The winners were outscored by 0-7 to 0-4 in the second period, but, crucially, never allowed their opponents back on level footing after building up a significant lead in the opening period.

Kerry returned back down the tunnel at the break much the happier, Stephen Wallace’s side ahead by 0-10 to 0-6. The home outfit were much the smarter out of the blocks but two wasted efforts in the opening two minutes meant it was Cork who were first on the board through Mark Sugrue.

Kerry sharpened the radar thereafter and settled with three white flags on the bounce from Patrick Clifford, Adrian Spillane and Paul O’Donoghue.

The visitors never managed to get back level, their best chance at wiping out Kerry’s lead falling to Killian O’Hanlon following Kerry’s three point-burst. The Cork centre-forward, though, under pressure from a Kerry defender, dragged his goal effort wide.

Having reduced the deficit to the minimum in second-half stoppages, Cork captain Bart Daly attempted to tie proceedings from out the field - his shot curled to the left and wide.

Kerry captain Paul O’Donoghue played a leading role with seven points, all but one arriving from the dead ball.

Scorers for Kerry: P O’Donoghue (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 ’45); SM Ó Conchúir, A Spillane (0-2 each); P Clifford, N O’Shea, K Hurley (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: M Vaughan (0-6); M Sugrue (0-2 frees); E Buckley (0-3 each); K O’Hanlon (0-1).

Cork: A Casey (Kiskeam); D Colfer (Glanworth), P Murphy (Bandon), J Mullins (Éire Óg); D O’Neill (Mayfield), B Daly (Newmarket), K Histon (Cobh); J Corkery (Boherbue), C Brosnan (Brian Dillons); M Vaughan (Millstreet), K O’ Hanlon (Kilshannig), R Harkin (Mallow); M Sugrue (Bandon), G O’ Connor (Boherbue). D Harrington (Adrigole).

Subs: E Buckley (St Michael’s) for Harrington (6 mins, inj); C Moynihan (Gabriel Rangers) for Corkery (24); TJ Brosnan (Newmarket) for O’Neill (HT); P Condon (Mayfield) for O’Connor (48); S O’Leary (Bantry Blues) for C Brosnan (52); N McCarthy (Kinsale) for Murphy (57, inj).

Kerry: D O’Shea (Ballydonoghue); D Brosnan (Gneeveguilla), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), C Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht); P Clifford (Templenoe) A Barry (Na Gaeil), L Bastible (John Mitchels); A Spillane (Templenoe), M O’Donnell (Austin Stacks); B Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue), P O’Donoghue (St Mary’s), D Foran (St Senan’s); SM Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht), K Hurley (St Pats), N O’Shea (Dromid Pearses).

Subs: F Clifford (Waterville) for Brosnan (40 mins); L O’Donoghue for Clifford (46); K O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for O’Donnell (48); R Wharton (Renard) for Foran (51); S O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for Hurley (54); A Barry (Brosna) for S O’Sullivan (62).

Referee: D Grogan (Tipperary).