Cork–Kerry Gaelic football rivalry

The Cork-Kerry rivalry is a Gaelic football rivalry between Irish county teams Cork and Kerry, who first played each other in 1889. It is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in Gaelic games.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Cork's home ground is Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Kerry's home ground is Fitzgerald Stadium, however, some of their championship meetings have been held at neutral venues, usually Croke Park.

Cork-Kerry
LocaleCounty Cork
County Kerry
TeamsCork
Kerry
First meetingCork 0-2 - 0-1 Kerry
1889 Munster semi-final
(27 July 1889)
Latest meetingKerry 1-19 - 3-10 Cork
2019 Munster final
(22 June 2019)
StadiumsFitzgerald Stadium (Kerry)
Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Cork)
Statistics
Meetings total118
Most winsKerry (73)
Top scorerColm Cooper (5-77)
All-time seriesKerry 73-12-33 Cork
Largest victoryKerry 6-7 - 0-4 Cork
1937 Munster quarter-final
(13 June 1937)

While Kerry have the highest number of Munster titles and Cork are ranked second on the roll of honour, they have also enjoyed success in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, having won 44 championship titles between them to date.

Regarded as, possibly, the greatest rivalry of all in Gaelic football, a Munster final between Cork and Kerry, is regarded as a special occasion.[7]

As of 2015 the sides have met 114 times in the championship including meeting twice at the All-Ireland final stage. Kerry won both of these games.

Roots

History

The Cork-Kerry rivalry can lay claim to be the greatest rivalry in Gaelic football. As the nearest of neighbours these two teams are also the fiercest of rivals. In spite of an almost annual meeting in the Munster Senior Football Championship, interest in the clash of these two teams has endured over the last 120 years. Kerry are the most successful team in the history of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, leading the all-time roll of honour with thirty-five titles. Cork, in comparison, have only won seven All-Ireland titles.

The rivalry began in 1889 when these two sides met in the championship for the first time. Cork dominated the first decade, before Kerry found their niche. A brief resurgence by Cork in the early years of the new century was followed by an unprecedented era of dominance by Kerry. Between 1909 and 1943 Cork faced Kerry on sixteen different occasions and, unfortunately, they faced defeat in all of these games.

The 1940s saw Cork flourish for a brief period, before Kerry asserted their dominance once again. Cork only claimed two victories over Kerry in the 1950s and 1960s, however, the rivalry intensified to unprecedented levels in the 1970s and 1980s. The early part of the 1970s saw Cork win three Munster titles in four years. After winning the All-Ireland title in 1973 the county looked set for a few more years of dominance. Kerry, however, bounced back with what has been described as the greatest team of all-time. Kerry won twelve Munster titles between 1975 and 1986, defeating Cork on each occasion. Cork's lone victory came in the 1983 provincial decider when they stopped Kerry from claiming a record nine-in-a-row.

In 1987 Cork broke the Kerry stranglehold at last and made hay while their biggest rivals were going through a transition. Over the next nine years they won seven Munster titles and two All-Ireland titles. The introduction of the qualifiers system in 2001 saw the launch of the Cork-Kerry rivalry on the national stage at Croke Park. Although Cork have defeated Kerry in the provincial series of games on a number of occasions, Kerry have proved themselves to be the masters in the All-Ireland series, particularly in 2007 when Kerry trounced Cork in a unique all-Munster All-Ireland final.

Statistics

Team All-Ireland Munster National League Total
Kerry 36 72 19 127
Cork 7 35 6 47
Combined 43 107 24 173

