In its 31st victory in the Munster U20 Football Championship, Kerry emerged triumphant, taking home the inaugural Noel Walsh Cup. This success followed a six-point win against Cork. The match played out in the sunlit Austin Stack Park was also witnessed by a crowd of 2,718 spectators.
Kerry’s electric performance in the start of the second half was truly game-changing, assuring them a place in the All-Ireland semi-final against Meath. Tomás Kennedy showcased his prowess by scoring a goal in an impressive 90 seconds, solidifying their lead with an insurmountable gap of 10 points supported by three additional scores.
One of the noticeable elements differentiating both teams was their efficiency in goal attempts. The Kerry defence deserves commendation for their outstanding work as it affected Cork’s performance, causing them to miss crucial goal opportunities at decisive moments. An example was provided by Hugh O’Connor who was blocked from scoring a potential 1-2 during the first half. Players like Rob Stack, Dara O’Callaghan, and Maidhcí Lynch were key in making these vital interventions.
Cork could only secure the first point through Ed Myers, and even then, he was frustrated by the defensive work of Charlie Keating. Following a series of successful kicks which included two spectacular scores from Daniel Kirby, Kerry boosted their points seemingly unhampered by Cork’s performance. By the end of the first quarter, the tally stood at 0-5 to 0-1.
Both teams evenly split eight points from the end of the first quarter to the halftime break. Despite the wind being in their favour, Cork didn’t take much advantage of it during the second half. Kerry managed to score their goal after Kennedy and Luke Crowley teamed up to outplay the opposition.
Two more goal opportunities were created by Kerry. The first one saw Eddie Healy being pushed off, while Gearóid Evans sent the next one soaring over the bar. This, accompanied by a brace from Dillon, gave Kerry a comfortable lead of 10; finishing at a score of 1-12 to 0-5.
For 14 minutes, Cork played a defensive game ensuring Kerry couldn’t score any points, while scoring four points themselves. Two of those points were thanks to O’Connor who gave goalkeeper Michael Tansley a run for his money with a goal attempt.
Ross Corkery managed to make his way past two players, setting up another scoring opportunity. Despite Sheedy being off-balance, he managed to score another point. During injury time, Micheál Maguire didn’t capitalise on his chance to score.
All six forwards from Kerry managed their names on the scoresheet, with two substitutes Ryan Diggin and Cathal Brosnan providing points from the bench that propelled their team to a victory.
Kerry team consisted of M Tansley, M Lynch, D O’Callaghan, G Evans (0-1), C Keating (0-1), C Lynch, D O’Connor, R Stack, E Healy, O Ferris (0-1), L Crowley (0-1), D Kirby (0-2), A Crowley (0-1), T Kennedy (1-0), C Dillon (0-6). Subs were R Diggin (0-1), A Segal, C Brosnan (0-1), P Lane, E Boyle.
As for Cork, their team had M O’Connell, M Óg O’Sullivan, C Molloy (0-1), G Daly, S Copps, D Buckley, D Twomey, R O’Shaughnessy (0-1), M McSweeney, D O’Brien (0-1), D Sheedy (0-2), J O’Neill, O Corcoran (0-1), H O’Connor (0-3), E Myers (0-1). Subs included G Kearney (0-1), R Corkery (0-1), S O’Connell, M Maguire, L O’Herlihy. N Quinn from Clare refereed the game.