Gaelic Games

Munster Under-21 semi-finals: Kerry and Cork reach decider

Limerick test the Kingdom with Jack O’Connor forced to empty his bench for the win

Kerry’s Killian Spillane was the star man as they reached the Munster Under-21 final on Wednesday night. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Kerry’s Killian Spillane was the star man as they reached the Munster Under-21 final on Wednesday night. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Wed Mar 16 2016 - 22:29

Kerry got a major scare from Limerick in their Munster Under-21 semi-final played at the Austin Stack Park Tralee on Wednesday evening.

Only late points from substitute Jordan Kiely of Dr Crokes and one from midfield powerhouse Barry O’Sullivan, prevented a major shock.

In fact if Limerick had Killian Spillane in their ranks, they would have won this game, and Jack O'Connor has a lot of work to do before his team face Cork in the final.

Kerry were fortunate to lead 0-7 to 0-5 at half time, but it was Limerick who made an explosive start to the second half, when centre forward Killian Ryan wriggled his way inside a static Kerry defence and finished superbly to the net.

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Kerry were clearly rattled but responded within minutes when Tony Brosnan finished a Jack Savage pass to raise a green flag - but they could never quite shake off a gutsy Limerick side.

Limerick then scored a second goal in 39th minute from Brian Fanning to lead 2-6 to 1-8, forcing Jack O’Connor to empty his bench.

Spillane looked a class apart as he ended with 0-5 from play, but it was Kiely who scored the vital late points and secured this victory.One that was a little too close for comfort for the Kingdom.

Meanwhile Cork steamrolled their way into a sixth successive Munster final after dismissing a Waterford side which endured its latest demoralising reversal at this grade.

Leading by eight points at the break without reply from Waterford, who didn’t break their duck until the 48th minute, a rampant Cork picked off a series of fine scores, with all their starting forwards clocking up scores from play. Goals from Don O’Driscoll, Brian Coakley and Michael Hurley compounded Waterford’s misery, on a night when Jason Curry proved the hosts’ only scorer in front of 581 patrons.

For the record, Waterford, have lost their last two matches at this grade on a combined aggregate score of 5-29 to 0-5 and haven’t won an Under-21 Championship match since 2006. For Cork, fresh from a 0-23 to 0-8 win over Clare the previous midweek, they’ll relish the challenge Kerry shall undoubtedly present come April 7th.

Munster Under-21 semi-finals:

Kerry 1-14 Limerick 2-8

Waterford 0-2 Cork 3-18