The Cork Youth League, on their 20th anniversary, added yet another FAI Youth Inter-League title (their 5th in 10 years) to their growing list of achievements with a comeback win over the Mayo football league at a well-attended Fairgreen in Limerick.

In a fast paced opening 15 minutes highlighted by a frantic press from both sides it was Mayo who created the first opportunity when Ashton Judge crossed and Simeon Popov headed just over. Cork too had their chance early on to break the deadlock, Evan Cummins created for Padraig McGrath to drag an effort wide of Costello’s goal.

The opening goal arrived on 23 minutes, an attack from Mayo prematurely ending when Cork defender Finn Hagermark intercepted a pass, however the resulting back pass from the centre back took an unfortunate bobble as it arrived at the feet of goalkeeper Kirian, and despite the netminders best efforts he could not prevent the ball crossing the line to the delight of the Mayo following.

To Cork’s credit the heads did not drop and they were on level terms on 33 minutes, Cummins winning the midfield battle to set up Kai O’Neill who hit a ferocious right footed drive, which after a slight deflection, was well saved by Costello only for the rebound to fall kindly to Ty Corcoran who scored from close range.

Cork started the second half on the front foot and took the lead for the first time on 54 minutes, the wizardry of O Neill creating the opportunity for Padraig McGrath to swivel brilliantly and find the bottom corner from 12 yards.  The Leesiders could have extended their lead on three occasions in the next ten minutes but found Costelloe in outstanding form, the best of a trio of great saves denying McGrath from an attempted lob to superbly push the ball out for a fruitless corner.

The final quarter was managed brilliantly by Cork who maintained the pace and press that they started the game with, O’Neill unlucky not to cap a fine performance with an effort that grazed the post. Mayo played their part in a very sporting game and will lament Place’s late effort with the goal at his mercy.  Huge credit too to the match officials who greatly assisted a free flowing, entertaining final.
 

Mayo Football League: Oisin Costello, Sean Hughes (McLoughlin 83), Ashton Judge, Zach Stone (Moran 86), Tom McGeough, Darragh Reynolds, Rian Durkan (Hosty 69), Theo Bellanger (Place 60), Tiernan Brady, Jack Walsh (O'Brien 76), Simeon Popov

Substitutes: Eoghan McManamon, Jack o Brien, Fionn McLoughlin, Ben Place, Ethan Hosty, Adam Moran, Eoghan Moran
 

Cork Youth League: Hordi Kirian, Daniel Mellerick (Dow 90), Colm Harte, Finn Hagermark, Connor Gardiner, Kealan Crowe, Ty Corcoran (Fonseca 89), Evan Cummins (McCarthy 90), Padraig McGrath, Joe Mouret (O Sullivan 79), Kai O'Neill

Substitutes: Ruairi Jeffers, Karim Silva Lima Fonseca, Sam Dow, Dylan O'Sullivan, Josh Barry, Dylan McCarthy, Eoin Gibson
 

Referees Paul Farrell, Sam Ralph (1st Assistant) Eoin Fagan (2nd Assistant) Sean Finn (4th Official)