The 1979 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship was the 16th staging of the All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1964.
Roscommon entered the championship as defending champions, however, they were defeated in the Connacht Championship.
On 23 September 1979, Down won the championship following a 1-9 to 0-7 defeat of Cork in the All-Ireland final. This was their first All-Ireland title.
The final was refereed by Gerry Mc Cabe from Clonoe in Co Tyrone
Results Connacht Under-21 Football Championship
Leinster Under-21 Football Championship
GK1 Noel Fitzpatrick (Bracknagh)RCB2 Michael Darby (Rhode)FB3 Ernie McGuire (Tullamore)LCB4 Joe Slevin (Na Piarsaigh)RHB5 Larry Lynam (Tullamore)CHB6 Christy McGlynn (Edenderry)LHB7 Mick Lowry (Ferbane)MF8 Johnny Mooney (Rhode)MF9 Gerry Carroll (Edenderry)RHF10 Liam Currams (Na Piarsaigh)CHF11 Vincent Henry (Clara)LHF12 Ollie Scally (Ballycommon)RCF13 Brendan Lowry (Ferbane) (c)FF14 Matt Connor (Walsh Island)LCF15 Danny Owens (Na Piarsaigh)Substitutes: 16 Pat Maher (Ferbane) for McGuire 17 Niall O'Dea (Tullamore) for Slevin GK1 Michael Ward (Mattock Rangers)RCB2 Paul Matthews (Newtown Blues)FB3 Brendan Byrne (St Mochta's)LCB4 Ray Faulkner (Newtown Blues)RHB5 Gary O'Callaghan (Clan na Gael)CHB6 Aidan Wiseman (Clan na Gael)LHB7 Noel Cluskey (Seán McDermott's)MF8 Jim Lynch (Kilkerley Emmets)MF9 Frank Short (Naomh Malachi)RHF10 Jimmy McDonnell (Geraldines)CHF11 Eugene Judge (Newtown Blues)LHF12 Seán Reid (Mattock Rangers)RCF13 Kevin Carroll (Seán McDermott's)FF14 Paul Reneghan (Geraldines)LCF15 Pat Lennon (Kilkerley Emmets) (c)Substitutes: 16 Jim Tenanty (St Mary's) for Faulkner 17 Paddy Matthews (Oliver Plunketts) for Cluskey 18 Seán McGahon (Seán McDermott's) for Lynch
Munster Under-21 Football Championship
Ulster Under-21 Football Championship
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
Semi-finals
Final
Statistics Miscellaneous
The All-Ireland semi-final between Cork and Offaly is the first ever championship meeting between the two teams. The All-Ireland final between Cork and Down is the first ever championship meeting between the two teams.
References