Cork have unfinished business

Gavin Cummiskey on how the Leesiders are determined to avenge last year's under-21 final defeat.

If recent underage evidence is anything to go on, the annual Kerry stroll through Munster at underage level is a thing of the past. Cork return to the under-21 All-Ireland final this Sunday with unfinished business, to make good last year's final defeat to Galway.

Mayo are the opposition this time.

Cork selector Mick O'Loughlin was sent up to Croke Park yesterday to give journalists the low-down on what to expect in Ennis on Sunday.

The first real question was the state of Cork football.

"You must remember Cork under-21s have been to the last two All-Ireland semi-finals. I think it is our turn. We would expect to be successful on Sunday. We wouldn't line out otherwise," he says.

"The hurling has taken over in the last few years but I think this is our chance now."

We are standing pitch-side in the shadow of an empty Hill 16. Dermot Earley is there in his role as a judge for competition sponsors Cadburys' "Hero of the Match" award.

The great Kildare midfielder gasps as we walk onto the hallow turf. Even an empty Croke Park captures the imagination.

"As a matter of fact I played under-21 here," says McLoughlin, bringing us back to reality.

"We were beaten by Kildare in the All-Ireland final. Pat Dunny was on that team. It was played here. We didn't have all these stands around. The old Croke Park.

"I played senior here against the Galway three-in-a-row team and was beaten by Meath the following year, 1967."

He played minor, too, and went on to pick up two Munster senior medals in the late '60s.

Cork and Mayo met in a friendly earlier this year but the O'Loughlin's memory clouds when asked to recall it.

"We played Mayo in a challenge match earlier in the year. Cork had a slight victory but I would say we were better prepared at that time of year than they were."

Mayo defender Alan Joyce provides a contrasting recollection of the encounter.

"They taught us a footballing lesson on that day when they came to play us in Mayo so we know they are a strong side."

Cork have been through the mill since. Kerry had them on the ropes and so did Laois, the All-Ireland minor champions of three years ago, but they survived. McLoughlin describes them as the "heirs apparent".

"It's a fairly resilient squad," he notes, "great heart and determination. We were four points down against Laois and four points down with 10 minutes to go against Kerry."

The majority of the team also have last season's defeat against Galway to get out of their system.

"I thought we should have beaten Galway in the under-21 final last year. We struck the crossbar with about five minutes to go. If it had gone in . . . as I said, you must have a bit of luck.

"We have nearly the same side that played last year. I think we have only lost three players so we are in with a great shout.

"They are good enough to win it. Now are they lucky enough?"

With forwards like John Hayes, Fintan Gould and Daniel Goulding they may not require luck. Replays against Kerry and Laois have already tested the mettle. In between these stern challenges, Tipperary and Waterford were obliterated. Goulding has amassed 3-22 in the six-game run to Cusack Park.

Mayo are coming in a bit shy of practice. Leitrim and Roscommon were easily accounted for before pulling away from Galway in the Connacht final. At least they proved their pedigree by overcoming Tyrone, after extra-time, in the semi-final.

With quality defenders like Keith Higgins and Ger Cafferkey, Cork will be hard-pressed to ensure their football revival stays the course.