Kerry overcome Cork to clinch 31st Munster U20 title

Munster U20FC final

Kerry 1-15

Cork 0-12

Kerry were the inaugural recipients of the new Noel Walsh Cup to mark their 31st Munster U20 football title, sealed with a six-point victory over Cork.

In front of 2,718 fans at a sun-splashed Austin Stack Park, the Kingdom's rapid start to the second half killed this contest and clinched an EirGrid All-Ireland semi-final berth against Meath.

Turning to face the wind, Tomás Kennedy goaled within 90 seconds and three further scores padded their lead out to an unassailable 10 points.

The major difference between the sides was their efficiency in front of goal. Cork fluffed goal chances and dropped shots short at key moments although the tigerish Kerry defending demanded plenty of credit.

It was summed up by Hugh O’Connor being blocked down for a potential 1-02 in the first half. Captain Rob Stack, Dara O’Callaghan, and Maidhcí Lynch produced the vital interventions, the latter to deny a goal.

The Rebels had the first point through Ed Myers who was also denied a goal opportunity by the back-tracking Charlie Keating.

Kerry kicked five on the spin, with two fine scores from Daniel Kirby, and singles from Odhran Ferris, Cormac Dillon (free), and Aidan Crowley.

It was 0-05 to 0-01 at the end of the first quarter and from there to the break, the sides evenly split eight points.

O’Connor snapped a smart score, Dara Sheedy booted one off his left, and Rory O’Shaughnessy broke through for another.

After a Keating point, Kerry relied on Dillon’s dead-ball accuracy to keep them ticking over; 0-09 to 0-05 at half-time.

Cork derived little benefit from the wind at their backs in the second half. Kerry had their goal when Kennedy played a one-two with Luke Crowley and jinked left to billow the net.

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