Earlier this week, Cavan beat Donegal to secure their third successive Ulster Championship at U21 level.

For this potential golden generation, All Ireland glory has yet to follow, although they reached the final in 2011.

But looking beyond that, does underage dominance at U21 level translate to senior glory?

Tyrone (2000-2003)

Tyrone dominated the U21 scene, provincially and nationally, winning the All Ireland titles in 2000 and 2001.

Those teams produced the likes of Owen Mulligan and Stephen O’Neill who would be key part of a golden period for Tyrone in the 2000s which yielded three All Ireland titles.

The one tinge of regret for this generation was the tragic and untimely passing of Cormac McAnallen. 

Westmeath (1999 – 2000)

The midlands county’s sole senior Leinster title victory owes much to the U21 side which won an All Ireland in 1999 and Leinster titles in 1999 and 2000.

Kerry (1995 – 1998)

The Kingdom may be going through difficulties when it comes to blooding a new generation. But back in the late 90s, their U21 team was the dominant force in Ireland, winning three All Ireland titles in four years between 1995 and 1998 and also claiming five Munster titles.

This generation did thrive at senior level with Darragh O’Se, Dara O’Cinneide, Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Mike Frank Russell among U21 champions who got their hands on Sam Maguire multiple times over the next decade.

Tyrone (1990 – 1992)

Tyrone’s greatest player Peter Canavan was the star turn of a talented generation of U21s that claimed All-Ireland glory in 1991 and 1992, as well as three consecutive Ulster titles.

Many of those players were involved in the 1995 Ulster title victory and also reached that year’s All Ireland decider, while Canavan and Chris Lawn would go on to win senior All Ireland winners’ medals in 2003 and 2005.

Cork (1980 – 1986)

The 1980s was a hugely successful period for U21 football in the Rebel county as Cork won six All Ireland and Munster titles during that decade.

With that in mind, it is no surprise  to see that Cork won Sam Maguire in 1989 and 1990.

Kerry (1972 – 1978)

The Kerry senior team enjoyed great success in the 1970s but so did the Kingdom’s U21s who claimed four All Irelands and six Munster titles during that decade.

That generation was then able to build on the success of their immediate forefathers almost immediately by winning five All Ireland’s in the 1980s.

© INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan