Magical moments ensure Mayo of All-Ireland Under-21 crown

Mayo ..............5-07
Cork ...............1-14

MAYO have been crowned EirGrid All-Ireland Under-21 champions for the first time in a decade.

They carved out a sensational victory over Cork in this evening’s final against Crork at Ennis.

Just when it seemed the Munster champions were taking control after drawing level with two minutes remaining in a game in which Cork had trailed by four points at the break, Mayo half-forward Conor Loftus struck a vital goal to seal the crown for his side. It was his second goal of an exhilarating match,

The score was a killer blow for a spirited Cork outfit that did not lose concentration after having midfielder Sean White black-carded midway through the second half.

Mayo put the gloss on their win when Liam Irwin registered his second goal and his side’s fifth after a short kick-out by Cork goalkeeper Anthony Casey had been intercepted.

The manner of the victory was typical of a Mayo side that had produced similar heroics throughout the campaign, most notably in their provincial final win over Roscommon and penultimate round defeat of Dublin.

And it reflected the degree of resolve and character that Mayo requires to make a similar breakthrough at senior level.

Mayo led by 2-5 to 0-7 at the interval thanks to two goals during stoppage time by Diarmuid O’Connor and Liam Irwin.

Cork mounted an impressive fightback early in the second half but it was temporarily halted by Conor Loftus’s opening goal in the 36th minute as Mayo held a 3-6 to 0-10 advantage.

But Cork refused to falter and succeeded in drawing level before Loftus and Irwin conjured their late magical moments.

Speaking after the game, Mayo midfielder Matthrew Ruane, the man of the match, said words could not describe his joy at winning the title.

“We never do anything the easy way and the fact we scored five goals did not surprise me one bit. It’s an amazing feeling to win.”

Mayo: M. Flanagan, E. O’Donoghue, S. Cunniffe, D. Kenny, S. Akram, M. Hall, J. Kelly, M. Ruane, S. Coen, F. Boland, C. Loftus (2-2, 0-02f), D. O’Connor (1-0), L. Irwin (2-2, 0-01f, 0-01’45), F. Duffy, M. Plunkett (0-2).

Subs used: J. Carr for Duffy (43), B. Duffy for Kelly (57), M. Lyons for Plunkett (57).

Cork: A. Casey, M. McSweeney, J. Mullins, K. Histon, E, Lavers, S. Cronin, K. Flahive, P. Kelleher (1-0), R. O’Toole (0-1), S. White, S. Powter (0-1), R. Harkin (0-2), B. Coakley (0-5, 0-3f), S. O’Donoghue (0-4, 0-3f, 0-1’45), M. Hurley (0-1).

Subs used: S. O’Leary for O’Toole (38), D. O'Duinin for White (46 BC), C. Kiely for Harkin (53), S. Sherlock for Hurley (58), D. Quinn for McSweeney (62).

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh).