Sunday’s results
Munster SFC final: Kerry 1-23 Cork 1-15 (report)
Connacht SFC final: Roscommon 3-21 Galway 2-22 (report)
Tailteann Cup: Sligo 1-12 Tipperary 0-17; Carlow 2-26 Antrim 6-17; Laois 1-23 Wicklow 0-19; Waterford 0-10 London 5-12; Fermanagh 1-24 Longford 2-17 (weekend wrap)
Leinster SHC: Offaly 0-24 Kilkenny 1-21 (report)
Thanks for joining us for today’s championship action. The first two proincial finals have now been decided, with Kerry taking home the first Corn Pháidí Uí Shé against Cork and Roscommon clinching the Nestor Cup.
Stay with us for Seán Moran’s report on the excellent Connacht final and its thrilling conclusion. There’s also reports available now for the Munster final, the Offaly-Kilkenny draw and all the Tailteann Cup action.
See you next week for the Leinster and Ulster deciders!
There was also plenty of action in the Tailteann Cup today, including an eight-goal thriller in Cullen Park between Carlow and Antrim. Stephen Barry has the round-up on all the Tailteann action.
Offaly secured a great result in their Leinster SHC clash against Kilkenny, but it was nearly a massive upset. Paul Keane was in O’Connor Park as the game went right down to the wire.
[Eoghan Cahill’s late strike secures draw for Offaly as Kilkenny endure tough day in Tullamore]
Ian O’Riordan was in Fitzgerald Stadium as Kerry beat Cork thanks to a super second half in the Munster final.
[Kerry claim another Munster crown after softly decimating Cork]
Here’s the Leinster hurling table after today’s Offaly-Kilkenny draw:
Galway - P3, 6pts
Dublin - P3, 5pts
Kilkenny - P3, 3pts
Offaly - P3, 2pts
Wexford - P3, 2pts
Kildare - P3, 0pts
Darragh Heneghan was a brilliant man of the match today, and he says that they wanted to put their record at home in Connacht finals right. The scenes at Dr Hyde Park are brilliant to see, with fans flooding the pitch to make a sea of yellow and blue. The provincial finals are alive!
This was how Roscommon clinched the Nestor Cup, a beauty of a team score to seal it.
That was a superb game. Roscommon have won the Connacht title at minor, under-20 and senior levels for the first time.
Full-time: Roscommon 3-21 Galway 2-22
Shane Walsh hits a two-point attempt wide and the hooter sounds. Roscommon are Connacht champions!
69 Mins: Another point for Murtagh after some great link up play between Smith and Cregg. They should have it now. Roscommon 3-21 Galway 2-22
68 Mins: Roscommon win another kickout and this time Comer comes in to hit McKeown after he has won a free. That means the ball is moved up right to the arc and Murtagh curls over another two-pointer for Roscommon to go in front! Roscommon 3-20 Galway 2-22
66 Mins: Roscommon keep recycling to find a two-point opportunity and eventually find Cregg for a wonderful left-footed kick. One point in it! Roscommon 3-18 Galway 2-22
64 Mins: Another stoppage to deal with another injured player, and this time it’s Heneghan getting treatment. Cian McKeown comes on for him. Roscommon 3-16 Galway 2-22
64 Mins: Daire Cregg hits a terrible wide after an unorthodox one-two with Enda Smith. There’s another break in play as Enda Smith and John McGrath are both down getting treatment. Roscommon 3-16 Galway 2-22
63 Mins: Keith Doyle has a go for a two-pointer that goes wide, but the umpires spot a touch on it. Carroll has another 45′ so, and this one he puts over the bar. Roscommon 3-16 Galway 2-22
62 Mins: Paul Carey hits a two-pointer to bring it down to a four-point gap. Roscommon 3-15 Galway 2-22
61 Mins: GOAL for Galway! Damien Comer hits the back of the net after John Maher won a breaking ball from two Roscommon men jumping for the same ball. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 2-22
