A major step on

Diarmuid Sheehan reflects on Cork’s All-Ireland minor title win, which added to the recent Under-20 title success bodes well for the future of Cork football

RYING to analyse last Sunday’s All Ireland Minor Football Final is like trying to describe a terrifying roller coaster ride: the twists and turns, the peaks and troughs, the near G-force pressures that were put on those playing and watching as Cork first looked beat, then looked to be on a roll - before being almost out, then level and ultimately comfortable winners. It’s even tiring trying to describe what happened in one sentence.

Cork stated ok but soon enough Galway took control and looked the more likely side to win as the first half ground to an end. A good start was required but again it was Galway that impressed and cork looked to be in poor shape.

A goal from Jack Cahalane, points from Conor Corbett and scores from others, including two brilliant points from Millstreet’s Darragh Cashman saw Cork back in front and from there it looked theirs.

Roll on a quarter of an hour and again Cork looked beat but a late goal from Corbett, an extra time masterclass from all quarters and Cork are champions and who could begrudge – who apart from Galway that is.

This was a win secured thanks to the efforts from players all over the pitch and those that made belated entrances. Corbett was the star of the show but he wasn’t the only one to impress.

Ryan O’Donovan was sensational after coming on with Cork keeper Cian O’Leary pulling off two brilliant saves that kept his side in the game when things looked to be going badly wrong.

At the back Cork were solid, even though Tomo Culhane was causing no end of problems. Daniel Linehan at full back helped battled hard with Millstreet’s Darragh Cashman giving a master class. Culhane and his attacking buddy Daniel Cox are a duo that football fans around the country will likely see for many years to come and the pairing will cause many more defences issues before they ultimately hang up their boots – but Cork’s defenders did well under