Classy Cork minor footballers book their place in All-Ireland final

Cork 4-12

Mayo 1-13

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

ON MAY 7th, Cork lost by 16 points in their first game of the Munster MFC. Fast forward to August 10th, and the young Rebels have booked their place in the All-Ireland decider after a superb win against Mayo in Croke Park this afternoon.

Conor Corbett led the way with 2-3 while Patrick Campbell and Daniel Lenihan also added goals in another polished Cork performance that follows on from their impressive quarter-final triumph against Ulster champs Monaghan.

Man of the match Campbell struck for an early goal in this semi-final and that settled Bobbie O’Dwyer’s charges. He finished the first half with 1-1, while Michael O’Neill and Hugh Murphy both added 0-2 apiece as Cork led 1-7 to 0-7 at the break. Jack Cahalane and Corbett also added points in that first half.

Mayo narrowed the gap to two twice in the second half before Lenihan’s goal at the three-quarter mark pushed Cork 2-9 to 0-10 clear. When Corbett added the first of his two goals, Cork led 3-10 to 0-10 with ten minutes left – and they were powering into the final. Corbett added a fourth goal late on to cap another superb display.

Cork could yet play Kerry in the All-Ireland final as the Kingdom meet Galway in Sunday’s second semi-final.