No surprises on a serene Saturday afternoon at Parnell Park, when Cork eased themselves into the All-Ireland under-21 final, despite Antrim's best efforts.

Although Antrim pushed within four points of Cork nine minutes into the second half, Cork essentially shut up shop seven minutes later when Brian O'Keefe hammered home from close range.

Antrim's resistance slackened after that and Cork splashed some gloss on the scoreboard, with Joe Deane pointing before substitute Ben O'Connor struck a point from a sublime angle to leave the score at 3-11 to 0-10.

Antrim enjoyed a lot more possession in the first half, with Malachy Dallas effectively subduing Brian O'Keefe and midfielders Chris Hamill and Kevin McCay generating a fair share of breaking ball. Liam Richmond and Brian McFall converted what ball came their way while Sean Kelly excelled from open play and from dead-ball situations, nailing three frees and a 65 to his way to a seven-point total.

However, Cork looked much stronger throughout their lines, with Sean Og O hAilpin lacing a dominant performance with some exquisite touches and corner forward Deane sparkling more intensely as the match progressed. Senior captain Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Wayne Sherlock swept up at the back and goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack looked utterly assured throughout.

But for all Cork's dominance, they still relied on goals to pull away from Antrim. The Munster side led by 0-3 to 0-2 after nine minutes when they hit their first. It was somewhat fortuitous: a simple Deane free was pulled down and across the line by Antrim goalkeeper Seamus Reid. Neil Ronan quickly added a point for Cork but Antrim retorted with four unanswered points, including two frees from Kelly.

But again Cork raided the Antrim defence, with Deane closing like lightning on a fumble by Ryan Naughton to slide the ball home. They led by 2-7 to 0-8 at the break and were safe after that.

Cork: D Og Cusack; W Sherlock, D O'Sullivan, M Prendergast; D Barrett, D Murphy, S Og O hAilpin; A Walsh, L Mannix; L Ronan (0-2), S O'Farrell, M O'Connell (0-4, two frees), B O'Keefe (1-2), J Anderson, J Deane (2-6). Subs: Ben O'Connor (0-1) for J Anderson (43 mins).

Antrim: S Reid; M Kettle, M McCambridge, M Dallas; C Cunning, R McNaughton, P McMullan; C Hamill, K McCay; S Kelly (0-7, three frees, one 65), K McKeegan, J McIntosh; A Delargey (0-1), B McFall (0-2), L Richmond (0-1).