Kerry survive Killarney scare as Rebels push them close

It was deemed as a potential David v Goliath match-up, but Cork gave All-Ireland finalists Kerry a right scare in a sun-drenched Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Saturday afternoon before a late flurry of scores set up the Kingdom's 109th Munster final appearance in two weeks’ time.

In what was the first Munster championship game between Cork and Kerry in Killarney without capacity restrictions in seven years, 17,568 watched on as Cork held a one-point lead at half-time – 0-9 to 1-7 – thanks to a Paul Walsh goal after just three minutes.

Kerry, however, were given a mid-Spring boost, when, after leading for the first time with 20 minutes to go, a much-changed Kingdom side scored five of the last eight points to run out three-point winners.

The 122nd Championship meeting between the two sides, Brian Hurley top-scored for the visitors with 0-8 as Kerry’s full forward line scored 0-12 of the Kingdom’s 0-18 to ensure three-point win.

Taking full advantage of plenty of space in front of the Kerry half-back line, Cork got off to the much better of starts and were four points up - 1-1 to 0-0 – inside the opening three minutes when Walsh raised the green flag after the Kanturk man linked up with Ian Maguire and Brian O’Driscoll.

By the 10th minute Kerry were back on level terms with four points without response from Seán O’Shea, Dara Moynihan, Cillian Burke, and Tom O’Sullivan. The hosts had almost immediately responded to Cork's early goal, but Paudie Clifford could only watch on as his effort towards an open goal edged wide of the post.

However, three Brian Hurley scores in-a-row put Cork 1-4 to 0-4 ahead with 15 minutes on the clock, a lead Kerry brought back to just one by the half-time break thanks to two David Clifford scores