60 Mins: Heneghan hits the accelerator and goes around McDaid, but it’s called back for steps. They really need a score to get back into things. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 1-22
58 Mins: Colm Neary skins John Maher, but then takes a bad solo and loses control when the goal chance is on. Galway win their kickout and take it forward again and Seán Kelly hits the crossbar with a goal effort. It bounces over. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 1-22
57 Mins: Comer gets his second score, hitting a left-footed shot on the loop. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 1-21
55 Mins: A terrible tackle on Comer, as Patrick Gavin takes the Galway man out. It’s like a bad tackle on a quarterback. Comer is down getting treatment. It’s only a yellow and he’s very lucky. Walsh pops the free over. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 1-20
54 Mins: Daire Cregg gets his first point since coming on from a free. Roscommon 3-13 Galway 1-19
52 Mins: Roscommon lose the ball up front and Galway counter. McDaid gets across his man and wins a free. Galway are coming back into it, scrapping for everything again. Walsh takes the free and puts it over for two points. Galway in front. Roscommon 3-12 Galway 1-19
50 Mins: Damien Comer gets on the ball, spins and pops it over excellently. Conroy and Molloy are off for Cian Hernon and John Daly. Roscommon 3-12 Galway 1-17
48 Mins: Comer finally gets on the ball, but it’s a slow attack and Galway can’t carve open Roscommon easily. Seán Kelly gets around the back but his effort is saved brilliantly by Conor Carroll. Roscommon 3-12 Galway 1-16
44 Mins: Goal for Roscommon! Darragh Heneghan gets in behind again and finishes low to the bottom corner. What a game from him. Roscommon 3-12 Galway 1-16
42 Mins: Damien Comer is on for Ryan Roche. Enda Smith turns over the ball in midfield and Darragh Heneghan gets his first score of the second half to level things. Roscommon 2-12 Galway 1-15
40 Mins: Ciillian McDaid clears a ball off the line from a Robert Heneghan shot. At the other end, Roscommon turn the ball over well and work it up to Conor Ryan to score a two-pointer from miles out. Roscommon 2-11 Galway 1-15
39 Mins: Paul Conroy hits an uncharacteristic wide with his left boot. Roscommon work it up through Enda Smith who fists it over with the help of a palm by Conor Ryan. Roscommon 2-9 Galway 1-15
36 Mins: Finnian Ó Laoí is on for Daniel O’Flaherty. Galwat gave the first attack of the half and Seán Kelly fists it over the bar for the first point. Roscommon 2-8 Galway 1-15
Here’s Seán Moran’s view of the first half from the Hyde:
“A breathless first half has finished with Galway three up, 1-14 to 2-8 at the Hyde. They had been well in control in the first quarter from a goal by Rob Finnerty after 65 seconds and led by 1-9 to 0-4 in the 20th minute. Two goals within little more than a minute swung the match back into a contest. Firstly, Robert Heneghan followed up after Conor Flaherty had saved Darragh Heneghan shot.
A storming run by Darragh Heneghan, a quick 1-2 with Colm Neary and a crisp finish by the former slashed the lead back to two but Paul Conroy quickly restored a semblance of order with a two-pointer. It has been an end-to end contest and Galway despite eight wides have done enough to lead at the break.
Roscommon will remember they trailed by the same amount in the semi-final against Mayo but dominated the second half to win well. They have a lot of quality on the bench and Galway will need to tighten up at the back to stay on top."
Look at the pace of Darragh Heneghan slicing through the Galway defence for Roscommon’s second goal.
Half-time: Roscommon 2-8 Galway 1-14
Will a three-point lead be enough for Galway with Roscommon playing with the wind in the second half?
