Seventeen years later

Cork was doubly represented in the Croke Park finals of 1993, but though the minor footballers brought home the bacon, the graduation to senior level was poor. One of Cork’s forwards that day is determined to ensure the present crop of minors do better. Fintan O’Toole explains

BRIAN Cuthbert can recall the events of September 19, 1993, with revealing clarity. The grey clouds that hung over Croke Park, the star-studded Meath minor outfit vieing with them for All-Ireland honours and the expectant Cork football supporters packed around the ground awaiting double glory. The seniors’ dreams of success were soured by Derry but the Cork minors claimed an improbable win over Meath and Cuthbert alighted the steps of the Hogan Stand to raise the Tom Markham Cup aloft.

“It was the highlight of my career so I wouldn’t be forgetting it in a hurry,” says Cuthbert. “I still don’t really know how we managed to win it. I read Trevor Giles in the paper recently talking about how seven of that Meath side went onto win All-Ireland senior medals whereas we’d a team of fellas who were over 14 stone. But it was an amazing day to be up in Croke Park, captaining your county to an All-Ireland win. The seniors losing was a downside to the day. Coming home you didn’t know how you could celebrate when so many Cork people were disappointed.”