Dineen goal gets Kerry out of sticky situation

Kerry went to the dressing room three behind.

“We started very well with three points but we didn’t score again for ages. We found ourselves in a sticky situation. That goal was massive. It was a great ball across from Katie (Brosnan), something we’ve been working on. Emma went in very bravely for it.

“We had a massive second half. We had a lot in the tank and we used it. It’s been seven long years since we had the Munster Cup, so we are going to enjoy tonight.”

Quill also explained Cáit Lynch’s late withdrawal, and the role of sub Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh.

“Cáit pulled up in the warm-up. She warmed up again at half-time but it just wasn’t going to happen for her. Going forward, we want to get Cáit right, Hannah O’Donoghue right — she didn’t take part either.

“Louise was outstanding when she came on. It’s just squad rotation, that was our gameplan for this weekend. It might change for the All-Ireland series.”

Quill also praised the dedication of Danielle O’Leary and her handsome tally of 10 points.

“Danielle has been through the mill. She buried her granddad, who was a big supporter of hers, last weekend. She had exams to do. She has grabbed the bull by the horns since the league final when she didn’t start.”

Cork were in rude health in the first half, after which they led 0-10 to 1-4. Manager Shane Ronayne said the way they played for 20 minutes in the first-half was ‘outstanding and showed what they can do’.

“We have to learn from it. We knew Kerry were that bit ahead of us, they were dying for a Munster title. They probably have 12 or 13 of last year’s team. We had five starting.

“We didn’t recover from that goal before half-time. It sucked life out of us. That’s probably a lack of experience, you have a lot of leaders gone. Today won’t define us, we are building. Hopefully we will have a few of our injured players back the next day.”

Ronayne confirmed dual player Libby Coppinger looks set for a spell on the sideline.

“She has a bad hamstring injury. We are without her, and camogie is without her as well.”

Focus now turns to the upcoming All-Ireland championship with Cork in the same group as Galway and Laois, whilst the new Munster champions are up against Waterford and the winners of Sunday’s Ulster final between Armagh and Donegal.

Scorers for Kerry: D O’Leary (0-10, 0-1 free), E Dineen (2-0), L Ni Mhuircheartaigh (0-3, 0-2 frees), N Carmody (0-2).

Scorers for Cork: K Quirke (0-7, 0-5 frees), L O’Mahony (0-2), R Leahy, M Duggan, A Healy and L McDonagh (0-1 each).

KERRY: M E Bolger; E Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O’Connell, E Dineen, E O’Connor; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody (capt), N Ní Chonchúir, D Kearney; K Brosnan, D O’Leary, L Scanlon.

Subs: C Butler for M E Bolger, A Harrington for E O’Connor (both half-time), L Ní Mhuircheartaigh for K Brosnan (39), A Dillane for N Ní Chonchúir (62).

CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, A Ryan; S Leahy, A Healy, D Kiely; M O’Callaghan (capt.), A O’Mahony; E Cleary, L O’Mahony, A McDonagh; L McDonagh, K Quirke, R Leahy.

Subs: S McGoldrick for S Leahy (40), K O’Driscoll for A McDonagh (42), S Kelly for A O’Mahony (44), L Hallihan for L McDonagh (52), S O’Leary for D Kiely (58).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).