Relief for O Se as Kerry hold out

A day of loud noise and redemption. With the sun beaming across the country, most eyes fell on Killarney where Kerry and Cork once again renewed their Munster football rivalry. And after a game of dramatic mood swings, Kerry eclipsed the frustrations endured a year ago by pulling out a five-point victory.

Shortly after half-time, a fluid and determined Kerry had a lead of 11 points and Cork appeared to be looking for the side exit. Then they realised that they had more players on the field than just Colin Corkery.

Pride and belief were uncovered and as Kerry slipped off the pedal, the gap was reduced to two. But just when it seemed that Cork may yet keep a hand on their Munster title, the gas tank hit empty and Kerry prevailed 215 to 1-13.

"We had to pull out all the stops in the end," admitted Kerry manager Paidi O Se afterwards, but without hiding the smile of relief. "We had that bit more left in the final minutes to see us through."

Up north in Belfast, Antrim played host to league champions Derry for a place in the Ulster football final. No contest, they said. Antrim had caused one shock to get this far but there would be no way out of Casement Park.

And for a long while it looked that way. Then the Antrim support, so quiet for much of the game, started roaring wildly as a late, late charge saw their team end on level terms - 2-8 to 0-14.

It was a remarkable comeback against all the odds. Derry had started the second half seven points clear - with midfielder Anthony Tohill again proving untouchable - but when Kevin Brady twice rattled the net, Antrim were suddenly within inches of another summer surprise. Derry escaped. The Ulster Council will announce the replay date on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere, some 41,000 showed up in Croke Park to see a Leinster hurling double-header with final places at stake. First up were preliminary winners Dublin against All-Ireland seekers Kilkenny and as expected, it wasn't pretty.

Kilkenny gradually drew blood on a Dublin side that couldn't put fear out of their mind and in the end were beaten by 15 points - 3-16 to 0-10. Offaly followed that by seeing off Wexford's challenge, though at least this was a little more interesting. Offaly had jumped to a seven-point lead as Johnny Dooley soaked up all the opportunities but with a Larry Murphy goal just before the break, Wexford trailed by just three points.

But from there, the game veered off in one direction only. Joe Errity and Gary Hannify both found the net and the margin at the end - 3-15 to 1-8 - was convincing. And with that comes the third successive Leinster final meeting with Kilkenny.