While many believe this fixture has become stale owing to the regularity of league and championship meetings between the southern giants, it may well yet turn out to be the only truly competitive provincial football final we see this year.

The fact is Kerry and Cork never like losing to each other and this should make for a full-blooded encounter in Killarney. The Rebels haven't won in Fitzgerald Stadium since 1995 and have already lost to their old rivals this year in the Allianz League. But they will travel with confidence and will be out to prove that they are still among the leading contenders for the Sam Maguire.

Facing into his first Munster final as a manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice won't be reading too much into Kerry's facile wins over Tipperary and Waterford. This is his first real test in the championship for which he will be without injured full back Aidan O'Mahony. Cork, for their part, are without Colm O'Neill, who is out until 2014 with a cruciate ligament problem.

These games can often take on a life of their own and referee Marty Duffy could be in for a trying afternoon. Home advantage and a more potent attack should swing it for Kerry, but don't be surprised to see these two squaring up to each other game at a later stage in the championship.

Verdict:Kerry

Kerry: Brendan Kealy; Marc O Se, Mark Griffin, Shane Enright; Tomas O Se, Killian Young, Peter Crowley; Anthony Maher, Johnny Buckley; Paul Galvin, Colm Cooper, Donnchadh Walsh; Darran O'Sullivan, Declan O'Sullivan, James O'Donoghue

Cork: Ken O'Halloran; Eoin Cadogan, Michael Shields, Damien Cahalane; James Loughrey, Paudie Kissane, Tomás Clancy; Graham Canty, Pearse O'Neill; Fintan Goold, Patrick Kelly, John O'Rourke; Daniel Goulding, Brian Hurley, Paul Kerrigan.

Referee: Marty Duffy

Odds: Kerry 8/11, Draw 7/1, Cork 6/4

Match Details: Fitzgerald Stadium; 2pm; Sunday, July 7. Tweet

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