Battle of Knocknaclashy Boyle had inspired a mutiny among the English Royalist garrison in Cork, causing them to defect to the Parliamentarians. This had outflanked the defences of Irish Confederates and English Royalists, causing them to retreat behind the river Shannon into Connacht, where they held the fortified cities of Limerick and Galway. Henry Ireton went on to besiege Limerick. The only organised Irish forces remaining in south Munster were those of Donagh MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry, who held out in the mountainous area of west Cork and county Kerry – which was his clan’s native territory. In July 1651, Muskerry set out from
Cork–Kerry Gaelic football rivalry the clash of these two teams has endured over the last 120 years. Kerry are the most successful team in the history of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, leading the all-time roll of honour with thirty-five titles. Cork, in comparison, have only won seven All-Ireland titles. The rivalry began in 1889 when these two sides met in the championship for the first time. Cork dominated the first decade, before Kerry found their niche. A brief resurgence by Cork in the early years of the new century was followed by an unprecedented era of dominance by Kerry. Between 1909 and 1943