MUNSTER MFC FINAL: Cork 1-8 Kerry 1-7 A 58TH-MINUTE goal from brilliant corner forward Brian Hurley was enough to snatch victory for Cork minors at windswept Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
The finish was sublime by man- of-the-match Hurley, who finished with 1-6 as Cork reclaimed the title for the first time since 2007.
Cork just about deserved to win but Kerry fought back well against the wind and once Mark Reen fired over a goal and a point in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, they moved four points clear and looked likely winners.
However, Cork had the physical edge and with John O’Rourke, Jamie Burns, and substitute Danny Fitzgerald refusing to wilt, they had Kerry on the back foot, despite the outstanding work of Kerry full back David Culhane, James Walsh, Éanna O’Connor and Reen.
Controversy reigned in the 54th minute when Kerry had a Gavin O’Grady goal disallowed. This gave Cork hope and, trailing by two points, Danny Fitzgerald gained possession and placed Hurley who, spotting goalkeeper McCarthy going to ground, dinked the ball over him and into the Kerry net to give his side victory.
Cork squandered numerous chances and their first-half tally of eight wides tells the tale as they trailed 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.
Kevin Sheehan from a free closed an early gap but Éanna O’Connor and James Walsh pushed Kerry 0-4 to 0-2 clear before Hurley pointed a late free.
CORK:D Hanrahan; K Fulignati , D Cahalane, D Murphy; S Ryan, T Clancy, J Wall; J Burns, J O'Rourke; K Hallissey (0-1), M Sugrue, A Cronin; K Sheehan (0-1, free), S Duggan, B Hurley (1-6, four frees). Subs: D Fitzgerald for Ryan (45 mins), D McEoin for Sugrue, S O'Mahony for Duggan ( both 50 mins).
KERRY:P McCarthy; P Kilkenny, D Culhane, F McNamara; J Walsh (0-1), L Bastible, J Hickson; D Somers, G Durant; M Reen (1-1), T Hickey, G OLeary; B O'Dwyer, E O'Connor (0-4, two frees), G O'Grady (0-1).
Subs:A Thompson for Kilkenny (inj, 6 mins), C O'Leary for Durant (25 mins), T Morley for Hickey ( 51 mins).
Referee:K O'Brien (Tipperary)