34 Mins: Rob Finnerty gets a great turnover, feeds Walsh, and he kicks it over from well outside the 45′. Roscommon 2-8 Galway 1-14
32 Mins: Senan Lambe and Darragh Heneghan combine well for the latter to score another point. Conroy scuffs another two-point attempt. Roscommon 2-8 Galway 1-12
30 Mins: Galway go through a slow attack waiting for the right shot, but Conroy ends up taking a shot on his left boot from outside the arc. Galway finally win a poor short kickout and Dylan McHugh pops it over. Roscommon 2-7 Galway 1-12
27 Mins: Finnerty and Walsh have missed two difficult shots in a row for Galway, and the Tribesmen have been allowing Roscommon to get away short kickouts. The Galway crowd are incensed by frees given by Hurson for Roscommon, but the latest is a clear trip on Darragh Heneghan. Murtagh drops his shot short though. Roscommon 2-7 Galway 1-11
25 Mins: Murtagh should have had a goal, blasting his effort over the bar in the end. That chance came from a Heneghan run through the defence again. Then Keith Doyle adds a point of his own. Roscommon 2-7 Galway 1-11
23 Mins: Dylan Ruane gets a great score, kicking the ball forward and then getting the return for a tap over the bar. Himself and Darragh Heneghan are able to slice the Galway defence wide open from wing-forward. Roscommon 2-5 Galway 1-11
22 Mins: GOAL for Roscommon! Darragh Heneghan skins his man, plays a one-two with Colm Neary and flicks it into the bottom corner. Then from the kickout, Paul Conroy takes matters into his own hands, fetching the ball up high and kicking a two-pointer. Roscommon 2-4 Galway 1-11
20 Mins: Shane Walsh curls over a beauty of a two-pointer. Senan Lambe and Murtagh add scores for Roscommon, before Kieran Molly replies.
GOAL for Roscommon! A hand pass squeezes through into Darragh Heneghan whose effort was saved by Flaherty, but the rebound fell to Robert Heneghan to finish. Roscommon 1-4 Galway 1-9
Full-time: Offaly 0-24 Kilkenny 1-21
Offaly rescue a draw with a last-minute Eoghan Cahill free, but they might regret not turning this result and the Dublin draw into wins. Meanwhile, Kilkenny continue to struggle in the championship this year.
16 Mins: Paul Conroy gets a two-pointer from outside the 45-metre line. Then Galway turn Enda Smith over with some great teamwork and work it up for a Darcy point. Roscommon 0-2 Galway 1-4
13 Mins: Murtagh gets his second from a handy free after Roscommon work the ball up well, with a nice switch of play from Enda Smith. Roscommon 0-2 Galway 1-2
Ter Guinan and Killian Doyle both score as Offaly and Kilkenny trade blows again in the Leinster SHC. 71 Mins: Offaly 0-23 Kilkenny 1-20
10 Mins: Shane Walsh and Rob Finnerty both miss point attempts. Galway are kicking the ball forward very quickly and making chances effectively from it. Roscommon 0-1 Galway 1-2
68 Mins: Eoghan Cahill’s free has put Offaly back in front, but Cian Kenny responds straight away. Offaly 0-22 Kilkenny 1-19
7 Mins: Shane Walsh gets his first score with a 45′. Then Rob Finnerty gets a score from the ‘wrong side’ for a left footer after a great bit of fielding from Daniel O’Flaherty. Roscommon 0-1 Galway 1-1
Martin Keoghan has levelled things for Kilkenny, with only five minutes left. 65 Mins: Offaly 0-21 Kilkenny 1-18
4 Mins: Roscommon are attacking very directly so far, taking their men on. A goal chance trickles wide in the end ‚but against the wind they’re making chances. Roscommon 0-1 Galway 1-0
Kilkenny and Offaly are going score-for-score here. Fionán Mackessy gets one off the bench to leave just a point in it. 62 Mins: Offaly 0-21 Kilkenny 1-17
1 Mins: Roscommon are playing against the breeze in the first half.
GOAL for Galway! Céin Darcy plays a brilliant ball into Ryan Roche, who finds Finnerty to bury it into the bottom corner! Diarmuid Murtagh responds straight away. Roscommon 0-1 Galway 1-0
The anthem is being sung, so we’re nearly ready to go in the Hyde!
A Cian Kenny free levels matters. 55 Mins: Offaly 0-18 Kilkenny 1-15
Dylan Farrell hits the net for Longford, but Daniel Reynolds is then black-carded for the visitors. 48 Mins: Fermanagh 1-14 Longford 2-12
Three Eoghan Cahill frees see Offaly take a lead over the Cats. 51 Mins: Offaly 0-18 Kilkenny 1-14
Full-time: Carlow 2-26 Antrim 6-17
Antrim win a cracker in Cullen Park in their Tailteann Cup opener.
