Final stumble undermines impressive U21 campaign

the misfortune to have a short kick-out intercepted, and Mayo’s fifth goal soon followed to put the issue beyond all doubt.

Needless to say, Casey’s error was the main talking-point in the post-match discussions, but he had no chance with the three balls that beat him earlier, which stemmed from mistakes by others and contributed every bit as much to Cork’s demise. There certainly wouldn’t have been as much focus on the Kiskeam lad’s mistake had it not occurred at such an advanced stage of the proceedings.

You can’t expect to win an All-Ireland final when you leak five goals, and Cork’s defensive melt-down couldn’t have been anticipated, given that they had conceded just two goals in their previous four outings.

Casey, Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Kieran Histon (Cobh) and John Mullins (Éire Óg) had performed creditably at the back earlier in the campaign, but it was primarily due to the input from such as Michael Hurley (Castlehaven), Sean Powter (Douglas), Brian Coakley (Carrigaline) and especially Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael) in attack that Cork advanced to the decider.

Midfielders Sean White (Clonakilty) and Ronan O’Toole (Éire Óg) also contributed generously to Cork’s progress, and it was an obvious blow that White was blackcarded and O’Toole was forced off injured during the third quarter of the final.

That Cork didn’t enjoy the rub of the green on the day is beyond dispute, but at the same time it has to be acknowledged they encountered a very formidable Mayo outfit, who, if only because all five of their goals were out of the top drawer, deserved to come out on top by 5-7 to 1-14.

The Cork minors were well-beaten by an excellent Kerry side in the Munster final, and they flattered to deceive in an All-Ireland quarter final clash with Donegal after that.

With Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg) and Damien Gore (Kilmacabea) to the fore in attack where Mark Buckley (Dohenys) looked a class-act at full-forward, they were much the better team in the first half when Donegal bagged a goal against the run of play to remain in touch.

Midfielder Cathal Foley (Kilmichael), and defenders Liam O’Donovan (Clonakilty), Tadgh Corkey (Aghabullogue) and Aidan Browne (Newmarket) were others to impress as Cork ran the show before the break.

They turned overleading by 0-10 to 1-3, but Donegal became a transformed side in the second half, and were full value for their 2-13 to 0-13 victory in the end. Parading a very strong side on paper, the Cork juniors – 14-point winners over Tipperary in the semi-final – were warmly fancied to lift the Munster title when they squared up to Kerry, who had scraped home in their semi final clash with Limerick.

They failed to perform to their potential, however, and, despite an outstanding display from Millstreet’s Michael Vaughan, who scored six points from play, they went under by 0-14 to 0-13 in Tralee to the eventual All Ireland