Cork secured a third straight Munster SHC win with a hard-fought 1-26 to 0-25 victory over Waterford at a packed Walsh Park. Brian Hayes starred with seven points from play, while Mark Coleman’s crucial second-half penalty helped the Rebels book their place in the All-Ireland series. Check out some photos from the game
The stage is set for Cork and Kerry to clash in the 2026 Electric Ireland Munster GAA Football Minor Championship Final on Monday, May 18th at 7:35pm in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Cork enter the decider in excellent form after topping the Phase 2 table with a perfect record of three wins from three outings. The Rebels impressed throughout the campaign, finishing with an impressive scoring tally of 10-62 while conceding just 2-38.
Their Phase 2 journey began with a dominant 4-25 to 0-12 victory away to Clare before following up with a superb 3-18 to 1-14 win over Kerry in Austin Stack Park. Cork completed the group stages with another strong performance, overcoming Waterford by 3-19 to 1-12 at Páirc Uí Rinn.
Kerry secured their place in the final after finishing second in the table with two victories from three matches. The Kingdom opened their campaign with a convincing 3-17 to 2-9 win over Waterford before suffering defeat to Cork in Tralee. They bounced back strongly in Round 3 with a commanding 1-21 to 0-11 victory over Clare to book their place in the provincial decider.
The sides also met earlier this season in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football League, where Cork claimed a narrow victory over Kerry in a highly competitive encounter. That result added another chapter to the fierce rivalry between the counties and sets the stage for what promises to be another thrilling contest under the lights at Páirc Uí Rinn.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Score Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +48 | 6 |
| Kerry | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 4 |
| Clare | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -32 | 2 |
| Waterford | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -30 | 0 |
Supporters can look forward to another thrilling chapter in the famous rivalry between Cork and Kerry as two talented young sides battle it out for Munster glory.
Cork’s minor footballers continued their impressive Munster campaign with a commanding 3-19 to 1-12 victory over Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn, signing off before the provincial final in style. Already assured of their place in the decider, Keith Ricken’s side still produced a powerful and clinical display, underlining the depth and quality throughout the panel.
Despite playing into a strong wind in the opening half, the Rebels tore into the contest early with goals from Riley O’Donovan, Peadar Kelly and Alex O’Herlihy helping Cork establish a 3-10 to 0-7 interval lead. Their pace, movement and sharp finishing proved far too much for Waterford to handle.
Jacob Barry was influential throughout, while Joe Miskella and Conrad Murphy also impressed. Goalkeeper Rory Twohig added a superb two-point free and denied Waterford with an excellent save late on.
Cork now turn their attention to a mouth-watering Munster final clash with Kerry.
Scorers for Cork: A O’Herlihy 1-3, J Miskella 0-3, P Kelly, R O’Donovan 1-0 each, C Murphy (1 2pt), J Barry (1 2pt), E Ahern (0-2 f), R Twohig (1 2pt f), M Corkery, K O’Shea 0-2 each, K O’Donovan 0-1.
Waterford: D Gough 0-6 (0-4 f, 1 2pt), L O’Grady 0-3 (1 2pt), E Lavery 1-0, E Bloomer 0-2, A O’Donnell 0-1.
Subs: L O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) for R O’Donovan, A O’Sullivan (Glanmire) for R McCormack (both h-t), K O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa) for K O’Shea (38), D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for M Power (42), M Walsh (Bride Rovers) for J Miskella (52).
WATERFORD: R Kearney; A McManus, J Skehan, C Power; C Johnston, A O’Donnell, L O’Grady; T Meagher, T Walsh; E Bloomer, A McMaugh, J Casey; D Gough, C Smyth, R Kirwan.
Subs: S Healy for A McManus (h-t), C Kelly for A McMaugh (44), E Lavery for C Smyth (49), E Keane for C Johnston, R Cuddy for E Bloomer (both 52).
Referee: Seán Joy (Kerry).
Manager Keith Ricken has announced his Cork Minor Football side for Monday evening’s clash with Waterford GAA in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship at Páirc Uí Rinn.
Throw-in is at 7pm.
The team is as follows
