Mayo may have to wait even longer to bridge gap

Under-21 Football All-Ireland Final/Cork v Mayo: You could be forgiven for getting the feeling ahead of tomorrow's Cadbury's All-Ireland under-21 football final that Mayo people are almost afraid to be optimistic.

The depressing roll-call of failure in All-Ireland finals has been spread across the grades, but there was hardly a more hollow moment for the county than when the under-21s lost the 2004 All-Ireland within six days of the seniors. Five players survive from that defeat by Armagh, a sizeable core of experience at under-age.

Mayo might have preferred to face Laois in the final given the painful history with Cork, who have beaten them in finals at minor, under-21 and senior since the county's last big elite All-Ireland - the 1983 under-21 title under the management of a youthful John O'Mahony.

Stripped of its historical context, this should be an evenly-matched final. Both sides showed skill and bottle in their semi-finals and could be pleased with how they survived adversity. And it will be interesting to see who starts the better.

Mayo's blistering first quarter completely unhinged the Ulster champions and both Michael Conroy and Mark Ronaldson were sharp and elusive in the corners of the attack and similar performances could cause damage because the Cork defence looked a bit unsteady when Laois threw the kitchen sink at them in the drawn match.

Both sides did well at centrefield. Barry Moran was in much improved form for Mayo, but hasn't a settled partner whereas Alan O'Connor and Patrick Kelly were more consistent in the two matches against Laois.

Caragh Keane's return to the Cork attack was a significant influence on the replay victory and with seniors Fintan Goold, Daniel Goulding and John Hayes also present, the Munster champions have plenty of firepower, but Mayo's defence has been sound and captain Keith Higgins outstanding. There's going to be very little in it, but Cork have an edge.

Meanwhile, the Ulster hurling championship begins tomorrow in Ruislip (2pm), with champions Antrim taking on London.

It's the first time in 26 years that Antrim aren't entered into the MacCarthy Cup - they opted for the Christy Ring Cup, even in the midst of a most heartening NHL season.

London escaped relegation in the play-offs despite finishing bottom of Division Two B, but the champions should comfortably progress.

CORK: K O'Halloran; R Carey, C Murphy, S O'Donoghue; D Limerick, M Shields, E Cadogan; A O'Connor, P Kelly; F Goold, C Keane, P Kerrigan; D Goulding, P O'Flynn, J Hayes.

MAYO: K O'Malley; T Howley, G Cafferky, K Higgins; C Barrett; T Canniffe, C Boyle; S O'Shea, B Moran; A Campbell, J Dillon, A Kilcoyne; M Ronaldson, M Hannick, M Conroy.