Seán Moran is in Dr Hyde Park for today’s Connacht final:
“A capacity crowd in Dr Hyde Park for Roscommon and Galway in the Connacht final. A fine dry afternoon, as Roscommon look to win a senior provincial title at home for the first time since 2001. Their team shows no changes but Galway show two: Kieran Molloy replaces centre back John Daly and Ryan Roche comes in for left corner forward Liam Ó Conghaile.”
Still just a point in it in Tullamore as the second half gets going. 40 Mins: Offaly 0-12 Kilkenny 1-10
Teams for today’s Connacht final:
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Patrick Gavin, Caelim Keogh, Eoin McCormack; Eoin Ward, Ronan Daly, Senan Lambe; Keith Doyle, Conor Ryan; Dylan Ruane, Enda Smith, Darragh Heneghan; Diarmuid Murtagh, Colm Neary, Robert Heneghan.
Galway: Conor Flahety; John McGrath, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Daniel O’Flaherty, Cillian McDaid, Céin Darcy; Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Ryan Roche.
Second half of extra-time; 3 mins: Carlow 2-24 Antrim 5-16
Leinster SHC, half-time: Offaly 0-11 Kilkenny 1-9
Despite Kilkenny’s goal, Offaly are still well in this one.
Here’s Ian O’Riordan’s view on the second half of the Munster final, as Kerry were crowned champions again:
“Full-time: Kerry 1-23, Cork 1-15.
Kerry brushed aside Cork in the second half to win their sixth successive Munster football title, David Clifford’s goal just over three minutes into the second half proving the game-changer. Clifford finished with 1-6, 1-5 from play, in another man-of-the-match display, though Kerry had plenty more standout players this afternoon.
Cork did briefly get themselves back in the game with 10 minutes left to play when Brian O’Driscoll sent a rifle of a shot into the top left corner of the net. When Conor Corbett then scored from play, they got it back to a two-point game, but were unable to score again, Kerry finishing with 11 different scorers, including Tony Brosnan, Killian Spillane, Gavin White and Dylan Geaney all off the bench."
Tailteann Cup update:
Full-time: Waterford 0-10 London 5-12
Extra-time, 2 mins: Carlow 2-22 Antrim 5-16
72 Mins: Laois 1-22 Wicklow 0-19
Half-time: Fermanagh 1-9 Longford 1-10
Full-time: Kerry 1-23 Cork 1-15
Kerry have won their sixth Munster Championship in a row, after Cork scored only 1-2 in the second half.
GOAL for Kilkenny! An unlikely scorer for the Cats as Mikey Casey hits the back of the net. 25 Mins: Offaly 0-8 Kilkenny 1-7
68 Mins: Dylan Geaney plays a lovely ball into Killian Spillane for a Kerry score. Clifford gets a handy one after Ian Maguire breaches the three-up rule. Kerry 1-21 Cork 1-15
65 Mins: David Clifford hares through and Tony Brosnan ends up on the end of the move to put four back in it. Kerry 1-19 Cork 1-15
64 Mins: Sherlock nearly made up for his previous efforts with a two point effort, but it hits the post and Kerry bring it up for a point through Dylan Geaney. Kerry 1-18 Cork 1-15
A TJ Reid frees brings Kilkenny level in Tullamore. 17 Mins: Offaly 0-6 Kilkenny 0-6
62 Mins: Subsitute David Buckley gets a good score to put two in it. Kerry 1-17 Cork 1-15
61 Mins: Sherlock is having a half to forget, dropping a terrible effort short on his left. Diarmuid O’Connor blares an effort way wide at the other end. Kerry 1-17 Cork 1-14
Carlow and Antrim have gone to extra-time in the Tailteann Cup. Carlow 2-22 Antrim 4-16
Three points in a row for Offaly levels the game in Leinster again. 12 Mins: Offaly 0-5 Kilkenny 0-5
59 Mins: WHAT A GOAL! Brian O’Driscoll comes in from the wing and cracks one just under the crossbar. Kerry 1-17 Cork 1-14
58 Mins: Kerry turn Cork over again, isoldating O’Callaghan and surrounding him. Then Gavin White gets up to sixth gear and burns through the Cork defence for a fisted point. Kerry 1-17 Cork 0-14
56 Mins: Steven Sherlock forces a shot and hits another wide. The game is in an odd place at the minute, with Cork unable to score and Kerry seemingly unable to put their foot on Cork’s throat. Kerry 1-16 Cork 0-14
Tailteann Cup round-up:
65 Mins: Carlow 2-18 Antrim 4-14
38 Mins: Laois 1-16 Wicklow 0-7
46 Mins: Waterford 0-5 London 4-4
4 Mins: Fermanagh 0-3 Longford 0-1
54 Mins: Seán O’Brien hits the deck very hard from a kickout he won cleanly, so there’s a break in play. Kerry 1-16 Cork 0-14
Dan Bourke and Cian Kenny exchange points in the first minute of the Leinster SHC game, before Brian Duignan gets a score to put Offaly ahead. 2 Mins: Offaly 0-2 Kilkenny 0-1
52 Mins: Kennedy pops over a free in between two misses by Clifford which he would normally get handily. Kerry 1-16 Cork 0-14
Offaly-Kilkenny is about to throw-in in Tullamore.
