Cork's young stars to add another title

Like last year's meeting of the same counties, this year's under-21 All-Ireland hurling final between Galway and Cork is eagerly awaited. Unlike last year, tomorrow's match at Thurles (3.45) may actually live up to its billing.

Twelve months ago, Galway had done little except drive the scoreboard operators mad in a lop-sided semi-final against Derry but even that disparity in preparation didn't explain the subdued performance put in by the then holders, who conceded goals at vital stages to lose by seven points.

One of the undoubted influences on Galway's poor attitude was the injury to Kevin Broderick, who played for an afflicted first half before going off. He is fit and ready for tomorrow. Galway do, however, have problems and haven't been able to name a full team.

Goalkeeper Nigel Murray and wing forward Darren O'Shaughnessy are unavailable because of injury.

Murray's form in the semi-final was erratic and resulted in the concession of two goals, although concentration lapses were forgivable as Galway overwhelmed Kilkenny for most of the match.

These counties have a lengthy under-age rivalry in recent times and whereas Galway had the better of it in the mid-1990s, Cork have been gaining the upper hand in the last two seasons. With the All-Ireland minor title already in the county, the holders will be expected to complete the under-age set.

Ten of last year's team line out for Cork while Galway have seven. An even more encouraging indicator for the Munster champions is the progress of the players who have graduated to senior ranks.

Apart from Broderick, the other Galway players have yet to make a consistent mark on senior hurling although Eugene Cloonan and Alan Kerins have shown promise. Cork, conversely, include Sean O hAilpin, Sean O'Farrell, Joe Deane and Diarmuid O'Sullivan (this year's senior captain) all of whom made an impact as the county won the National League. The holders' defence is virtually intact from last year and is taken to be sufficiently solid to keep out Galway. Wayne Sherlock will hardly allow Broderick the same latitude as he enjoyed the last day and his colleagues will exert considerably greater pressure than Kilkenny managed.

Alan Kerins played well in the semi-final and Galway will be competitive here but Cork's forwards still look too menacing, with the strength of O'Farrell, the rapier thrusts of Deane and the reliable dead-ball striking of Micky O'Connell giving the team an edge and with it the retention of the title.

GALWAY: T Grogan; L Madden, V Maher, J Feeney; F Healy, M Healy, G Lynskey; P Walsh, A Kerins; R Gantley, C Connaughton, M Cullinane; K Broderick, M Kerins, E Cloonan.

CORK: D Og Cusack; M Prendergast, D O'Sullivan, W Sherlock; D Barrett, D Murphy, S Og O hAilpin; A Walsh, L Mannix; N Ronan, T McCarthy, M O'Connell; B O'Keeffe, S O'Farrell, J Deane.