Classy Dublin pass stern Cork test

They did not replicate the crushing defeats they inflicted on opponents in the provincial arena, but there was still plenty of merit to and plenty to admire in Dublin’s victory in Saturday’s Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21FC semi-final in Portlaoise.

For the second time in three years Jim Gavin steered a Dublin U21 side into an All-Ireland final and in the process experienced redemption after losing to Cork at this stage three years ago. Dublin entered the encounter on the back of a dazzling Leinster campaign which was defined by the star of Ciarán Kilkenny rising inexorably.

The Castleknock youngster was predictably under the spotlight here, yet Cork managed to stifle his influence, with Alan Cronin shadowing him throughout, while the supply of possession into him was cut out frequently. Yet other Dublin players stepped up to the plate. Full-forward Philip Ryan was the main man as he weighed in with a 2-3 haul, Gary Sweeney scythed through the Cork defence regularly during the opening period while Paul Hudson picked off a couple of lovely points in the second-half.