Cork held off a stirring fourth-quarter comeback from Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh to secure a 3-12 to 3-11 victory and book their place in the Munster U20FC final.

With just 14 minutes of normal time remaining, the Rebels established a seemingly commanding 3-11 to 2-7 lead after Conor Corbett netted their third goal but were soon playing with 14 men following a second yellow card for corner-back Colm O'Donovan.

The Kingdom recorded 1-4 without reply in a remarkably tense finish, a Paul O'Shea penalty goal galvanized the visitors before a Sean Quilter free deep into injury-time drew the sides level.

Having went 18 minutes without scoring, Cork substitute Ciaran O'Sullivan then sent over the winning point against the run the play.

In a first-half that ebbed and flowed, Corbett, who chipped in with 2-4, raised his second green flag on the stroke of the short whistle to give his side a narrow 2-7 to 2-6 advantage at the break.

Goals from Dylan Geaney and Darragh Lyne had Kerry 2-4 to 1-4 ahead, Conor Cahalane scored Cork's opening major.

At Semple Stadium, Tipperary recovered from a slow start to beat Waterford 0-11 to 0-9, with senior star Sean O'Connor hitting six points for the winners.

Waterford found themselves 0-4 to 0-0 in front after 8 minutes but Tipp had got back on level terms by half-time.

The Premier County will now contest their first Munster U20 football championship final in six years.

Dublin's Adam Fearon celebrates after scoring a goal against Meath. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.

Meanwhile, the Leinster decider will be contested by Dublin and Offaly following their respective away victories against Meath and Westmeath.

The Dubs' ability to score goals at vital times proved crucial as they ran out 4-7 to 0-13 winners over the Royals at Pairc Tailteann.

Tom Gray's side hit the net three times after the break through Mark Lavin, Lorcan O'Dell and Adam Fearon.

Meath trailed 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time, Luke Swan's early goal set the tone for the opening period.

Lavin and O'Dell raised green flags inside a minute to stretch Dublin's lead out to ten points, though Meath managed to claw back the deficit to three in injury-time.

But a fourth goal from midfielder Fearon was the final nail in the coffin for the hosts.

Declan Kelly's Offaly outlasted Westmeath by two points in the end at TEG Cusack Park, 1-11 to 1-9.

The victors enjoyed a perfect start when Cormac Egan blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

That 12th minute strike put them 1-5 to 1-3 to the good at the break after Westmeath responded with a smashing goal of their own from Devin Hill.

A Liam Moran point had the Lake County in the lead for the first time at 1-8 to 1-7 coming towards the second water-break. 

However, the impressive Aaron Kellaghan and free-taker Jack Bryant grabbed scores to get Offaly over the line.

Tonight's results

Leinster U20FC semi-finals
Offaly 1-11 Westmeath 1-9
Dublin 4-7 Meath 0-13

Munster U20FC semi-finals
Cork 3-12 Kerry 3-11
Tipperary 0-11 Waterford 0-9

Upcoming fixtures (Thursday 22 July)

Leinster U20FC final
Offaly v Dublin, Portlaoise, 7.30pm

Munster U20FC final
Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium, 7.30pm

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