CORK will bid to reach their first All-Ireland minor football semi-final since 2021 when they take on Meath in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday (2pm).

Keith Ricken’s side have impressed throughout the campaign, winning all four of their championship matches and securing Cork’s first Munster minor title since 2022.

The Rebels edged Kerry after extra time in the provincial decider (1-13 to 0-14), while Meath were beaten by Kildare on penalties in the Leinster final.

There is a strong West Cork presence in the Cork set-up. Carbery Rangers’ Maurice Moore is part of the management team, while Kilmeen’s Rory Twohig, Adrigole’s Conor Downing, Urhan’s Kieran O’Shea, Barryroe’s Conrad Murphy and Clonakilty’s Tom Whooley all started the Munster final.

Newcestown’s Donncha O’Mahony and Barryroe’s Riley O’Donovan were introduced as substitutes in that victory, while Kevin O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), Fionn O’Donovan (Clonakilty) and Luke O’Neill (Carbery Rangers) are also members of the panel.

Goalkeeper Twohig and midfielder O’Shea have been among Cork’s standout performers. Twohig has conceded just two goals in four championship games and has also chipped in with 0-8, including three two-point frees. O’Shea was named man of the match in the Munster final win over Kerry and has contributed 0-5 from midfield.

Cork’s scoring threat has come from all over the field, with 19 different players getting on the scoresheet in the championship. Riley O’Donovan (2-4), Tom Whooley (1-6), Ben Hegarty (0-13), Alex O’Herlihy (1-9) and Eoghan Ahern (1-7) have led the way.

Ricken will be pleased with the progress his side has made and there is now a genuine opportunity to push on into the last four.

Cork also won the Leinster Development League before beginning their Munster campaign, defeating Louth in the final. The Wee County later ran eventual Leinster champions Kildare to within four points in the provincial semi-final, underlining Cork’s ability to compete with the best teams outside Munster.

Saturday’s quarter-final offers another chance to prove that point.

Meath, however, will provide a stern test. Managed by Royals legend Trevor Giles, they possess several dangerous players. Full-forward Milo Stafford scored 0-6 in the Leinster final, while captain and centre-back Harry McGuirk contributed 0-3 and led by example throughout.

Last year, Cork’s campaign ended in the quarter-finals when eventual champions Tyrone powered their way to victory.

With a Munster title already secured, confidence should be high in the Rebel camp. If they can reproduce the form that carried them to provincial glory, a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals is well within reach.