Some things just cannot be explained, and then there are things which go further than that. Like events at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon, as Cork, after an abject first half display, turned around an eight-point deficit to overcome the All-Ireland champions with plenty to spare. Cork produced an astonishing second half display, making light of the atrocious conditions to register 1-13 after the break, and keep the defeated Kerry attack to just three points. Conor Counihan’s men could not have been any worse after a dismal first 35 minutes in which a tactic of double-teaming Kieran Donaghy with Graham Canty and Derek Kavanagh backfired spectacularly. Donaghy, despite the presence of two opponents in his immediate sphere, caused all sorts of damage, never more so than with virtually his first touch when he won possession, sidestepped both Canty and Kavanagh and teed up Donncha Walsh for a goal.

Cork manager Conor Counihan will wait until Sunday morning before deciding whether to start Graham Canty against Kerry in the Munster SFC final. The All-Star full back has been named in the Cork line-up, despite sustaining a shoulder injury in training on Tuesday night. Team doctor Con Murphy explained: "Graham aggravated a shoulder injury in a game between the full panel on Tuesday night. "We’ve had an epidemic of this type of injury this season. We are without Noel O’Leary because of a similar injury while John Miskella has recovered from his shoulder problem. This latest one couldn’t have come at a worse time, almost on the eve of a Munster final against Kerry.

Cork centre back Ger Spillane is focusing on the positives ahead of Sunday’s Munster SFC final against Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The Rebels were humbled by their great rivals in last year’s All-Ireland final, but Spillane says they are anxious to move on from that crushing experience. "It was a big score against us, it wasn’t the nicest feeling," he said. "The way the three goals went in it was a bad day all round. It just got worse and worse. You have days like that. You just have to get on with it.

On Wednesday evening Cork were on a redemptive mission, when they took on Kerry in the Munster under 16 final. Not that they have not been successful in this grade in recent years anything but, in fact Kerry were their victims in the last 7 finals in this grade. But Cork lost recently to eventual champions Kerry in the All-Ireland under 14 Semi- Final and after hammering Kerry by 25 points in the Munster Minor final in April after a 2 month exam break they lost their All-Ireland title to Monaghan by 2 points, so from that point of view it was important for morale to get a good result at Fossa on Wednesday evening. Players were made aware before the game what was at stake, their Munster and All-Ireland titles and the pride of the County. The players responded magnificently and with a virtually faultless display in the first half they had the game nearly sealed at the short whistle as they led by 11 points. That lead was fashioned by early strikes from Ciara Sherlock who goaled in the very first minute and two goals from Jessica O’Shea one from the penalty spot when she was fouled bearing down on goal. Corks speedy half forward line of Orla Finn, Orla Farmer and Jessica O’Shea, all top class athletes, caused consternation as they pulverised the Kerry half back line, who played 4 across that line, sacrificing a forward up front.

Cork football captain Graham Canty is a serious injury doubt despite being handed the number three jersey for Sunday's Munster SFC final against Kerry. Canty failed to finish an A v B training match on Tuesday night after he sustained damage to an a/c shoulder joint. Subsequently, Rebel boss Conor Counihan will now wait until Sunday morning to determine whether Canty is fit to line out against the Kingdom in the Munster decider. "Graham got a shoulder. It's too early to say how bad the damage is, but it's something we could do without and we hate to see fellas injured leading up to a big game," Cork team doctor Con Murphy told the Irish Times.

Cork cruised into another ESB Munster MHC final following an emphatic 16-point win over a much-fancied Waterford at Walsh Park last night. Parading six of De La Salle’s All-Ireland Colleges winning side, Waterford came into the game with high expectations but after holding their own in the first half, they were blown away by an impressive Cork outfit after the break. Favoured by the wind in the first half, the Deise took the lead for the first time in the 18th minute when Maurice Shanahan - younger brother of senior star Dan - blasted the opening goal. Waterford weren’t flattered to be ahead by four points as the half drew to a close, but then disaster struck when Cork midfielder Paul Honohan - now operating at full forward - found the net to leave the minimum between the sides at the interval, 1-4 to 1-3.

Kerry ended Cork’s reign as All-Ireland junior football champions with a two-point victory in last night’s Munster final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The Kingdom capitalised on some poor Cork finishing, particularly in the opening quarter, to regain the provincial crown. The home side totally dominated the early stages, but both Cathrach Keane and Colm O’Driscoll were guilty of spurning excellent goal chances. David Goold eventually got the Rebels off the mark in the nine minute, but Kerry replied through Conor Daly and Niall Fleming before Alan O’Sullivan blasted a goal in the 20th minute. And further scores from O’Sullivan and Daly gave them a 1-4 to 0-3 cushion at half-time.