Hot favourites Kerry, had to come from six points down at one stage in the first half, before overwhelming Cork in the second period of the Munster Minor Football Championship final at Pβirc U∅ Chaoimh yesterday. It was to win their 35th minor title and their first since 1998.

The bookies priced Kerry 1/3 to deny Cork a third title on the trot, but it was the home side who played like the form side early on as they completely dominated the early stages. Cork led 0-4 to 0-3 after 11 minutes and then added 0-5 without reply as Kerry struggled.

When Fergus Murphy made it 0-10 to 0-4 three minutes before the interval it was no more than Cork deserved. Kerry's comeback started in those closing moments of the half as scores from full forward Declan O'Sullivan and Colm Cooper cut the deficit to 0-10 to 0-6.

Whatever was said in the Kerry dressing room at half-time certainly had the desired effect because the Kingdom they were a transformed team on the resumption, despite playing into the stiff wind.

They took charge of the game from the re-start, man of the match O'Sullivan pointing the way inside 60 seconds and by the three-quarter stage Kerry had managed to reel in Cork's lead. A point by namesake Declan O'Sullivan, playing at left half forward, levelled matters at 0-10 each to 0-10 as the Cork defence came under fierce pressure.

Substitute Donal Kelliher edged Kerry in front for only the second time before Cork finally scored-a free from Paul Moylan, their first in a Paul Moylan free gave Cork their first score for 21 minutes.

It was only a temporary respite, though, for Kerry added points from Conal ╙ Cruadhlaioch and two from full forward O'Sullivan to go 0-15 to 0-11 ahead entering injury-time. A late free by David Burns cut the gap to three points.