2017 has been a pretty remarkable year for Cork hurling so far.
Their under-17's became Munster champions at the end of April. Their Minor side got through a dramatic replay against Tipperary to reach the Munster final, where they demolished Clare. The senior side, of course, was victorious against the Banner to reach the All-Ireland semi final.
Last night, it was the turn of the Under-21's. They were in a Munster semi final against Waterford in Walsh Park last night.
Senior stars Mark Coleman, Shane Kingston, Darragh Fitzgibbon all featured, but Luke Meade missed out after suffering a broken finger. Declan Dalton is a goalkeeper-gone-midfielder. He was the star and the hero for the Rebels, finishing with 1-12.
The match was full of late drama.
Cork were two points down in the fourth of five minutes of injury time when Fitzgibbon was sent off for striking Waterford keeper Billy Nolan. From the subsequent free, they won possession and a penalty as the clock ticked past 65:00.
Up stepped Dalton to slam the penalty into the net with the final puck of the game.
Understandably, Cork boss John Meyler was very emotional in the post match interview with TG4:
I need about ten paracetamol after that I'd say. That was some goal by Dalton, fair dues to him.
It wasn't gone, I was annoyed, we had a chance. Jack O'Connor had a chance. We needed a goal.
It's probably robbery on Waterford. We didn't play well because we hadn't been together but at the same time there's great heart.
(Fitzgibbon) will be a loss for the final but we've other fellas to come in and replace them. Please God Luke Meade will be back, I think it's a week or ten days.
What you saw out there was the heart and commitment and the fire the last week.
You can see the full interview below, with Meyler almost in tears.
John Meyler, Cork bainisteoir, gets very emotional after his sides injury time victory over Waterford in the Munster under 21 hurling SF. pic.twitter.com/qI7V4Mta43
— GAA BEO TG4 (@GAA_BEO) July 14, 2017
The Rebels haven't been beaten in 11 matches in all age groups of the Munster Championship. They've nabbed three of the four available trophies. Their Intermediate side face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final on 5th of August.
The Rebel Óg system is proving extremely worthwhile.
The Under 21's now advance to take on Limerick in the Munster final on Wednesday week.
