CORK AND CAVAN were celebrating provincial U21 glory last night as their respective dominance of Munster and Ulster continues.
It’s the fourth year in a row that the Rebels and the Breffni have finished top of the pile in their provinces.
It’s the third time in Cork’s history that they have achieved a four-in-a-row in Munster having previously won out 1979-1982 and 2004-2007. For Cavan it’s unchartered territory as they became only the second county in Ulster to do four-in-a-row after Tyrone did likewise between 2000 and 2003.
Here’s how the two counties have managed it.
2014
Cork triumphed on home soil last night in Páirc Uí Rinn with a 1-18 to 3-9 success over Tipperary. Sean Kiely fired home the Rebels goal while Alan Cadogan and Dan McEoin posted 0-5 apiece as Cork gained revenge for their 2011 minor final loss to the Premier.
Cavan left it late before defeating Donegal by 2-6 to 0-8 at the Athletic Grounds. They were ahead 1-2 to 0-2 at the break with Joe Dillon raising their green flag with the vital second goal arriving courtesy of Liam Buchanan late on.
2013
Cork travelled to Thurles and came away with the spoils as they defeated Tipperary 1-17 to 0-9. Mark Sugrue bagged their goal with Cadogan, McEoin, Brian Hurley and Luke Connolly striking 0-3 apiece.
At Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Cavan overcame Donegal by 0-13 to 1-6. Jack Brady, Enda O’Reilly and Chris Conroy led the scoring charge.
2012
Cavan got the better of Tyrone by 1-10 to 0-10 in Enniskillen. Darragh Sexton struck the only goal of the game and that transpired to be a crucial score while Kevin Tierney weighed in with 0-5 and Jack Brady landed 0-3.
Down in Tralee, Cork came away with the spoils after extra-time against Kerry in Austin Stack Park with a 2-12 to 1-14 success. Donal Og Hodnett and Luke Connolly grabbed their goals while Brian Hurley struck 0-4.
2011
Cavan claimed a famous success with a 1-10 to 0-10 victory over Tyrone in Brewster Park. Niall Murray pounced for the only goal of the game with Jack Brady hitting 0-4 while captain Gearoid McKiernan and Barry Reilly both raised a brace of white flags.
Cork were completely in control in their decider against Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn with a sparkling 2-24 to 0-8 success. Barry O’Driscoll struck 1-6, Hodnett fired 1-4, Mark Collins hit 0-7 and Ciaran Sheehan bagged 0-3.
