Donegal failed to overcome a strong Cork side in today’s All Ireland’s semi-final in the All- Ireland Vocational Schools match in Portarlington, Co. Laois.
The teams last met in last year’s final with Donegal coming out on top after a controversial first game which saw Cork awarded an extra point.
Manager Joe McKelvey saw his brave side go down by 1-13 to 0-08.
Donegal had been on a high after winning their Ulster final clash.
They went in at the break leading 0-8 to 0-5 but the Corkmen, with the wind at their back in the second half, unleashed a torrent of points without reply.
But the Rebel County proved a step too far today for the Co Donegal lads.
The loss of Conor Green before the game and the further loss of corner forward Willie Gillespie after just two minutes didn’t help matters.
“We are disappointed,” said Manager McKelvey afterwards.
“The lads gave all they could but Cork were just that bit better on the day. We had a good first half. Who knows – if we had have been playing against that strong wind in the first half things might have been different.
“But we have no complaints. Cork were technically a very good side and we wish them all the best in the final,” he said.
McKelvey thanked his mentors John Joe O’Shea, Tom Rowan, Seoirse Doherty, Martin Regan and Frank Dooley and the many supporters who travelled the long distance to Laoise for the game.
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