Kerry 1-12

Cork 0-8

KERRY is back in the New York Senior A final after a one year absence where they will face the winners of the Down/ Leitrim semifinal. They used a brilliant second half performance where they outscored Cork by 1-8 to 0-3 to secure the victory.

Stephen Kavanagh was the mastermind with a personal total of 1-8. He had terrific help, however, in his defense. To give up three scores in a half of football is brilliant at this stage of the season. They will be short Ross Donovan for the final after he was sent off with a straight red after an altercation with Liam Hanley.

It was a niggling start to the outing with late hits and undignified slaps across the field. Kerry opened the scoring with a Kavanagh free after Dermie Foley was fouled and came up limping as a result.

Cork answered it with three consecutive points from Nicky Dineen frees. All taken from the floor as is his preference, he was clinical in punishing Kerry indiscretions.

The wind advantage was also helping Cork keep Kerry pinned deep, although Pat Mahoney didn't need the elements as he continually pulled down Kerry kick outs with brilliant catches. Such was his dominance that he received a kick when fouled after one in frustration by his marker. It just encouraged the big man to do more.

He was part of a three move that set Sean Lordon free. The former Cork county minor fisted over on the run for an 0-4 to 0-1 lead.

After Jimmy Gately was unlucky with a flick that went agonizingly wide Kerry came back into the game. They had three of the four points before the short whistle, with all coming from frees.

Kavanagh tapped over after a late challenge from Francie Cleary when the danger was averted, Kevin Walsh hit the floor from the foul, and Cleary was booked. When Donovan fired a free from the right over it came after Hanley was fouled.

Cork did reply with a Paudie Vaughan fisted point when he took his own rebound off the post and finished to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

Within a minute of the restart Kerry was level. It came from Colm O'Connor as he ghosted into the left corner and flicked over.

It was followed within minutes by a touch of magic from the magic man Kavanagh. He took a pass into the corner from Killanin club mate Darren Walsh, and after rounding his man he dispatched to the net. He followed it with a point to extend the lead to four.

Four points were swapped, but it kept Kerry in front by four despite the best efforts of Cork. Indeed Kerry pulled away with three further points from Kavanagh as the game was stopped continually with off the ball festivities.

Hanley and Donovan left together during one that was punished, but certainly quite a few others could have had the same result for the blatant disregard for the rules. Both teams were guilty.

Two huge Keith McMahon scores were some consolation for Cork, and they now had Mahoney stationed at full forward where they were attempting to drive long ball in his direction.

It was not successful, however. It was fitting that Kavanagh would have the final two points of the game to punctuate his personal brilliant performance that lead Kerry comfortably home.

For the winners, Damien Walsh, Anthony Glacken, Eoghan O'Mahoney who did well when introduced. Gearoid O'Sullivan, Colm O'Connor, who had some valuable moments, Kevin Walsh, who grafted hard throughout, and superstar Stephen Kavanagh who was tremendous were all reasons that Kerry are back in the county final.

Kavanagh is unmarkable singlehanded. He must be double teamed. Glacken is having an outstanding season on the square.

Cork had a man of the match contender in Dennis McCarthy. He gave a roasting to his opposite number. Paddy Harrington, Keith McMahon, who won the battle with Colm O'Connor - and it was a battle - were excellent.

Pat Mahoney had an unbelievable first half. His strength is amazing. Twice Declan Griffin hit him with shoulders to try and make a statement and ended up on the floor himself. Mahoney just kept playing regardless of the knocks. Nicky Dineen (first half), Francie Cleary before his removal due to a yellow card and John Fitzpatrick all tried hard.

Kerry: 1 Shane Clifford, 2 Damien Walsh, 3 Anthony Glacken, 4 Enda Lally, 5 Niall Corbett, 6 Ian Kelleher, 7 Darren Walsh, 8 Declan Griffin, 9 Dave McSweeney, 10 Kevin Walsh, 11 Colm O'Connor (0-2), 12 Ross Donovan (0-1), 13 Dermie Foley, 14 Stephen Kavanagh (1-8), 15 Bingo O'Driscoll (0-1). Subs: Eoghan O'Mahoney, Kieran Bergin, Shane Carty, Collie Fearan, Gearoid O'Sullivan.

Cork: 1 Finbarr Flood, 2 Dennis McCarthy, 3 Niall Spain, 4 Paddy Harrington, 5 Derek Courtney, 6 Keith McMahon (0-2), 7 Liam Hanley, 8 Pat Mahoney, 9 Sean Lordon (0-1), 10 Ross Alcock, 11 John Fitzpatrick, 12 Francie Cleary, 13 Nicky Dineen (0-4), 14 Paudie Vaughan (0-1), 15 Jimmy Gately. Subs: Tommy Quaid, Shay Furlong, Noel Kearney.

Referee: Jimmy Naughton (Roscommon).

Man of the match: Stephen Kavanagh (Kerry).