Munster MFC Final/Cork 3-8 Kerry 1-11: Cork survived a second-half rally by Kerry to claim their first Munster minor title in five years at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Cork hit two early goals and led by seven points after 20 minutes. Despite been reduced to 14 players just before half-time, a third goal, Colm O'Neill's second, three minutes from time, sealed Cork's win.

Cork raced into a 1-3 to 0-1 after five minutes, the goal coming from O'Neill. The Kerry defence was punished for some sloppy play when David Kearney dispossessed Colin O'Mahony, took the return pass and slipped home for a seven-point lead. Cork corner back Jason O'Callaghan was sent off for a second yellow card offence and Paul O'Connor pointed the free. Kerry now trailed by 2-4 to 0-6 at the break.

Kerry were level after 35 minutes when Jack Falvey pointed and Paul O'Connor scored a goal. They then took the lead with a Kieran O'Leary point.

Cork continued to struggle and Paddy Curran had a shot cannon on to the crossbar off Cork defender Anthony Fenton.

Colm O'Driscoll eased the pressure on Cork with an equalising point but Curran was unlucky at the other end when his shot hit the upright.

In a tense finale, a Cork free from Fiachra Lynch found O'Neill who hammered the ball to the net. As Kerry piled on the pressure the Cork defence held out to secure a deserved victory.

CORK: T O'Connor; J O'Callaghan, E Cotter, C O'Brien; S Kiely, M O'Brien, A Fenton; F Lynch (0-2), A Barry; C O'Driscoll (0-2), D. Crowley, R Kenny; C O'Neill (2-3, 2 frees), D Scannell, D Kearney (1-0). Subs: P Carroll for Kenny; B Daly for Crowley; E Hegarty (0-1) for Scannell; R O'Dwyer for Kiely.

KERRY: G Kissane; C O'Mahony, M Moloney, K Young; J Wrenn, G Duffy, S Enright; K Brennan, A O'Sullivan; J Falvey (0-1), K O'Leary (0-3), B Looney; P Curran (0-1), P O'Connor (1-2, 1 free), M. O'Donoghue (0-4). Subs: S Lynch for Enright; T Walsh for Looney; D Murphy for Falvey; E Mac Gearailt for A O'Sullivan.

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).