Cork 0-13
Kildare 1-7

Cork were crowned All-Ireland junior football champions for a 17th time after withstanding a second half comeback from Kildare in a thrilling final at the Gaelic Grounds this evening.

It was a case of history repeating itself as Paul McCarthy's charges replicated their 2011 final victory over the Lilywhites. However, they needed three late points to get across the line after Kildare had fought back to level after trailing by six points at the break.

Colm O'Driscoll opened the scoring for the Munster champions in the third minute and they had established a 0-4 to 0-0 lead before team captain Seamus Hanafin got Kildare off the mark. Paddy Mahon got another one back, but the Lilywhites were let down by poor finishing as the winners went on to hold a commanding 0-9 to 0-3 lead at half-time thanks to points from Cathal Vaughan, Andrew O'Brien and Fiachra Lynch.

The Leinster champions showed great determination, however, to get themselves back onto level terms in the second half. Cian Bolton and Hughie Mahon had points either side of the game's only goal from midfielder Keith Cribbin.

Further scores from Hanafin and Mahon restored parity, but Vaughan - who scored 0-5 (0-2 from frees) - edged Cork back in front before late points from Ruairi Deane and Kevin O'Driscoll sealed the win.

Cork - D Hanrahan; AJ O'Connor, E O'Mahony, K Harrington; Richard O'Sullivan, Rory O'Sullivan, S Kiely; R Deane (0-1), M O'Leary (0-1); C Vaughan (0-5, 3f), A O'Brien (0-1), C O'Driscoll (0-2); K O'Driscoll (0-2), F Lynch (0-1), D Harrington. Subs: P Daly for Rory O'Sullivan, M Vaughan for D Harrington.

Kildare - C Heneghan; J O'Connor, W Burke, P Warren; D Barker, C Fitzpatrick, C O'Shea; K Cribben (1-0), S Darcy; H Mahon (0-2), S Hanafin (0-2, 1f), C Fagan; P Mahon (0-1), C Bolton (0-2, 1f), C McNally. Subs: G Waters for Warren, G Farrell for Darcy, D Grehan for P Mahon, D Duke for H Mahon, M French for Hanafin.

Referee - G McCormack. Tweet

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