Down show an edge that can swing it

GAELIC GAMES UNDER-21 FINAL: Cork v Down WHEN IT comes to final predictions, you look at form and consistency of both teams and take it from there. The problem with this afternoon's Cadbury All-Ireland under-21 football final is that the form and consistency of both Cork and Down has been somewhat questionable.

Cork, for sure, will know they’ve been fortunate to have progressed this far. Their campaign opened with a comprehensive win over reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry in the Munster championship, but they needed an injury-time goal to defeat Tipperary in the provincial final.

Then came the even greater escape against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final in Thurles a fortnight ago – where they emerged winners, 1-10 to Dublin’s 1-9. The theme of that game was Dublin’s shooting in front of goal – and the 16 wides they racked up over the 60 minutes which unquestionably resulted in their downfall.

Cork, however, are a fine side, littered with quality. There are missing team captain Colm O’Neill, who sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Dublin, and also centre forward Shane McCarthy, who was handed a four-week suspension arising from an incident in the same game, and was unsuccessful in his appeal to the Central Hearings Committee.

O’Neill’s loss could prove decisive, and certainly puts added pressure on the likes of David Goold and Ciarán Sheehan to maximise the scoring opportunities.

They won’t lack any incentive, naturally, and another title here would see Cork surpass Kerry as the county with the most under-21 titles – both counties are currently tied on 10 a piece.

Down, meanwhile, are aiming to win only their second All-Ireland title since 1979 – having lost their last final to Galway four years ago. They’ve been a good bit more consistent than Cork, at least in surviving the always daunting Ulster championship. They beat Fermanagh and Tyrone, and then survived an epic against Armagh.

After beating Armagh they defeated Mayo three days later.

Given their more proven resilience Down will at least start as favourites, and despite the difficulties in predicting any under-21 game, should also take the title.

CORK: A Seymour; Sean McLoughlan, L Jennings, N Galvin; C O'Driscoll, A Walsh, B Daly; C O'Donovan, K O'Driscoll; C Sheehan, M Collins, C O'Driscoll; C O'Neill, D Goold, P Honahan.

DOWN: tbc