A more astute Cork side kept both hands on their Munster minor title at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday but only just, as Kerry came very close to snatching it from them in the final minutes.

Ahead by 1-12 to 0-12 after 54 minutes, the Cork defence was subjected to almost non-stop pressure, with Kerry twice hitting the woodwork and substitute Michael Collins shooting wide from a few yards range with time almost up.

Cork, relieved to be still one point in front at that stage, broke up field and their outstanding performer Conrad Murphy, who finished with seven points, put the ball between the uprights for the insurance score.

Kerry had started well, taking the lead with a first-minute point from their man of the match Declan Quill. However, once James Master, John Collins and Murphy edged Cork 0-3 to 0-1 in front after eight minutes, Kerry never regained the initiative.

After 15 minutes Quill and DJ Fleming put them on level terms, but then came the all important score. Murphy was the instigator and corner forward David Burns shot past Shane O'Neill for the game's only goal.

At the halfway stage, Cork were in front 1-7 to 0-7. Kevin McMahon gave them a four-point advantage, but Kerry upped the tempo again and Mark O'Connor, Quill (two) and substitute Eugene McGrath had it all square at 1-8 to 0-11, but Cork finished just that bit stronger to hold on to their crown.

CORK: K Murphy; N O'Donovan, R Cahalane, B O'Regan; N O'Leary, E Bourke, P McCarthy; G McLoughlin, K Murphy; J Collins (0-1), C Murphy (0-7), C Brosnan; J Masters (0-2), K McMahon (0-1), D Burns (1-0). Subs: M O'Connor (0-1) for Masters, D Barron (0-1) for J Collins, B Hegarty for McLoughlin, P Deane for Cahalane, D O'Hare for O'Regan.

KERRY: S O'Neill; N Lynch, P O'Mahony, C O'Connor; TJ Hogan (0-1), B Teahan, E Kavanagh; S Scanlon, S O'Sullivan; D O'Sullivan, C O Cruadhlaioch, M O'Connor (0-2); C Cooper, D Quill (0-7), D J Fleming (0-3). Subs: E McGrath (0-1) for S O'Sullivan, M Collins for D O'Sullivan.

Referee: G Haugh (Limerick).