cup
The Tadhg Crowley Cup was presented by Munster Council in 1990 to commemorate late Munster Council Treasurer. Tadhg was elected as Munster Council Treasurer in 1968 and served until his death in December 1989. A teacher by profession, he also served as Kerry County Board Secretary from 1955 until 1970. Tadhg was recognized as a specialist in organizing and handling styles and gates at Munster Championship games.

All Ireland Minor Football Championship

In the Minor Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 12 titles while Cork are tied for second with Dublin with 10 titles. Clare won the first All-Ireland Minor Football title in 1929 while Tipperary’s two All-Ireland successes at this grade came in 1934 and 2011. Between them Munster counties have accounted for 25 All-Ireland Minor Football titles, ahead of Leinster and Ulster (20 titles each) and Connacht (18 titles).

Kerry were All-Ireland Minor Football Champions in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1946, 1950, 1962, 1963, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1994, 2014

Cork were All-Ireland Minor Football Champions in 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1991, 1993, 2000