Preview: All-Ireland U21FC final - Cork v Galway
May 04, 2013A Kildare versus Cavan decider would have guaranteed a bumper pay day for the Association's coffers but both Cork and Galway threw a spanner in the works.
Cork survived a scare against Cavan in the semi-final before winning on a scoreline of 0-15 to 1-11.
Extra-time looked a distinct possibility when the Breffni County were awarded a late, scoreable free but Rebel County supporters exhaled a sigh of relief when Enda Reilly was off-target with his effort.
The John Cleary managed side secured a third Munster title in a row at the expense of Tipperary but they haven't managed to get their hands on the national silverware since 2009.
Galway, meanwhile, are sweating over the fitness of Daithi Burke who is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Centre-back Burke missed out on the Connacht final win over Roscommon but returned for the shock semi-final win over a highly-rated Kildare outfit.
The Alan Flynn managed outfit booked their final ticket with a 2-10 to 2-5 win over the Lilywhites.
The team in maroon and white punished Kildare's wasteful shooting in front of the posts and they had excellent performances from full-back James Shaughnessy, centre-forward Sean Moran and corner-forward Shane Walsh.
As the betting odds suggest, this is a difficult game to call but Cork get a tentative vote to add to their 11 titles at the top of the U21 football roll of honour.
Verdict:Cork
Cork - David Hanrahan; Conor Dorman, Damian Cahalane, Alan Cronin; Brian O'Driscoll, Tom Clancy, Jamie Wall; Sean Kiely, Ian Maguire; Alan Cadogan, Mark Sugrue, John O'Rourke; Dan MacEoin, Brian Hurley, Luke Connolly.
Galway - Thomas Healy; Eoin Walsh, James Shaughnessy, David Cunnane; Mark Loughnane, Daithi Burke, Paul Varley; Thomas Flynn, Fiontáin Ó Curraoin; Cathal Mulryan, Sean Moran, Damien Comer; Shane Walsh, Adrian Varley, Ian Burke.
Odds: Cork 5/6, Draw 7/1, Leitrim 5/4
Match Details:Gaelic Grounds, 7pm, Saturday May 4th Tweet
