Down to face Cork in U21 Final

Cork just edged an exciting U21 semi-final encounter with Dublin at a resplendent Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Rebels had one point to spare over the side from the capital, 1-10 to 1-9, but in truth it was a game that Dublin threw away, as they registered 13 wides.

The Munster side were 1-4 to 0-4 points up at the break, the goal coming from the boot of the impressive Colm O’Neill, who eventually ended up with a tally of 1-4.

A Barry O’Rourke goal for the Dubs, eight-and-a-half minutes into the second-half, threatened to turn this game in the Leinster champions’ favour but despite the fact Cork failed to score for a large part of the second-half they held on narrowly and advance to the U21 decider where they will meet Down.

The other semi-final at Pearse Park in Longford saw Down run out 1-14 to 2-9 winners over Mayo.

The Ulster kingpins went in just two points ahead at the break following a Neil Douglas goal for Mayo just before half-time.

Paul Devlin’s goal then extended Down’s lead to 1-12 to 1-7 only for Michael Sweeney to hit a second Mayo goal.

The Connacht champions had a decent goal opportunity near the end of what was a very entertaining game but Jason Doherty failed to get decent purchase on the shot and Gavin Joyce was able to make a comfortable save.

Down’s John Fitzpatrick was sent off after getting a second yellow card but the Mourne County held on to take the win, just three days after their narrow Ulster final triumph over Armagh.