Kevin Griffin powers Kerry to third consecutive Munster minor title with victory over Cork

Irish Examiner

23-05-2025

Munster MFC final: Kerry 0-18 Cork 0-9
A professional first half display against the elements, aided by an attacking tour-de-force from influential full-forward Kevin Griffin, inspired Kerry to a deserved three-in-a-row of provincial minor football titles against a wasteful Cork at Austin Stack Park.
This Munster decider in Tralee was virtually done and dusted by the half-time break, with the Rebels four points adrift (0-8 to 0-4) having failed to take advantage of the breeze at their backs. A tally of 11 wides, to six, over the hour told the story.
From the Kingdom's perspective, without hitting any superlative heights, they were reliable and consistent at the back, energetic and combative around the middle and, with the flame-haired Griffin leading the line with eight points, they had the extra attacking firepower.
With Cork having the wind from the throw-in, they would have been hoping to make a positive start. However, with wing-back Danny Murphy opening the scoring, and Ben Kelliher adding a free, it was Kerry who began brightest.
With the midfield exchanges being tightly contested, Ben Corkery Delaney's physical presence around the centre helping Cork to settle, points from Eoin Maguire (free), and the afore-mentioned Carrigaline man, had the sides at parity after six minutes.
That was still the scenario a the first-quarter mark (0-3 apiece), but, thanks to the voracious appetite of Alex Tuohy to garner breaking ball and, with Mark O'Carroll and Maidhc Ó Sé working like demons, the hosts gained a form of control.
At the same time, the Rebels were not without their scoring opportunities, but their finishing was of the profligate variety. Kerry were that bit more clinical, White (free), Kelliher and O'Carroll opening up a three-point lead (0-6 to 0-3).
Keith Ricken's charges badly needed a goal, and they almost got one in the 23rd minute, when Corkery Delaney cut through the heart of the Kingdom defence before forcing Ruairí Kennedy into a superb save. Excellent anticipatory defending by David Sargent prevented the rebound from being buried.
Impressive full-back Eoghan Joy made another excellent block shortly after, and two excellent points from Griffin (one off the right, one off the left), gave Kerry a four-point cushion at the interval (0-8 to 0-4), with a magnificent block by Cork wing-back Eoin Looney prevented White from netting.
To be fair, despite the early boost on the resumption of a Griffin two-point free, Kerry didn't pull up any trees in the third quarter. The wayward shooting began to also affect the hosts, and Cork were still in contention entering the final quarter (0-11 to 0-7).
With Tadhg O'Connell making a significant impact off the bench, and the towering Griffin kicking a splendid two-pointer from play off the outside of his right boot, the Kingdom finally put the foot on the accelerator, quickly pulling nine points clear (0-16 to 0-7).
The outstanding Tuohy had gone off injured at that juncture, with Cork losing centre-back Cathal McCarthy to a straight red card in the 54th minute. Despite the best efforts of Corkery Delaney, there was no way back, Wayne Quillinan's side sealing the win through O'Connell and White (free).
Scorers for Kerry: K Griffin 0-8 (1tpf, 1tp, 0-1f), B Kelliher 0-3 (0-2fs), G White 0-3(fs), T O'Connell 0-2, D Murphy, M O'Carroll 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: E Maguire 0-4 (0-2fs), B Corkery Delaney 0-3 (0-1f), T Whooley, E Ger O'Sullivan 0-1 each.
KERRY: R Kennedy (Kerins O'Rahillys); R Sheridan (Duagh), E Joy (Ballymacelligott), T Ó Slatara (Churchill); D Murphy (Listry), D Sargent (John Mitchels), M Clifford (Fossa); M Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), J Curtin (Ballyduff); M O'Carroll (Dr Crokes), G White (John Mitchels), A Tuohy (Austin Stacks); N Lacey (Kerins O'Rahillys), K Griffin (St Michael's/Foilmore), B Kelliher (Dr Crokes).
Subs: T O'Connell (Tarbert) for Lacey (46), P Ó Mainnín (Lispole) for Tuohy, inj (50), C McGibney (Churchill) for Clifford (54), J Kissane (Moyvane) for Ó Sé (57), T O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for Griffin (59).
CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); B Coffey (Clonakilty), A Keane (Kinsale), M Kiernan (Carrigaline); E Looney (Lyre), C McCarthy (St Colum's), B Cronin (Ballincollig); S Kelleher Leavy (Macroom), R Hayes (Carbery Rangers); T Whooley (Clonakilty), D Flynn (Argideen Rangers), N O'Callaghan (Castlehaven); S O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue), B Corkery Delaney (Carrigaline), E Maguire (Castlehaven).
Subs: J Miskella (Ballincollig) for O'Sullivan (ht), E Ger O'Sullivan (Clyda Rovers) for O'Callaghan (38), J O'Leary (Ballinascarthy) for Looney (38), J Hanrahan (Mitchelstown) for Kelleher Leavy (54), L O'Mahony (Ballincollig) for Whooley (59).
Referee: T McGrath (Limerick).