Minor and under-21

Kerrigan was just 16-years-old when he was drafted onto the Cork minor football team for the 2003 Munster Minor Championship. He made his first appearance for the team when lining out at left wing-forward in the 2-18 to 0-08 defeat of Tipperary, before later lining out in the same position in the Munster final defeat by Kerry.

In 2004, Cork qualified for a Munster final showdown with arch-rivals Kerry. That game ended in a 0–9 apiece draw.^[19] Cork lost the replay by three points. In spite of this Cork were still in with a chance of claiming the All-Ireland title. A 1–9 apiece draw was the result of their All-Ireland quarter-final game against Laois, however, Kerrigan's side were defeated at the second attempt.

In 2005 Kerrigan joined the Cork under-21 football team and was immediately appointed captain for the year. He made his debut in a Munster quarter-final victory over Kerry and, after overcoming Clare, Kerrigan subsequently lined out in the provincial decider against Limerick. A close game developed, however, Cork held on to win by 1–14 to 1–11 and Kerrigan collected his first Munster under-21 winners' medal. Cork were later beaten by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Kerrigan was a key fixture on the starting fifteen of the Cork under-21 team once again in 2006. He lined out in the provincial decider that year against Waterford, however, the Decies were no match for 'the Rebels'. A 4–14 to 1–6 trouncing gave Cork the victory and gave Kerrigan a second Munster under-21 medal. Cork later manoeuvred through the All-Ireland series and reached the All-Ireland final against Mayo. That game was a close affair, however, at the final whistle Cork were defeated by just two points.^[20]

In 2007 Kerrigan was in his last year as a member of the Cork under-21 team. He lined out in the provincial decider that year against Tipperary and a high-scoring and exciting game developed. Cork won by 3–19 to 3–12 and Kerrigan added a third consecutive Munster under-21 winners' medal to his collection. Cork later reached the All-Ireland final against Laois. Another close and exciting game of football developed as neither side took a decisive lead. Colm O'Neill and Daniel Goulding combined to score two goals and to help Cork to a narrow 2–10 to 0–15 victory. It was Kerrigan's first All-Ireland winners' medal at under-21 level.^[21]

Senior

In 2008 Kerrigan made his debut with the Cork senior football team and lined out in his first Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerrigan was introduced as a substitute as Cork stymied 'the Kingdom' in the second half and secured a remarkable 1–16 to 1–11 victory.^[22] It was Kerrigan's first Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.

The following year Kerrigan had established himself as a member of the Cork starting fifteen, a team that were earmarked as potential All-Ireland contenders. After a defeat of Kerry in a replay of the Munster semi-final, Cork subsequently faced Limerick in the Munster final. Kerrigan had a poor game and was substituted in the second-half, however, 'the Rebels' eventually secured a narrow 2–6 to 0–11 victory.^[23] It was Kerrigan's second Munster title and gave Cork a save passage to an All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Donegal. Kerrigan improved in that game and finished on the winning side after scoring a grand total of 1–4. He had another good performance in Cork's subsequent defeat of Tyrone. Cork then faced Kerry in the All-Ireland final and were surprisingly named as favourites. This tag appeared to be justified when Kerrigan's side led by 1–3 to 0–1 early in the opening half. The Kerry team stuck to their gameplan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions again by 0–16 to 1–9.^[24]

In 2010 Kerrigan was still seen as a key member of Cork's half-forward line. A defeat by Kerry in a replay of the provincial semi-final resulted in Cork being exiled to the All-Ireland qualifiers. After negotiating their way through a difficult series of games, Cork defeated Dublin to qualify for their third All-Ireland final in four years. Down provided the opposition on that occasion in the first meeting between these two teams since 1994. Cork got off to a lightning start, however, they eased off and trailed by three points at the interval. Kerrigan got his sole point of the match to put 'the Rebels' ahead for the first time in fifty minutes. Cork stretched the lead to three points, however, Down fought back. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0–16 to 0–15 and Kerrigan picked up an All-Ireland winners' medal.^[25]