Cork 0-15 Cavan 1-11
CORK SURVIVED A hearty late Cavan rally as the Rebels set up an All Ireland U21 footballer decider with Galway.
The Munster standard bearers seized the initiative in the third quarter and despite a resilient Cavan finish Cork survived to eke out a merited victory.
The match commenced at a blistering speed with Paul O’Connor and Enda Reilly landing sweet points for Cavan.
But Cork responded briskly reeling off four without reply themselves from Brian O’Driscoll, Dan MacEoin, Luke Connolly, and Damien Cahalane.
Jack Brady then terminated a 13 minute search for a Cavan score with a splendid effort from an acute angle.
Cork, though, were slick up front and Connolly squeezed over another excellent point approaching the break.
Alan Cadogan fisted a point to nudge the Rebels into a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage as Cavan were being pegged back.
But Turloch Mooney and Reilly kicked excellent points from distance for the Ulster standard bearers, who narrowed the gap to one.
A MacEoin free on the stroke of half-time ensured Cork went in protecting a 0-7 to 0-5 lead and they started the second period with real intent too.
Four Cork points in eight minutes from Brian Hurley (2), Mark Sugrue, and MacEoin stretched John Cleary’s teams lead to 0-11 to 0-5.
Considering the strong and forceful way the Cork defence were coping with a highly regarded Cavan attack the Rebels had assumed a commanding position.
In the 44th minute Brady finally registered another score for Cavan from a free as Peter Reilly’s side sought to launch a comeback.
Enda Reilly clipped a delightful score, but Cork summoned an instant reply as Mark Sugrue steered them five clear.
Cavan bagged a goal in the 54th minute courtesy of Chris Conroy and a subsequent point from Paul O’Connor left the narrowest of margins between the teams.
Sugrue and Darragh McVitty traded points, but and Cavan levelled in injury time as substitute Conor Moynagh equalised.
MacEoin was ice cool with a free for Cork, and Cavan’s Reilly missed in the dying seconds as Cleary’s charges advanced to the final with Galway.
Scorers for Cork: Dan MacEoin 0-4 (4fs), Mark Sugrue 0-3, Brian Hurley 0-2, Luke Connolly 0-2, Brian O’Driscoll 0-2, Alan Cadogan 0-1, Damien Cahalane 0-1 (45).
Scorers for Cavan: Enda Reilly 0-3, Chris Conroy 1-0, Paul O’Connor 0-2, Jack Brady 0-2 (1f), Conor Madden 0-1, Turloch Mooney 0-1, Darragh McVitty 0-1.
Cork: David Hanrahan (Douglas); Conor Dorman (Bishopstown), Damien Cahalane (Castlehaven), Alan Cronin (Nemo Rangers); Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), Tom Clancy (Clonakilty), Jamie Wall (Kilbrittain); Sean Kiely (Ballincollig), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s); Alan Cadogan (Douglas), Mark Sugrue (Bandon), John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers); Dan MacEoin (Ilen Rovers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers). Subs: Cathal Vaughan (Iveleary) for Cadogan (57), TJ Brosnan (Newmarket) for Clancy (59), Jamie Burns (St Finbarr’s) for Maguire (60).
Cavan: Conor Gilsenan (Bailieborough); Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels), Killian Clarke (Shercock), Ciaran Brady (Arva); Gerry Smith (Lavey), Darragh Sexton (Cavan Gaels), Fergal Flanagan (Butlersbridge); Brian Sankey (Shercock), Michael Argue (Bailieborough); Turloch Mooney (Redhills), Chris Conroy (Lavey), Jack Brady (Ramor Utd); Enda Reilly (Mullahoran), Paul O’Connor (Cavan Gaels), Darragh McVitty (Crosserlough). Subs: Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon) for Sexton (37), Paul Graham (Cavan Gaels) for Mooney (37), Conor Madden (Gowna) for Reilly (48), Joe Dillon (Dun a Ri) for Conroy (57), Enda Reilly (Mullahoran) for O’Connor (60).
Referee: Liam Devanney (Mayo).
