Munster SFC: Keane strikes late to send Kingdom packing

November 08, 2020

Cork's Kevin Flahive celebrates with goalkeeper Micheal Martin. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Cork 1-12

Kerry 0-13

(After extra-time)

Kerry have been sensationally knocked out of the Sam Maguire Cup race after a Mark Keane goal with the last kick of the game handed Cork a dramatic extra-time victory at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

There were shades of Tadhg Murphy's famous late goal in 1983 when the substitute - making his first appearance for Cork since returning from the AFL where he plays with Collingwood - didn't give up on a wayward point attempt from fellow sub Luke Connolly and finished to the net to give the Rebels their first championship victory over Kerry in eight years and earn them a place in the Munster SFC final against Tipperary in a fortnight's time.

Connolly's 91st minute kick from the left hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity, but Keane never took his eye off the ball and showed great strength to hold off his marker on the edge of the small square before firing home. Kerry, who many considered to be Dublin's main rivals for the All-Ireland this year, were shell-shocked and didn't have time to respond as a mediocre contest played in wet conditions ended in extraordinary fashion.

Having plied their trade in Division 3 of the Allianz League this year, Cork came into this provincial semi-final as big outsiders, but they didn't read the script and scored the last two points in normal time to force extra-time.

Kerry captain David Clifford, who was expected to light up this year's championship, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but last year's All-Ireland runners-up then wasted a number of chances before Brian Hurley equalised from a 'mark'. Cork 'keeper Micheál Martin saved from Brian Ó Beaglaioch, only for Ronan Buckley to send the rebound over and give Kerry a 0-2 to 0-1 lead at the first water break.

Mark Collins levelled in the 19th minute before Clifford and Sean Powter traded points. Dara Moynihan and Clifford (free) then put Peter Keane's men two up for the first time, but the Rebels hit back with three unanswered points from Mark Collins (free), Killian O'Hanlon ('45) and Kevin O'Donovan to led by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.

Tony Brosnan and O'Hanlon (free) swapped points after the restart before Kerry lost Buckley to a black card in the 50th minute for a foul on Ian Maguire. Despite their numerical disadvantage, substitute Killian Spillane brought the visitors level before a Mark Collins' free restored the home side's advantage.

The Kingdom then hit a purple patch which yielded two points from Sean O'Shea (one free) and another from Spillane. However, Connolly left the minimum in it before Powter did brilliantly to win a free-in in the 73rd minute after his initial shot was blocked and Collins converted to tie up the scoring at 0-10 apiece and send the game to extra-time.

Despite playing most of the first period of extra-time with 14 players after David Moran was black-carded at the end of normal time, the visitors looked to have done enough after points from Clifford and Spillane (two) edged them back in front.

But there was still time for one final twist.

Cork - M A Martin; K O’Donovan (0-1), M Shanley, K Flahive; S Meehan, S Powter (0-1), M Taylor; I Maguire, P Walsh; J O’Rourke, K O’Hanlon (0-2, 1f, 1'45), R Deane; M Collins (0-4, 3f), C O’Callaghan, B Hurley (0-1m). Subs: M Keane (1-0) for C O’Callaghan, L Connolly (0-3, 2f) for J O’Rourke, M Hurley for P Walsh, P Kerrigan for B Hurley, S White for K O’Donovan, P Ring for K Flahive, T Corkery for S Powter, K O’Driscoll for I Maguire, D Gore for K O’Hanlon.

Kerry - S Ryan; J Foley, T Morley, T O’Sullivan; P Murphy, P Crowley, G White; D Moran, D O’Connor; B O Beaglaioch, S O’Shea (0-2, 1f), R Buckley (0-1); T Brosnan (0-1), D Clifford (0-4, 1f), D Moynihan (0-1). Subs: S O’Brien for D Moynihan, K Spillane (0-4) for T Brosnan, J Barry for B O Beaglaioch, J Sherwood for R Buckley, G Crowley for G White, B O Beaglaioch for T O’Sullivan, T Walsh for J Foley, P Clifford for D O’Connor.

Referee - D O’Mahoney.


Most Read Stories