The destination of the championship was eventually decided at Ballydesmond on Saturday, when Cork overcame Kerry after extra time.

On this occasion it was Cork who came from behind and an injury-time point from Gary Murphy saw them grab an equaliser.

Kerry dominated the exchanges early on and led 0-8 to 0-2 after 22 minutes. However, Cork narrowed the gap with some excellent points from Sean O'Regan and trailed 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time.

In a grandstand finish, points from O'Regan and then Murphy sent the game into extra time.

Cork were in complete control in extra time and they won back the trophy they last held in 1998.

Cork: K Murphy; P Goggin, P Deane, A O'Sullivan; D Lyons, T O'Sullivan, J Carey; D Dingibhin, T Lehane (0-4); S O'Regan (0-8), E Buckley (0-2), G Murphy (0-3); G O'Connell (0- 1), V Hurley (0-1), S Farr. Subs: S Harrington for D Lyons, J Collins for A O'Sullivan, T Collins for J Carey, M O Laochdha for Hurley.

Kerry: M Moriarty; M Sheehan, P Mahony, B McCarthy (0-1); D Walsh, E Lawlor, A Flynn (0-1); S Scanlon (0-1), S O'Sullivan; Declan O'Sullivan (0-1), J Fitzgerald (0-2), M Ferriter (0-1); P Mc- Carthy (0-1), D Long (0-5), M Conway (0-1). Subs: J Corriden (0-1) for M Conway, Donal O'Sullivan for P McCarthy, P McCarthy for Declan O'Sullivan, M Conway for M Ferriter.

Referee: M Walsh (Limerick).