Kerry Snatch Late Draw

Munster Football Championship Semi-Final

Kerry 0-13 Cork 1-10

By Denis O'Brien

Substitute Bryan Sheehan saved Kerry in Killarney on Sunday with an equalizing injury time free to deny a victory for provincial champions Cork, who for long periods looked the more likely victors in this intense Munster Football Championship semi-final at a packed Fitzgerald Stadium.

Showing purpose and industry Cork had dominated things for the majority of this encounter. Kerry had struggled to come to grips with a solid Cork defense, and had to show all their football guile when trailing by four as they approached the final quarter.

A flurry of changes finally got Kerry ticking, evidenced by sub Bryan Sheehan chipping over three delightful points (2 frees).

Championship debutant and ex-Ozzie Rules hero, Tadgh Kennelly came good to add another in between while Colm Cooper, who had struck a poor penalty and free early on, kicked a superb point under severe pressure to level the match with three left to play.

In the second minute of injury time a Cork attack produced a '45 that Cork youngster and Under 21 hero, sub Colm O'Neill, dispatched expertly over the bar to nudge the Rebels back in front.

Kerry launched a final attack. Wing back Tomás Ó Sé, who had shown real leadership throughout the second period, surged though the middle of the park and was fouled foolishly by Nicholas Murphy.

Referee Maurice Deegan brought the ball forward when sub Noel O'Leary was making life difficult for freetaker Sheehan. Kicking from the ground Sheehan sent the ball sailing between the posts much to the delight of the home crowd to earn the Kingdom a replay with Cork in Pairc Ui Caoimh this Saturday evening.

Kerry started without Kieran Donaghy (injured) with Marc Ó Sé slotting in at full back while Tadgh Kennelly was given his long awaited championship start at midfield. Cork made one change from their opening win over Waterford with Paddy Kelly making his debut on the half forward line.

Cork got off to a bright start with two quick points before Kerry brought the sides level with a Donnacha Walsh score after good work from Kennelly.

Then the Kingdom suffered a double setback from which they only managed to recover in the final quarter.

First the home crowd was shocked to see ace attacker young Tommy Walsh having to retire with a leg injury. He was replaced by inspirational leader Daragh Ó Sé; however, the euphoria over his introduction soon evaporated with the arrival of the only goal in the game.

In a great move, a brilliant run by the industrious Paul Kerrigan put through Pierce O'Neill and the powerful center forward sent an unstoppable shot to the Kerry net.

Donnacha O'Connor stretched the lead to three and soon after a Colm Cooper free effort reflected Kerry's shocked state as he hit a poor wide.

Cork were having the better of the midfield battle and a lively set of forwards were full of running with Kerrigan and O'Neill causing problems.

The 27th minute saw Donnacha Walsh and Darragh Ó Sé hit two important points to bring their side to within two. A great run out of defense by Marc Ó Sé, saw him deliver several clever dummies before he laid off to Darren O'Sullivan who was then fouled and a penalty awarded.

If Colm Cooper executed it would send Kerry into the lead for the first time in the match. But his shot was poorly hit and the ball ended up dribbling wide of the left post. The huge Cork support delighted in the outcome and shortly after Donnacha O'Conner converted his second free to leave the rebels deservedly ahead by three at half time. |

After an interval pow-wow with boss Jack O'Conner, Kerry upped the pace but two quick wides again reflected their nervy state.

Daniel Goulding added to Cork's lead with a fine angled point before sub Noel O'Leary stretched their lead to four.

The Rebels then had a gilt edge chance to send Kerry into the qualifiers but newcomer Paddy O'Neill showed his inexperience when, one-on-one with Kerry keeper Diarmuid Murphy, he sent the ball left of the post and wide.

A Colm Cooper 50th point brought it back to three but scores from O'Conner (free) and a fisted effort from O'Neill put five between the sides with Kerry now running out of time.

Brian Sheehan and BJ Walsh were drafted into the forwards to try and get Kerry going again.

Tomás Ó Sé was now beginning to influence with his trademark runs into attack and Kerry were also starting get on top at midfield.

Then came Kerry's best patch of the game when they hit four unanswered points. Sheehan's steadiness over frees during that period was critical while his point from play along with Cooper's equalizing point were crucial scores.

The Kingdom's confidence had been restored and despite Cork's late '45, Kerry had swung the battle enough in their direction to set up the equalizing chance.

One could say that Cork should have pushed on and won the game when five ahead but Kerry in front of a home crowd are no mean pushovers and they showed that in spades.

Cork showed plenty of All Ireland pedigree throughout and on this performance it looks like Saturday should present more high drama.

Team & Scorers:
Kerry: D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T Ó Sé, T Griffin, A O'Mahony; T Kennelly (0-1), M Quirke; P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan, D Walsh (0-2); C Cooper (0-03, 0-1f), T Walsh (0-1) Darren O'Sullivan (capt). Subs: D Ó Sé (0-1) for T Walsh (11 mins, inj), B Sheehan (0-05, 0-4f) for Darren O'Sullivan (40, blood sub), Darren O'Sullivan for D Walsh (49), D Moran for Quirke (50), BJ Walsh for Darren O'Sullivan (58), S O'Sullivan for Kennelly (70).
Cork: A Quirke; K O'Connor, M Shields, A Lynch; J Miskella, G Canty (capt) (0-1), G Spillane; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly, P O'Neill (1-02), P Kerrigan; D Goulding (0-2), J Masters, D O'Connor (0-3f). Subs: M Cussen for Masters (26 mins), N O'Leary (0-1) for Spillane (32), N O'Donovan for Miskella (45), B O'Regan for K O'Connor (62), C O'Neill (0-1, '45) for Goulding (65).
Referee: Maurice Deegan