Shairoze Akram is believed to be the first GAA player born in Pakistan to win an All-Ireland medal after he helped Mayo to victory over Cork in last night's U21 football final.

The Ballaghaderreen clubman starred at wing back as Mayo finished with a flourish in Ennis to claim their first Clarke Cup in a decade. Akram, who has attended AFL trials in the recent past, won an All-Ireland Freshers medal with DCU just a couple of months ago. 

When asked by RTE's Darragh Maloney if he was the first Pakistani-born player to win an All-Ireland, he replied in his strong Mayo brogue: "I don't know about that, but I'll take it."

It was a special night also for Akram's team-mate Stephen Coen who became the first player to captain All-Ireland minor and U21 winning teams since the late Cormac McAnallen skippered Tyrone in 1998 (minor) and 2000/01 (U21). 

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