Following Tyrone's one point win over Donegal in an enthralling Ulster Final last night, the last of the Eirgrid U21 Provincial finals takes place tonight.
The provincial finals have been a treat so far, with Saturday's thrilling, nay life-affirming, Connacht final being the pick of the bunch. Yesterday, Tyrone squeezed past Donegal thanks to an injury time free. Tyrone led throughout, aided by Conor Meyler's early goal. However, as Tyrone sought to close out the game, Donegal, who had been merely hanging in there before that, rose from their slumber and hit three quick-fire points which levelled the game as injury time loomed.
However, Tyrone raced up the pitch, manufactured a free and full-forward Daniel McNulty stepped forward to send Tyrone into the semi-final. Roscommon up next.
Cork have ruled this grade down south for the past four years, but have only once advanced to the All-Ireland final in that time, when they defeated Cavan in the 2013 semi-final. They eventually lost the decider to Galway.
They fought off Kerry in the semi-final in Pairc Ui Rinn, precipitating Darragh O'Sé's resignation as Kerry U21 manager. Corner forward Sean O'Donoghue blasted home their only goal early on and wing forward Cathal Vaughan tagged on a few frees to keep Kerry at arms length.
Captain and midfielder Brian O'Driscoll, who lined out with brothers Colm and Kevin in the League last year, also chipped in with a point.
Tipperary, who took provincial honours in this grade in 2010, are sweating on the fitness of their influential nineteen year old senior star Colin O'Riordan. And their comfortable but hardly swaggering victory over Clare in a dreary semi-final wont have frightened the competition. Nonetheless, their record at underage level in the past five years demands respect.