48 Mins: Mike Breen wanders through for a half-chance of a goal, but he settles for a point. Cork are really struggling to win their kickouts into the breeze. Kerry 1-15 Cork 0-14
47 Mins: Mark Cronin finally scores Cork’s first point of the second half. Kerry 1-14 Cork 0-14
45 Mins: Cork complain of a breach by Kerry, but it’s not spotted and Clifford curls over a two-pointer from a mile out. Cork work a good chance, but Paul Walsh is swallowed up in the box and called for overcarrying. Kerry 1-14 Cork 0-13
Carlow have come roaring back into their Tailteann Cup fixture against Antrim. 52 Mins: Carlow 2-14 Antrim 3-14
40 Mins: Sherlock drags a really poor effort short and wide. They’re struggling badly with the wind down there. Brosnan shows no such reluctance, sending his man to the shop with a dummy solo and popping over a point. Kerry 1-12 Cork 0-13
38 Mins: GOAL for Kerry! Tony Brosnan feeds Clifford, who skin O’Mahony, dummies a shot to beat the ‘keeper and then blasts it beyond the Cork men on the line. Kerry 1-11 Cork 0-13
37 Mins: Tony Brosnan skips away from Luke Fahy and curls over a brilliant score to announce his arrival. Cork make a half-goal chance but Murphy stops it easily. Kerry 0-11 Cork 0-13
36 Mins: Gavin White and Tony Brosnan have come on for Kerry. Cork win the throw-in and work it up slowly, only for Paul Walsh to balloon one way wide. Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-13
Here’s Ian O’Riordan’s view in Killarney at half-time:
“Cork certainly hit the hard ground in Killarney running, striking Kerry with three three-pointers in the opening 11 minutes, racing into a 0-8 to 0-3 lead. First Brian O’Driscoll, followed by Mark Cronin, and then Seán McDonnell taking the honours from outside the arc.
Cork did have the stiff May breeze in their back, but could not quite retain that sort of momentum until the break. David Clifford hit three from play, twice linking up with Diarmuid O’Connor, and when Paudie Clifford got in on the scoring action, Kerry were right back in it. David Clifford also had one clear-cut goal chance on 17 minutes, Patrick Doyle saving from close range.
Keith Evans then levelled it on 25 minutes, 0-9 apiece, and while Cork did outscore Kerry four points to one from there, the sense is Cork would have liked to be a little further up the road than 0-13 to 0-10 at the break."
Kerry didn’t have a single attempt a two-pointer in that first half. That’s likely because of a fair breeze blowing towards the other goal.
