Defiant Cork U21s prove their mettle

Cork 2-15 Monaghan 1-16: In an otherwise forgettable spring for Cork football, the county’s U21’s have been a breath of fresh air.

Twice they’ve been subjected to stern examination, both times they’ve come through with an unblemished report card. And just as had been the case in Tralee for the Munster final, it was the pace, confidence and accuracy of their front six, the half- forward line in particular, which took Sean Hayes’ side past Monaghan and back into the All-Ireland final after a three-year absence.

Michael Hurley, with his opening point on 26 minutes, was the last member of the Cork forward unit to write his name onto the ledger. He’d finish with 0-3 and the man of the match award. It was a piece of crystal that, no disrespect to the Castlehaven youngster, could easily have gone to Sean O’Donoghue, or to Seán Powter, such was the prominence of the Rebel forwards.