They needed more than 80 minutes of action to get over the line but ultimately Cork’s trip to Austin Stack Park in Tralee proved fruitful last night as they retained their Cadbury’s Munster U21 football title with a narrow success over Kerry.

Cork breezed into the final of the Munster U21FC last night in Páirc Uí Rinn yet this comprehensive semi-final success over Clare was overshadowed by captain Rory O’Sullivan limping off in the first-half amidst fears he has torn his cruciate ligament for the second time in his career.

NOT quite a west Cork derby to savour at Skibbereen on Saturday, Ilen Rovers never coming close to the quality they produced in the thrilling opening round loss to Carbery Rangers.

Tyrone 1-13 Cork 1-12

EVEN by the exalted standard of comebacks the Cork minor footballers have engineered this season, what unfolded in Croke Park yesterday was outrageous.

Cork 3-15 Galway 5-8, Croke Park

AS EXPECTED, Cork qualified for a July 4 Munster final meeting with old rivals Kerry after this semi-final win over Tipperary in Semple Stadium last night, but they were made to earn it.