Cork retain McGrath Cup after shoot-out win over Kerry

Cork 1-14 Kerry 1-14

(Cork win 4-3 on penalties)

Mark Cronin scored the winning penalty as Cork defended their McGrath Cup title with a shoot-out victory over rivals Kerry.

With both sides having an eye on next weekend's Allianz League openers, this quality work-out went straight to penalties after Darragh Cashman kicked the 72nd-minute leveller for the Rebels.

Goalkeeper Patrick Doyle scored Cork’s first spot-kick before Blake Murphy blazed over the bar to hand Kerry the initiative.

But Micheál Burns also fired over and Doyle, who almost denied an identical effort from Diarmuid O’Connor, got down low to save from Darragh Roche.

Conor Geaney and Barry Dan O’Sullivan were Kerry’s other successful takers but the Rebels saw it out through Fionn Herlihy and a peach from Chris Óg Jones into the top corner before Cronin’s composed winner.

After lifting the cup, Cork captain Seán Meehan paid tribute to his Kiskeam clubmate John Paddy Joe Murphy, who died this week and was remembered with a minute’s silence before the match.

Kerry manager Jack O’Connor selected a mix of six All-Ireland starters and newcomers, including debutant Armin Heinrich at wing-back. His finest moments were two perfectly lofted diagonal balls into the square which resulted in points for Killian Spillane and Ronan Buckley.

Cillian Burke was another youngster to stand out. His link-up play with Seán O’Shea created the first two points for Spillane and Dylan Geaney. He forced two turnovers in attack, allowing him to add a point of his own and create a goal chance for Brian Ó Beaglaoich, saved by Doyle.

O’Shea and Spillane both looked sharp, with the latter kicking 0-03 from play.

Cork led for most of the first half thanks to impressive centre-forward David Buckley.