Tipperary have recorded a great win in their first game of the Tailteann Cup. Full-time: Sligo 1-12 Tipperary 0-17
Half-time: Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-13
34 Mins: Mark Cronin drops his shoulder, faking a two-point effort and scampers inside the arc for a point. Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-13
33 Mins: Nearly a goal for Cork, as Chris Óg Jones hits a low effort towards the bottom corner. It’s blocked by the leg of Burns, and Steven Sherlock gets a point from the 45′. Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-12
31 Mins: Seán O’Brien gets a great turnover on O’Callaghan, hitting him hard and fair when a Cork score looked likely. Tomás Kennedy has an effort down the other end, which is waved wide, but the full-forward is convinced went over. Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-11
29 Mins: Should have been a goal for Kerry! Armin Heinrich gets the ball in a three-on-one, but doesn’t use Burns or Kennedy either side of him, and blasts it over. Kerry 0-10 Cork 0-11
26 Mins: Mike Breen gets a short kickout from Murphy, but can’t pick it up and fouls the ball. Sherlock hits the two-point-free short though, and Jones can’t get a score from the rebound. Kerry 0-9 Cork 0-11
26 Mins: Colm O’Callaghan gets a great score after winning a kickout, ploughing through a couple of Kerry tacklers and linking up with O’Driscoll to get the score. O’Callaghan and Dylan Casey are both getting attention after a clash of heads. Gavin White is on for Casey. Kerry 0-9 Cork 0-11
25 Mins: Keith Evans absolutely torches his man for pace and pops over a lovely score. He’s playing really well so far. Cork win the kickout and work it up to Chris Óg Jones, and they finally get another point. Kerry 0-9 Cork 0-10
23 Mins: Brian O’Driscoll continues Cork’s scoreless streak with a wil attempt from inside the arc. Kerry have wrestled back control of their kickouts now. Paudie Clifford tries a shot that goes just wide after some nice movement from the half-forward. Kerry 0-8 Cork 0-9
21 Mins: Tomás Kennedy gets his first score of the game from a free. Kerry 0-8 Cork 0-9
18 Mins: Patrick Doyle saves an effort from David Clifford handily. Kerry win it back though, and Micheál Burns gets his first score from a tight angle. Kerry 0-7 Cork 0-9
16 Mins: The two Cliffords each get a point to settle Kerry down. David Clifford nearly had a goal chance, but his effort flew over. Mark Cronin chips over the first handy free of the game. Kerry 0-6 Cork 0-9
Tipperary continue to lead in Sligo in the Tailteann Cup. 53 Mins: Sligo 1-6 Tipperary 0-15
12 Mins: Armin Heinrich gets a load of space on the wing and scores his first ever championship point. Mark Cronin has another effort from outside the arc and it goes harmlessly wide. Kerry 0-4 Cork 0-8
10 Mins: Diarmuid O’Connor breaks a line for Kerry, but is met by Brian O’Driscoll, who nails him with a fair shoulder. The ball is won back, fed to Seán McDonnell and he pops over a two-pointer. Looks to be a fair wind behind cork. Kerry 0-3 Cork 0-8
8 Mins: Clifford sneeks in behind O’Mahony and curls over another point. Kerry 0-3 Cork 0-6
7 Mins: David Clifford gets his first score of the game after good linkup with Evans. Kerry 0-2 Cork 0-6
6 Mins: The first ball into Clifford is a poor one and is broken up. Cork build up more slowly this time, and the ball is worked out to Mark Cronin who blasts over a two-pointer. Great start by the Rebels. Kerry 0-1 Cork 0-6
4 Mins: Good tackling sees Cork win the ball back, and it’s played up quickly to Chris Óg Jones, who curls a left-footed effort over the bar. Kerry 0-1 Cork 0-4
3 Mins: Brian O’Driscoll gets Cork’s first score of the game from outside the arc. He got plenty of those in their game last year. Shane Murphy dribbles his first kickout for a sideline and Steven Sherlock curls in a beauty from the kick. It’s just inside the 21-yard-line, so it’s a one-pointer. Kerry 0-1 Cork 0-3
1 Min: After a bit of confusion about which end the hosts are shooting into is cleared up, the Munster final is underway! The atmosphere sounds brilliant. Kerry build things up slowly in the first play, eventually isolating Keith Evans, who pops over the first score of the game. Kerry 0-1 Cork 0-0
The parade has continued on an awful long time now, so throw-in is a little delayed. Ian O’Riordan brings us his update just before the start in Killarney:
“It’s a blissful day for the Munster football final in Killarney, Fitzgerald Stadium drenched in perfect May sunshine and looking every bit the most resplendent sporting playground in the country. There is one late change on the Kerry team with captain Paul Geaney ruled out with injury, Tomás Kennedy starting in his place at full forward. It means Kerry start with only seven of last year’s All-Ireland winning starting team.
