Cork got the better start to the game, leading 2 points to no score after 5 minutes, both scores coming from Michael Hurley.
A goal chance for Kerry from David Clifford was well saved by Cork keeper Michael Martin.
Cork stretched their lead to 3 before Seán O Shea got Kerry off the mark on 8 minutes from a dead ball.
A fisted effort from Paul Geaney before a point from Brian Hurley maintained Corks 2 point advantage, 0-4 to 0-2.
Another Cork score before a Tom O Sullivan point meant Kerry still trailed by 2 after quarter of an hour.
But, a well worked Brian Hurley goal tipped momentum in Corks favour.
Paudie Clifford slotted over a point just before the water break and Kerry trailed by 4, 1-5 to 0-4.
Killian Spillane came in for Diarmuid O Connor at the water break, the Na Gaeil man holding his ankle having received treatment earlier in the game.
A David Moran point followed by one from Paudie Clifford brought it back to the 3 point game after 22 minutes.
The gap was cut back to 2 as the corner back Tom O Sullivan got his second score of the day.
Jack Barry brought the game back to one point before Seán O Shea levelled it for Kerry in what was a good spell for the green and gold.
Another point from Seán put Kerry in front for the first time in the game after 30 minutes.
A Cork point levelled the game before a wonderful solo goal from Brian Ó Beaglaoich had Kerry 3 points up heading towards the interval.
Further points from Killian Spillane and Seán O Shea meant Kerry went into the break 5 points ahead, 1-12 to 1-7.
The first score of the second half was a goal for Kerry from Paul Geaney, after a well worked move by Seán O Shea.
Paudie Clifford set his sights on a third Kerry goal but opted to slot over Kerry’s first point of the second half, 2-13 to 1-7 on 40 minutes.
Jack Barry put Kerry into a 10 point lead after 45 minutes before Seán O Shea got Kerry’s 3rd goal of the afternoon, tapping in a cross goal pass from Paudie Clifford. 3-14 to 1-7.
The goal hunt continued and the floodgates opened in Killarney, Paul Geaney the latest to score one after 47 minutes.
A free from Seán O Shea meant Kerry led by 17 points at the second half water break, 4-15 to 1-7. Game over as a contest.
The game really began to peter out from here, with 7 more points coming from the Kingdom to just 2 from Cork.
Final score in Fitzgerald Stadium: Kerry 4-22 Cork 1-9
Former Kerry Captain Billy O Shea looks back on a comfortable win for Kerry in Killarney:
Kerry midfielder David Moran
Kerry manager Peter Keane
Cork boss Ronan McCarthy