Round-up: Kerry and Cork to contest McGrath Cup Final

Tony Brosnan of Kerry in action against Darach Ó Cathasaigh of Waterford during the McGrath Cup match between Kerry and Waterford at Dr Crokes Park in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
McGrath Cup round 3

Group A: Kerry 1-27 Waterford 0-1

Group B: Cork 0-15 Limerick 3-11

By Stephen Barry, Páirc Uí Rinn

Cork and Kerry will meet in the McGrath Cup final next Saturday, despite an experimental Rebel team falling to a 3-11 to 0-15 defeat against Limerick.

James Naughton kicked 2-5 and Jack McCarthy grabbed the other goal in a valuable Treaty tune-up for their Division 3 campaign.

In wet and windy conditions, the Páirc Uí Rinn floodlights were called upon before 3pm such was the gloom.

Conall Ó Duinn was the Treaty’s star man until his half-time withdrawal, kicking two points and creating two goal chances. For the sixth-minute breakthrough, the Monaleen wing-back’s backdoor cut was picked out by Killian Ryan before squaring for McCarthy to palm home.

The Rebels scored four in a row to lead as Conor Daly slotted his third point and David Buckley equalled that tally with a one- and two-point free; the latter for a 4v3 breach.

Darragh Newman saved from Naughton to preserve their 0-8 to 1-4 half-time lead.
Wing-back Darragh Cashman advanced for three early points, with Limerick slotting four in a row in between.

In the 48th minute, they had their second goal. From an advanced turnover, Danny Neville’s speed created the overlap for Naughton to fire off the far post and into the net.

They led 2-10 to 0-12, but Cork came back with two Daly frees and a Paddy O’Driscoll point. Limerick made their win safe at the death with a Naughton free, advanced 50 metres for delaying a solo-and-go, followed by a last-gasp goal, teed up by Neville.

Meanwhile, Kerry cruised to a 1-27 to 0-1 victory over Waterford at Dr Crokes Park.

Tony Brosnan was in outstanding form on his home patch, scoring 1-15, including three two-pointers, two two-point frees, and two one-point frees.

Playing with the wind, Kerry led 0-20 to 0-1 at half-time. They registered six orange flags, with Cillian Trant adding to Brosnan’s quintet.

The Crokes star hit the net after the break following a neat passing exchange with Darragh Lyne.