Kingdom Cometh!

All Ireland Football Final
Kerry 0-16 Cork 1-9

By Denis O'Brien

There's something about Kerry football that's irresistible. They seem to make the game look so easy to play.

Last Sunday in Croke Park on All Ireland Final day, The Kingdom showed once again why they are masterful footballers as they handed rivals Cork a further lesson in composure and execution.

Unlike Kerry, Cork struggled with the fundamentals of the game: when in front they were unable to stay there and when behind they couldn't score enough to turn the tide.

Kerry despite finding themselves in a five point hole early in the first half were able to comeback, tie the game and then push ahead. They led at the break by two.

Cork came out in the second half full of intention and purpose.

They regained control of midfield, temporary though it was, and set up attack after attack but all came to naught as they shot six wides in succession. In between, Kerry calmly tapped over a brace of scores to extend their lead.

The Rebels, driven on by their final defeat to Kerry two years previous, kept the pressure on though and helped by a brace of frees and a point by Daniel Goulding, their only point from play in the second half, they pulled within one of Kerry.

Like a protective mother sensing danger to her young, The Kingdom, as they had done earlier, went on the offensive to rectify the problem. Midfield was retaken, and in the space of a few minutes three well-executed points had averted danger. Even though Cork had plenty of time left to comeback they were unable to breakdown a solid Kerry defense.

The green and gold went on to control the tempo of the game until referee Martin Duffy blew the final championship whistle of the season and the Sam Maguire Cup was heading back to the Kingdom for the 36th time.

In front of a crowd of 82,286, Cork opened with a flourish when after only 10 minutes of play they found themselves leading by five points.

The Rebel's Donnacha O'Connor had sent over a third minute free but Kerry's Tadgh Kennelly, the man who this year had returned from Australian Rules football for a taste of All Ireland success, replied a minute later with a fine point from play.

Young Cork full forward Colm O'Neill who was out in front of his older marker, Tommy Griffen, then lobbed over a lovely score off his left before Paddy Kelly kicked an angled beauty near the Hogan to stretch his sides lead to two.

A minute later Cork received a huge boost when slamming home the only goal of the match.

A well placed free by Nicholas Murphy exposed Griffen once more as the Kerry full back was left stranded by O'Neill. The 20-year old, out in front and close to the left hand side of the square, turned and off his left drove a terrific shot past the helpless Diarmuid Murphy into the roof of the net for a great goal.

Kerry never panicked though and straightaway were launching attacks of their own they harvested a pair of Colm Cooper frees to stem the tide.

The 17th minute saw O'Connor put over another free but Kerry with Darragh Ó Sé and Seamus Scanlon in control at midfield were now beginning to really motor.

Kerry hit the next six points without reply and restored any doubts about their well-being and abilities.

In that period, Tomas Ó Sé after a typical run out of defense found Tommy Walsh, who using his great strength, was able to keep his marker Michael Shields at bay before putting over a wonderful score. Walsh, in excellent form, then immediately grabbed another point and Kerry were now within two.

Kerry meanwhile had tightened up at the back with Griffen doing better while corner back Tom O'Sullivan, who would go on to deservedly win 'Man of the Match', continued to clear ball and set up attacks.

Another 'Gooch' Cooper free put the minimum between the sides before the hard working Paul Galvin with a half goal chance fisted wide under pressure.

Moments later Kerry were level when Declan O'Sullivan, who was giving his marker Kieran O'Connor, a late substitute for Ray Carey, a torrid time rifled over a good point to restore parity.

Kerry were now well on top and increased their lead with points from Cooper (free) and Tadgh Kennelly who had the beating of center back Graeme Canty. Kerry had disrupted Cork's ability to attack out of defense and with their big center forward, Padraig Pearse, whose power and running had been pivotal in getting his side into the final, anonymous, his side seemed lost.

Cork's Daniel Goulding, who for once got away from Tom O'Sullivan, got a badly needed score but Tomas O'Sé effortlessly replied before Cooper, who last Sunday had the measure of Anthony Lynch, was fouled and sent over a free to see Kerry take a 0-11 to 1-6 lead at half time.

After the break Cork's Nicholas Murphy revived the Rebels as he began to take hold of midfield. But scorable chances from Paul Kerrigan, Goulding (free) and a '45 and a free from O'Conner, were all squandered.

Kerry would make no such mistakes as they tagged on a brace - Darran O'Sullivan's effort after a great run forward a standout - to increase the lead to four points.

Cork continued to press but on two further occasions failed to find the target. In the 47th minute, Goulding had a half chance of a goal but his angled shot was well covered by Kerry keeper, Murphy.

But Cork managed to get themselves back into the game when points from O'Connor (free) and Goulding narrowed the gap to one with a quarter remaining. Kerry were then forced into changes with the introduction of Michael Quirke and Kieran Donaghy.

Cork launched another attack but a great block by solid corner back Mark O'Sé saved a possible equalizer and from that moment on Kerry won back control of the game.

Steady play out of defense ensued with a good run by Tom O'Sullivan making progress to the middle of the field. The ball was then worked through to the forwards where Tommy Walsh collected and sent over an important score.

Kerry's Seamus Scanlon won the kickout and another flowing attack ended with Walsh again lofting another great point to put three between the sides.

Deep down everyone in Croker knew that, given Kerry's resoluteness on the day, there was no way back for Cork who themselves tossed a further four wides before the end.

Cork made it all look so difficult but Kerry made things look so easy and the team that succeeds in accomplishing this usually wins.

Teams and Scorers:
Kerry: D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T Griffin, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Sé (0-2) M McCarthy, K Young; D Ó Sé, S Scanlon; P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan (0-1), T Kennelly (0-2); C Cooper (0-6f), T Walsh (0-4), Darran O'Sullivan (0-1). Subs: D Walsh for Kennelly (50 mins), M Quirke for D Ó Sé (57), K Donaghy for Darran O'Sullivan (57), D Moran for T Walsh (68), A O'Mahony for Young (69).
Cork: A Quirke; K O'Connor, M Shields, A Lynch; J Miskella, G Canty, N O'Leary; A O'Connor, N Murphy; P Kelly (0-1), P O'Neill, P Kerrigan; D Goulding (0-4, 0-2f), C O'Neill (1-1), D O'Connor (0-3f). Subs: E Cadogan for K O'Connor (HT), F Goold for Kerrigan (48 mins), D Kavanagh for Lynch (59), J Masters for Goulding (62), M Cussen for A O'Connor (65).
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).