Kerry beat Cork in tough and exciting tussle

KERRY and Cork treated the crowd of 7,000 to an hour of exhilarating fare at Tralee yesterday. In the end, Kerry's greater tenacity and coolness under pressure proved decisive and, amid a welter of excitement, they snatched the match-winning scores.

Cork played against the breeze in the first half but controlled the exchanges for long periods. However their forwards misssed numerous scoring chances following, some excellent outfield play - they had a total of seven wides in this half.

Kerry turned their limited chances to better use. They trailed by 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes but points by Maurice Fitzgerald and Genie Farrell put them level, and another from Denis Dwyer put them ahead.

Cork were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute, but Ciaran O'Sullivan booted the ball high over the bar, levelling the scores. The same player added another point, to leave Cork leading 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Dara O Se replaced Donal Daly at midfield for Kerry after half-time and along with William Kirby, who had another eye-catching game in the green and gold jersey, he helped Kerry get a grip on the game in this sector.

The exchanges grew in intensity as the second half progressed. Eventually, Cork's full-forward Terry Dillon was sent to the line for striking a Kerry defender in the 54th minute. In addition, Kerry's trainer, Paidi O Se, had his name taken for encroaching on the pitch.

Eleven minutes into the half Ciaran O'Sullivan pointed a free to put Cork two points ahead. But Kerry dictated the game thereafter, and Cork scored only once more in the game.

Try as they did, Cork were unable to unlock a rock-solid Kerry defence in which Liam Flaherty Barry O'Shea and Seamus Moynihan were outstanding.

At the other end Fitzgerald (free) and Farrell had points to tie the scores 0-6 apiece 13 minutes into the half and then Fitzgerald pointed another free to put Kerry in front.

Dillon had a great opportunity of a Cork goal but he drove the ball wide before O'Sullivan pointed a free in the 57th minute to level the scores for the fifth time.

The issue hung delicately in the balance in the exciting closing minutes: Farrell found substitute John Brennan with a neat pass and the Castleisland man picked off a great point to the delight of the home fans.

Three minutes into injury time, Kirby was fouled and Fitzgerald pointed the free and Kerry held out for a merited victory.