Kerry were crowned Munster minor football champions for 2016 following a six point victory over Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium today.

Peter Keane's charges triumphed on a scoreline of 3-14 to 3-8 in the curtain-raiser to the Munster SFC final.

First-half goals from Brian Sweeney and Sean O'Shea laid the foundations for the Kingdom's success and they led by 2-7 to 1-6 at the halfway stage.

Colm O'Callaghan pulled a goal back for the Rebels at the start of the second-half and they took over in pole position (3-7 to 2-9) when full-forward Mark Buckley raised his second green flag of the contest on the three quarter hour mark.

Kerry players celebrate with the trophy. ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.

Kerry responded with a goal through the excellent David Clifford in the 48th minute and they subsequently outscored the visitors by five points to one set up an All-Ireland quarter-final clash with the losers of the Ulster MFC final between Donegal and Derry.

Clifford top scored for the winners with 1-5 while captain O'Shea was a close second with 1-4.

Cork's Buckley finished with 2-2 to his name and they will face the Ulster champions in the last eight.

Kerry - B Courtney; G O'Sullivan, N Collins, M Reidy; M Potts, M Foley (0-2), D O'Brien; M Breen, M Ryan; D O'Connor, S O'Shea (1-4, 0-2f, 0-1'45), D Moynihan (0-2); B Friel (0-1), D Clifford (1-5, 0-2f), B Sweeney (1-0). Subs: D Naughton for M Reidy, C Linnane for B Sweeney, D Shaw for B Friel, C Teahan for M Ryan, F O'Brien for D O'Connor, S Okunbar for M Foley.

Cork - M White; A McCarthy, A Browne, L O'Donovan; R O'Driscoll, N Walsh, T O Corcra; J Ryan, S Ryan; S O'Sullivan, K O'Donovan, C Maguire (0-2); D Gore (0-4f), C O'Callaghan (1-0), M Buckley (2-2). Subs: C Foley for J Ryan, S O'Driscoll for S O'Sullivan, G O'Donoghue for S Ryan, S Minihane for R O'Driscoll, C O'Mahony for K O'Donovan.

Referee - A Kissane.

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