Notable moments

  • Cork 0–2 : 0–1 Kerry (1889 at Mallow) – Not only was this the first clash in what would later become one of the greatest rivalries, but the game also marked Kerry’s debut in the championship. Several thousand spectators attended the game; however, the score was a low one. Kerry took a one-point lead at the interval, however, Cork fought back in the second-half without reward. Cork leveled the game in the fourth quarter; however, both sides hit several wides. With five minutes left ‘the Rebels’ secured a 0–2 to 0–1 lead. Kerry had a number of chances to secure a draw, however, these were spurned.
  • Cork 2–3 : 0–9 Kerry (1943 at the Cork Athletic Grounds) – The 1940s saw Cork's footballing fortunes take a turn in the right direction. One of the Munster semi-final paired Cork and Kerry, however, Kerry were still the overwhelming favourites. Seven new players came into a Cork side that attacked the provincial kingpins from the off. Cork had a 1–2 to 0–4 at the interval, however, it was not a true reflection of their superiority. Kerry regrouped in the second period, however, a goal by Jim Cronin gave Cork a one-point lead in the dying stages of the game. Kerry, however, equalised with a point to force a draw and a replay.
  • Cork 1–5 : 1–4 Kerry (1943 at the Cork Athletic Grounds) – After protracted negotiations the replay was fixed for Cork. A bumper crowd flocked to the city to see the game. Kerry recalled six players who had retired to bolster their chances in the replay. Cork did not show the same superiority as they did in the drawn game, however, they were give plenty of opportunities to win after the interval. Coming up to the long whistle Kerry were leading by two points, albeit against the run of play. One of the Kerry full-backs failed to hold the ball in his own goalmouth, leading to a Cork attack which resulted in a goal. This score gave Cork a 1–5 to 1–4 lead as the referee blew the final whistle. There were great scenes of jubilation by the Cork contingent as it was their first victory over Kerry since the 1909 championship. The Cork players were hailed as the heroes and were duly chaired off the field.
  • Cork 2–7 : 1–7 Kerry (July 17, 1966 at FitzGerald Stadium) – In spite of some good performances Cork’s victory over Kerry was a shock. ‘The Kingdom’ had dominated the provincial series for the previous decade and were hoping to capture a record-breaking ninth Munster title in-a-row. Cork got off to a shaky start, however, they got well on top in the second period of play. The introduction of veteran Niall FitzGerald, who had scored the winning point in Cork’s last victory over Kerry nine years earlier, proved a match winner.
  • Cork 5–12 : 1–15 Kerry (July 15, 1973 at the Cork Athletic Grounds) – Despite inclement weather conditions up to 29,000 people thronged the Athletic Grounds for the last big game to be player there before its demolition. The game was not long in progress when it became obvious that Cork were heading for a rare rout. Five quick goals in the first forty minutes gave ‘the Rebels’ a merited 5–4 to 0–6 lead at the interval. Kerry launched a great comeback in the second-half; however, the gap could not be bridged as Cork won by 5–12 to 1–15. A first All-Ireland title in twenty-eight years later followed.
  • Cork 3–10 : 3–9 Kerry (July 17, 1983 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) – After losing the famous five-in-a-row final to Offaly in 1982, Kerry were out to atone. Furthermore, they were out to set a new record by becoming the first team to win nine Munster titles in-a-row. In one of the great games between these two sides neither side took an extensive lead. As the game entered injury time Kerry were leading by two points. A dramatic last-minute goal by Tadhg Murphy gave Cork a merited 3–10 to 3–9 win. The game was a personal triumph for Dinny Allen who, after losing eight consecutive provincial deciders to Kerry, finally collected a winners' medal at the ninth attempt.
  • Cork 2–7 : 1–10 Kerry (July 26, 1987 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) – Kerry were aiming to continue their dominance of the football world by claiming a twelfth Munster title in fourteen years. Furthermore, Kerry were on the quest for a second four-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles inside a decade. Cork, however, held a narrow lead for much of the game and were very much in control. Mikey Sheehy squeezed in a goal to give Kerry a one-point lead just on the stroke of seventy minutes. John Kerins's kick-out found John Cleary who kept possession before relaying to Christy Ryan. The resultant free was converted by Larry Tompkins, thus securing a draw.
  • Cork 0–13 : 1–5 Kerry (August 2, 1987 at FitzGerald Stadium) – A replay of the drawn Munster final and the end of an era for the greatest Gaelic football team of all-time. Cork established an early superiority and, in spite of playing against the wind, 'the Rebels' were eight points to the good at the interval. Kerry fought back in the second-half, however, there was never any doubt about the result. Cork were the winners with five points to spare and ended Kerry's hopes of a second four-in-a-row inside a decade.
  • Cork 2–23 : 1–11 Kerry (July 1, 1990 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) – The annual Munster final saw Cork paired with Kerry once again. Kerry’s fortunes had taken a nosedive since the heady days of the late 1970s and early 1980s, as Cork were now the kingpins of provincial football. This was best exemplified in the fact that Cork were aiming to capture a personal record of four Munster titles in-a-row. ‘The Rebels’ were severely hampered from the beginning as six regular players were on the injured list. The team that was picked showed their class and inflicted an unprecedented fifteen-point defeat on Kerry. The four-in-a-row was secure and an historic double would soon follow.
  • Kerry 3–19 : 2–7 Cork (August 25, 2002 at Croke Park) – An historic game in a rivalry that has been littered with historic games. While Cork and Kerry had been used to doing battle in Cork or Killarney, this was the first time that the sides had met in Croke Park, the headquarters of the GAA. Cork had earlier defeated Kerry after a replay before taking the Munster title after a replay as well. This game, in spite of all its promise, was a rout. Kerry trounced Cork by fifteen points.
  • Kerry 3–13 : 1–9 Cork (September 16, 2007 at Croke Park) – An historic all-Munster All-Ireland final, contested by possibly the two biggest rivals in the championship. Kerry, playing in a fourth championship decider in-a-row, were going for a second consecutive win, a feat last achieved by Cork in 1990. Kerry had narrowly beaten Cork in the Munster final earlier in the year, resulting in high expectations from a Cork viewpoint. While the first half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second half and a rout ensued. In a disastrous day for Cork football 'the Rebels' were trounced by 3–13 to 1–9.

