A late Michael Boyle goal helped Galway to a shock win over Cork in last night's Cadbury All-Ireland U21FC semi-final at Cusack Park, Ennis.

Galway 1-11
Cork 0-12

John Cleary's Cork team had been installed as strong favourites to lift their second All-Ireland title in three years after their 22-point thumping of Kerry in the Munster final, but found the Connacht champions to be a totally different proposition. Boyle scored the only goal 10 minutes from the end after good work by Mark Hehir and Adrian Murphy to secure Galway's place in the final for the first time since 2005.

The Tribesmen began strongly and with Thomas Flynn controlling midfield, they had opened up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead by the 14th minute. But the accuracy of senior star Ciaran Sheehan, who landed three points from play, saw Cork recover well to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

The Munster champions looked to be on course for an expected victory when they stretched their lead to 0-11 to 0-7 11 minutes into the second half, but they would only score once more through substitute Kevin Hallissey in injury-time as Galway rallied with points from Mark Hehir and Eric Monahan to reduce the deficit to the minimum, 0-11 to 0-10, before wing forward Boyle blasted his all-important goal.

Substitute Michael Farragher made it a three-point game moments later as Alan Mulholland's charges held on for a famous victory which earns them a final date with Cavan.

Scorers - Galway: M Hehir 0-5 (3f), M Boyle 1-1, E Monahan 0-2 (1f), P Sweeney, T Flynn, M Farragher 0-1 each. Cork: C Sheehan 0-4, M Collins 0-3 (1f), B O'Driscoll 0-2, D Og Hodnett, K Hallissey, A Walsh 0-1 each.

Galway: M Breathnach; G Sweeney, C Forde, A Tierney; J Moore, J Duane, T Fahy; T Flynn, F O Curraoin; C Doherty, M Hehir, M Boyle; D Cummins, P Sweeney, E Monaghan. Subs: A Muphy for P Sweeney (42), M Farragher for Cummins (57), JJ Greaney for Monahan (60).

Cork: J Mellet; L Jennings, D Cahalane, A Cronin; P Daly, T Clancy, J Wall; M O'Leary, A Walsh; C Sheehan, M Collins, J O'Rourke; D Og Hodnett, B O'Driscoll, B Coughlan. Subs: D Nation for O'Leary (30), K Hallissey for Walsh (47), E Buckley for Coughlan (49).

Referee: J Curley (Meath).

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