Cork 2-13 Laois 2-13: Chris Bergin was the hero for Laois at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday when he slotted the equalising point, in extra time, in a marvellously entertaining Cadbury All-Ireland under-21 semi-final, played in perfect conditions.

The replay has been fixed for next Saturday at the same venue (3.30pm). Seconds before Bergin's intervention, the Cork substitute Fiachra Lynch had tilted the balance in his side's favour.

Midway through the second half in normal time, Laois were five points in arrears, at 2-6 to 0-7, and in fact they took the lead for the first time during the extra period when yet another substitute, Stephen O'Leary, netted.

Daniel Goulding gave the Rebels the perfect start inside three minutes when he raced on to a long delivery from midfielder Daniel Goulding, and, drawing goalkeeper Conor Gorman, glided the ball to an unguarded net.

The Laois response was immediate, Colm Kelly and Peter McNulty contributing points, but Paul Kerrigan dampened spirits with two quick replies, hitting a point from 30 yards and, more crucially, delivering his side's second goal, initiated by Alan O'Connor, to leave it 2-1 to 0-2.

A well organised Laois, seeking their first final appearance since 1998, remained in contention with four points on the trot from Donal Brennan (two) Peter O'Leary and McNulty.

The impressive O'Connor and Fintan Gould regained supremacy in midfield for Cork, and the latter put more distance between the teams with two points. It might have been worse for Laois, now trailing 2-4 to 0-6, were it not for a brilliant goalline save by corner back Cahir Healy from James Murphy.

McNulty and Goulding traded scores in the lead-up to half-time.

The 1,500 attendance had to wait until the 44th minute for the next score, a point from Cork's Patrick Kelly. In between, Laois had the upper hand but McNulty, Brennan and Michael Tierney were well contained by a Cork rearguard expertly marshalled by centre back Michael Shields and full back Chris Murphy.

Behind 2-6 to 0-7, Laois had to come up with answers fast. And all changed inside four amazing minutes. Substitute Niall Donagher's delicate chip found the alert Donie Brennan, who, one on one with goal goalkeeper Ken O'Halloran, fisted to an unguarded net.

Laois saw further light at the end of the tunnel when Michael Tierney and David Murphy restored parity, at 2-6 to 1-9.

Just when it appeared Kerrigan's 59th-minute point might settle the issue, up popped Daniel Murphy to send the game into an extra 20 minutes. The opening period was tense, but substitute O'Leary, with his first touch of the ball, struck a goal for Laois to give them the lead for the first time, at 2-11 to 2-9.

CORK: K O'Halloran; R Carey, C Murphy, S O'Donoghue; D Limerick, M Shields, E Cadogan; A O'Connor, P Kelly (0-1); F Gould (0-5), B Cotter, P Kerrigan (1-2); D Goulding (1-1), P O'Flynn, J Murphy (0-1f). Subs: C Callinan for O'Flynn (36 mins), A O'Sullivan for B Cotter (42 mins), C Keane (0-2) for Kelly (58 mins), P O'Flynn for Callinan (67 mins), F Lynch (0-1) for Murphy (70 mins).

LAOIS: C Gorman; C Healy, M Timmons, B Meredith; C Rogers, C Ryan, P O'Leary (0-1); B Quigley, D Murphy (0-2); D Brennan (1-2), C Bergin (0-1), P McNulty (0-4); M Tierney (0-1), C Kelly (Stradbally) (0-1), C Kelly (St Joseph's). Subs: R Stapleton for Meredith (21 mins), N Donagher (0-1) for Bergin (43 mins), S O'Leary (1-0) for Tierney (66 mins). C Bergin for P O'Leary (58 mins).

Referee: J McKee (Armagh).