All-time results

Legend

Kerry win
Cork win
Match was a draw

Senior

No. Date Winners Score Runners-up Venue Stage
1.27 July 1889Cork0-2 - 0-1KerryMallow Town ParkMunster final
2.29 SeptemberCork0-0 - 0-0KerryMarkets FieldMunster final
3.20 October 1890Cork1-4 - 0-1KerryBanteer SportsfieldMunster final replay
4.20 September 1891Cork2-5 - 0-2KerryKillarney SportsfieldMunster semi-final
5.30 October 1892Kerry3-6 - 0-5CorkKillarney SportsfieldMunster final
6.2 April 1894Corkw/o - scr.KerryMallow Town ParkMunster final
7.31 August 1902Cork0-6 - 0-1KerryMarkets FieldMunster quarter-final replay
8.5 October 1902Cork0-8 - 0-6KerryMillstreet SportsfieldMunster quarter-final replay
9.9 August 1903Kerry2-7 - 0-3CorkMillstreet SportsfieldMunster semi-final
10.30 October 1904Kerry1-7 - 0-3CorkMarkets FieldMunster final
11.29 October 1905Kerry1-4 - 0-0CorkMarkets FieldMunster semi-final
12.20 January 1907Kerry1-7 - 0-5CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
13.18 August 1907Cork1-10 - 0-3KerryStation RoadMunster final
14.29 March 1908Cork1-9 - 0-9KerryMarkets FieldMunster semi-final
15.19 September 1909Cork2-8 - 1-7KerryMarkets FieldMunster final
16.7 November 1909Kerry1-6 - 0-6CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final replay
17.30 October 1910Kerry0-4 - 0-2CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
18.23 June 1912Kerry2-3 - 0-1CorkTralee SportsfieldMunster quarter-final
19.26 October 1913Kerry1-6 - 0-1CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
20.4 October 1914Kerry0-5 - 0-1CorkTralee SportsfieldMunster final
21.20 June 1920Kerry2-6 - 0-4CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster semi-final
22.2 September 1923Kerry3-4 - 0-3CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster semi-final
23.7 September 1924Kerry4-3 - 2-1CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster semi-final
24.16 August 1925Kerry3-8 - 0-1CorkTralee SportsfieldMunster semi-final
25.18 July 1926Kerry1-9 - 2-1CorkListowel SportsfieldMunster semi-final
26.8 May 1927Kerry1-7 - 0-1CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster quarter-final
27.26 May 1929Kerry1-7 - 1-3CorkThe MardykeMunster semi-final
28.27 May 1934Kerry2-6 - 0-3CorkPáirc Mac GearailtMunster quarter-final
29.13 June 1937Kerry6-7 - 0-4CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster quarter-final
30.7 August 1938Kerry4-14 - 0-6CorkClonakilty SportsfieldMunster final
31.19 July 1942Kerry3-7 - 0-8CorkAustin Stack ParkMunster final
32.6 June 1943Kerry0-9 - 2-3CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster semi-final
33.11 July 1943Cork1-5 - 1-4KerryCork Athletic GroundsMunster semi-final replay
34.8 July 1945Cork1-11 - 1-6KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
35.2 June 1946Kerry1-8 - 1-5CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster quarter-final
36.27 July 1947Kerry3-8 - 2-6CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
37.25 July 1948Kerry2-9 - 2-6CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
38.30 July 1950Kerry2-5 - 1-5CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
39.15 July 1951Kerry1-6 - 0-4CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
40.20 July 1952Cork0-11 - 0-2KerryCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
41.19 July 1953Kerry2-7 - 2-3CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
42.25 July 1954Kerry4-9 - 2-3CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
43.14 July 1955Kerry0-14 - 2-6CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
44.15 July 1956Kerry0-8 - 2-2CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
45.29 July 1956Cork1-8 - 1-7KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final replay
46.13 July 1958Kerry2-7 - 0-3CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
47.2 August 1959Kerry2-15 - 2-8CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
48.16 July 1961Kerry0-10 - 1-7CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
49.23 July 1961Kerry2-13 - 1-4CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
50.15 July 1962Kerry4-8 - 0-4CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
51.14 July 1963Kerry1-18 - 3-7CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
52.19 July 1964Kerry2-11 - 1-8CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
53.17 July 1966Cork2-07 - 1-07KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
54.16 July 1967Cork0-08 - 0-07KerryCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
55.14 July 1968Kerry1-21 - 3-08CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
56.20 July 1969Kerry0-16 - 1-04CorkCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
57.26 July 1970Kerry2-22 - 2-09CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
58.18 July 1971Cork0-25 - 0-14KerryCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
59.16 July 1972Kerry2-21 - 2-15CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
60.15 July 1973Cork5-12 - 1-15KerryCork Athletic GroundsMunster final
61.14 July 1974Cork1-11 - 0-07KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
62.13 July 1975Kerry1-14 - 0-07CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
63.11 July 1976Kerry0-10 - 0-10CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
64.25 July 1976Kerry3-20 - 2-19CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final replay
65.24 July 1977Kerry3-15 - 0-09CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
66.16 July 1978Kerry3-14 - 3-7CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
67.22 July 1979Kerry2-14 - 2-4CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
