Dublin Unchanged For U20 All-Ireland Final

Dublin have named an unchanged team for Saturday's EirGrid All-Ireland U20FC final against Cork in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise (4.0).

Dublin have scored 11-70 and conceded 1-40 in their four games to date (wins over Longford (4-21 to 0-7), Wexford (1-17 to 0-6), Laois (4-18 to 0-17) and Galway (2-14 to 1-10)). Twelve players have contributed to their scoring tally.

Cork have scored 10-56 and conceded 1-37 in their three games to date (wins over Waterford (5-23 to 0-7), Kerry (3-16 to 0-12) and Tyrone (2-17 to 1-18)). Fifteen players have contributed to their scoring tally.

The Rebels are top of the U21FC Roll of Honour having lifted the Clarke Cup on 11 occasions, the last time in 2009 when they defeated (1-10 to 1-9) a Dublin team, managed by Jim Gavin, containing current seniors Rory O'Carroll, Jonny Cooper, Cian O'Sullivan, Kevin Nolan, Paddy Andrews and Dean Rock in their All-Ireland semi-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Dublin , who are five-times U21 champions, were the last winners at U21 level before it was changed to U20 last year. In 2017 Dublin's U21s defeated Galway in the All-Ireland final with current seniors Evan Comerford, Eoin Murchan, Brian Howard, Con O'Callaghan, Darren Gavin, Andrew McGowan and Paddy Small on board Dessie Farrell's panel.

Looking ahead to Saturday's clash with the Leesiders Dublin manager Tom Gray knows his team need to bring their 'A' game.

"We know that we will have our work cut out as Cork are a formidable outfit who have been racking up massive scores on the way to the final," said Tom.

"We played them during the development league and I was very impressed with them, but it’s great to be in the final and it’s a match that we are all really looking forward to."

That John Kerins Cup U20 Football Development League game took place on Saturday, June 1 in the Laois Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise.

It finished 1-18 each after Dublin battled to earn the draw despite the dismissal of two players.

The Rebels opened up a three-point lead going into the last ten minutes at which stage Dublin had been reduced to 13 men but Dublin showed good spirit to finish with points from James Doran and Brian O'Leary (two) to secure a draw.

The curtain-raiser in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday is the All-Ireland U20HC semi-final between Kilkenny and Cork (2.0).

DUBLIN (U20FC v Cork)

1 David O'Hanlon Na Fianna

2 Darren Maher St Patrick's, Donabate

3 Daire Newcombe Lucan Sarsfields

4 Eoin O'Dea Na Fianna

5 Kieran Kennedy Ballyboden St Enda's

6 Neil Matthews Erin's Isle

7 Seán Lambe St Vincent’s

8 Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne Cuala

9 Donal Ryan Na Fianna

10 Niall O'Leary Kilmacud Crokes

11 Karl Lynch Bissett Naomh Mearnóg

12 James Doran Na Fianna

13 Brian O'Leary Na Fianna

14 Ciarán Archer St Maur's

15 Ross McGarry Ballyboden St Enda's

ALL-IRELAND U21/U20FC WINNERS: Roll of Honour

Cork (11 times) 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007, 2009

Kerry (10) 1964, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2008

Dublin (5) 2003, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017

Mayo (5) 1967, 1974, 1983, 2006, 2016

Galway (5) 1972, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013

Tyrone (5) 1991, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2015

Kildare (2) 1965, 2018 (U20)

Roscommon (2) 1966, 1978

Derry (2) 1968, 1997

Donegal (2) 1982, 1987

Antrim (1) 1969

Meath (1) 1993

Down (1) 1979

Offaly (1) 1988

Westmeath (1) 1999

Armagh (1) 2004