Counihan staying firmly focused

CORK manager Conor Counihan is reluctant to draw comparisons between the Rebel County’s current success at U21 level and their monopoly of the grade in the 1980s that led to a golden period for the senior side.

Monday’s stunning success over Down saw Cork post their second title in three years at this grade, overtaking Kerry at the top of the roll of honour and signalling perhaps a return to a golden era for the game in the county.

Cork teams dominated the U21 grade during the 1980s accumulating six titles in ten years, and laying the foundations for future senior success which saw the Leesiders reach four successive All Ireland finals between 1987 and 1990, winning the latter two&.