68.6 July 1980Kerry3-13 - 0-12CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
69.19 July 1981Kerry1-11 - 0-3CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
70.4 July 1982Kerry0-9 - 0-9CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
71.1 August 1982Kerry2-18 - 0-12CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final replay
72.17 July 1983Cork3-10 - 3-9KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
73.1 July 1984Kerry3-14 - 2-10CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
74.21 July 1985Kerry2-11 - 0-11CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
75.6 July 1986Kerry0-12 - 0-8CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
76.26 July 1987Kerry1-10 - 2-7CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
77.2 August 1987Cork0-13 - 1-5KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final replay
78.3 July 1988Cork1-14 - 0-16KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
79.23 July 1989Cork1-12 - 1-9KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
80.1 July 1990Cork2-23 - 1-11KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
81.16 June 1991Kerry1-10 - 0-11CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
82.4 May 1992Kerry2-14 - 0-10CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster quarter-final
83.20 June 1993Cork1-10 - 0-10KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
84.26 June 1994Cork1-13 - 2-8KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final
85.23 July 1995Cork0-15 - 1-9KerryFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
86.21 July 1996Kerry0-14 - 0-11CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
87.5 July 1998Kerry1-14 - 1-11CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
88.18 July 1999Cork2-10 - 2-4KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
89.18 June 2000Kerry2-15 - 1-13CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
90.15 July 2001Kerry0-19 - 1-13CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
91.16 June 2002Kerry0-8 - 0-8CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
92.23 June 2002Cork0-15 - 1-9KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final replay
93.25 August 2002Kerry3-19 - 2-7CorkCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
94.13 June 2004Kerry0-15 - 0-7CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final
95.10 July 2005Kerry1-11 - 0-11CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
96.28 August 2005Kerry1-19 - 0-9CorkCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
97.9 July 2006Kerry0-10 - 0-10CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
98.16 July 2006Cork1-12 - 0-9KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final replay
99.20 August 2006Kerry0-16 - 0-10CorkCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
100.1 July 2007Kerry1-15 - 1-13CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
101.16 September 2007Kerry3-13 - 1-9CorkCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
102.6 July 2008Cork1-16 - 1-11KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
103.24 August 2008Cork3-7 - 1-13KerryCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final
104.31 August 2008Kerry3-14 - 2-13KerryCroke ParkAll-Ireland semi-final replay
105.7 June 2009Kerry0-13 - 1-10CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
106.13 June 2009Cork1-17 - 0-12KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final replay
107.20 September 2009Kerry0-16 - 1-9CorkCroke ParkAll-Ireland final
108.6 June 2010Kerry0-15 - 0-15CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster semi-final
109.13 June 2010Kerry1-15 - 1-14CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final replay
110.3 July 2011Kerry1-15 - 1-12CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
111.10 June 2012Cork0-17 - 0-12KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final
112.7 July 2013Kerry1-16 - 0-17CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
113.6 July 2014Kerry0-24 - 0-12CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
114.5 July 2015Kerry2-15 - 3-12CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
115.18 July 2015Kerry1-11 - 1-06CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final replay
116.2 July 2017Kerry1-23 - 0-15CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
117.23 June 2018Kerry3-18 - 2-04CorkPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster final
118.22 June 2019Kerry1-19 - 3-10CorkFitzgerald StadiumMunster final
119.8 November 2020Cork1-12 - 0-13KerryPáirc Uí ChaoimhMunster semi-final

Records

Scorelines

References

  1. Shannon, Kieran (18 July 2015). "4 trends from Cork and Kerry's epic rivalry". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  2. Lavin, Garrett (5 July 2015). "Cork v Kerry: A rivalry like no other". Newstalk. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  3. "Why every Cork v Kerry encounter is momentous". Irish Times. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  4. "The ultimate rivalry: Kerry v Cork". Sports Bant. 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  5. Casey, Aaron (July 2013). "Cork and Kerry – An age-old rivalry..." Gaelic Live. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  6. Cahill, Jackie (4 July 2014). "Rebels' rivalry with Kerry is just like Scots' Old Firm – 'keeper O'Halloran". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  7. "Kilkenny v Tipperary - A rivalry to savour". Irish Examiner. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
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