Cork are unchanged as they seek a first Munster title since 2012, and a first championship win over Kerry in Killarney since 1995. Kerry are going for a sixth title in a row, having won the last 13 of the 14 Munster titles, and not losing to Cork in a Munster final since 2008."
Fitzgerald Stadium looks a lot fuller than it has been for recent Munster finals.
Here are the starting lineups for the Munster final. Paul Geaney is the only change to the teams that were named earlier this week, with Tomás Kennedy stepping in for the injured veteran.
Kerry: Shane Murphy; Evan Looney, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Tadgh Morley, Michael Breen, Armin Heinrich; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Micheál Burns, Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor; David Clifford, Tomás Kennedy, Keith Evans
Cork: Patrick Doyle; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony, Seán Meehan; Brian O’Driscoll, Tommy Walsh, Luke Fahy; Colm O’Callaghan, Ian Maguire; Paul Walsh, Seán McDonnell, Ruairí Deane; Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, Steven Sherlock
Only 25 minutes until throw-in for Cork-Kerry. A resurgent Cork team come to Kerry once again as underdogs in a Munster final, but this time with a realistic chance of winning. Gordon Manning looks at the Rebels as they look to break a 30-year winless streak in Killarney.
[Cork return to Killarney hoping to finally break Kerry hoodoo]
Tipp have continued their good start away in Markievicz Park in the Tailteann Cup. 24 Mins: Sligo 0-4 Tipperary 0-9
It’s been a free-scoring start in Ruislip in the Joe McDonagh Cup. 7 Mins: London 0-3 Antrim 0-4
In today’s early throw-in in the Tailtean Cup, Tipperary have made a good start thanks to a couple of two-pointers. 8 Mins: Sligo 0-1 Tipperary 0-6
Kilkenny have not enjoyed a good 2026 so far, by their lofty standards. The Cats have already suffered two huge defeats to Galway, and Nicky English sees them having a tricky time of it in Offaly today. English fancies the giants of Munster far more in the Liam McCarthy race.
[Hurling championship: Who is currently leading the pack? Nicky English gives his verdict]
Conor McManus’ home county is back into the Ulster final after a dramatic finish in the Athletic Grounds last Saturday. He looks ahead to the provincial finals, even in a season where winning them seems not to matter in the grand scheme of the championship.
[Monaghan v Derry had one of the most unbelievable finishes to a game you’ll ever see]
It’s been a fantastic season so far for Galway corner-forward Rob Finnerty, who has shone with the big names of Comer and Walsh sidelined so far in 2026. Malachy Clerkin looks into his fine form ahead of the Connacht final.
[Rob Finnerty moves out of the shadows of Shane Walsh and Damien Comer as Galway’s leader]
One cloud over today’s Munster and Connacht football finals is the fact that the draw has already been made for the first round of the All-Ireland series. Darragh Ó Sé is one of a number of voices who have spoken out about the poor timing of the draw and how it diminishes today’s finals, especially now that Kerry have been drawn against Donegal in two weeks’ time.
[Darragh Ó Sé: All-Ireland draw should never have been held the week of provincial finals]
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s championship action. The first two provincial finals of the season will be played in football, with the Munster and Connacht crowns at stake. First, Kerry look to defend their title against a resurgent Cork (1.45pm), who are seeking their first Munster title in 14 years. Even with the Donegal clash on the horizon, Kerry will be keen to get their hands on the newly named Corn Pháidí Uí Shé.
The Nestor Cup will be contested between Roscommon and Galway at Dr Hyde Park at 4.15pm. Galway are looking to get their hands on a fifth Connacht championship in a row under Pádraic Joyce. Roscommon haven’t won the title since 2019, but won their semi-final against Mayo by ten points and have home advantage for today’s final.
Elsewhere, Kilkenny look to get their second win of the Leinster hurling championship as they take on Offaly (3pm), who need points after drawing with Dublin and losing to Galway. The first round of the Tailteann Cup also continues with five more games and there’s also one game in the Joe McDonagh Cup in hurling.
