All-Ireland Under-21 FC Semi-final replay/Cork 1-7 Laois 0-8: After a frustrating first half, which saw them record nine wides and miss a penalty, Cork, thanks to a 41st minute goal from Caragh Keane, finally got it right in this tightly-contested under-21 football semi-final replay at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday before a crowd of 2,000.
They will now meet Mayo in their first final appearance since 1994 at this level. The final will be played next Sunday at Cusack Park, Ennis (2.30).
Laois, who led for most of the game until Keane's strike, which left it 1-5 to 0-5, were unable to find the required response, though they did stage a late rally with Kevin Meaney, Michael Tierney and Colm Kelly all registering points.
By then though, the physically stronger Cork side, who saw John Hayes and Daniel Goulding twice hit the woodwork inside the same number of minutes at the start of the second period, had assumed control.
Paul O'Flynn and Daniel Goulding further consolidated their position, leaving Laois with all the hard work to do.
The Munster champions learned more from the initial meeting and inspirational defenders Ray Carey and Chris Murphy, as well as towering midfielders Alan O'Connor and Patrick Kelly, played significant roles in their victory.
Laois were never given the same freedom this time out, and with just five points on the board in 50 minutes, realised it would take something extra special to turn the tide in their favour.
Yet, the eventual winners must have feared for their prospects after 17 minutes when, after dominating most sectors, they trailed by 0-3 to 0-1.
Laois might have strengthened their hold but for a terrific piece of goalkeeping by Ken O'Halloran who denied Michael Tierney in a one-to-one.
Cork's second point, from Goulding, on 22 minutes, was cancelled by Colm Kelly of Stradbally. John Hayes narrowed the deficit to 0-4 to 0-3, before Cork were presented with a great chance of taking the lead just on the break, when Goulding was pulled down by Craig Rogers.
Once more they were found wanting in the art of scoring, Hayes shooting the penalty wide.
Michael Tierney and Fintan Gould traded points on the turnover. But all changed when Goulding floated the ball into the path of Keane who delivered the goal that mattered.
Cork left it to O'Flynn and Goulding to further their cause while in a late flurry, Tierney, Kevin Meaney and Colm Kelly replied for Laois at the other end.
CORK: K O'Halloran; R Carey, C Murphy, S O'Donoghue, D Limerick, M Shields, E Cadogan; A O'Connor, P Kelly; F Gould (0-2), C Keane (1-0), P Kerrigan, D Goulding (0-2), P O'Flynn (0-2), J Hayes (0-1, free). Sub: J Murphy for Hayes (54 mins).
LAOIS: C Gorman; C Healy, M Timmons, R Stapleton, C Rogers, C Ryan, P O'Leary; B Quigley, D Murphy, D Brennan, C Bergin, P McNulty, M Tierney (0-3), C Kelly (0-3) (Stradbally), C Kelly (0-1) (St Joseph's). Subs: N Donagher for Bergin (40 mins), K Meaney (0-1) for Murphy (55 mins).
Referee: J White (Donegal).
