Under 21 Championship

we have always produced class hurlers in dublin who would grace any team , the dublin manager would only have a small panel to pick off now this has doubled at least , if we keep up this good work we will be hoping to win a senior all ireland in the next 6 to 8 years

In fairness Dublin have made great strides over the last 7 or 8 years but they really need these underage sides to push on and start winning all ireland's and not just provincial titles so that when these lads get to Senior level that the inferiority complex is gone out of them and they have the confidence to go and beat the best....

It is easy make sweeping statements and say in a few years they won't be stopped but that is a load of c0ck....The fact remains that in 15 years time the big three will still be the big three...As the Galway lads here will tell you they have competed in 13 all ireland minor finals since they last won a senior all ireland winning 7 in that time and 13 under 21 finals winning 5 with some very classy hurlers but it doesn't guarentee success and if anything only raised expectations higher and brings more pressure to perform

Good win for Cork, they were well up for that and had a very good work ethic and no little skill either. Tipp on the otherhand didn't look to interested and were far too casual on the ball at time, John O'Neill was the only one who looked to take the fight to them after Walsh's goal. Their full backline were beaten up a stick all night and Cork could have had two or three more goals. Cork were full value for the win

Coughlan and Lehane look like ones for the future while Brosnan had a very good first half.

Antrim's to lose now.

I see they are taking it seriously, even having a trial this tomorrow.....

Huge game for the Clare 21's on Tuesday night, given our performances at minor level for the last three years compared to limerick, home advantage and the fact that Limerick's three marquee names will only have 48 hours rest means that we should be winning this game but I am still rather apprehensive.

Looks as though Honan will miss out, only able for very light training due to his groin injury and will be a loss. On paper Clare have a strong panel with plenty of depth, illustrated by the fact that 5 under 21's started for the intermediates that won Munster this year yet only one is likely to start v Limerick while 7 more were involved the senior panel this year, with 4 starting v Tipp....They will be plenty mobile and plenty athletic but would have doubts about full back and half forward line and my big worry is that management play lads out of position to fill these spots, rumours have been doing the rounds that Pat O'Connor could well be at full back for Clare and would no doubt do a job there but he is as good as any half back in the country at this age group and it would be a retrograde step in my view, start with one of more natural full backs on the panel and if they can't hold Downes then put O'Connor back there as plan B but don't start him there....Limerick should be quite strong from 8 to 15 but their backs look poor

Clare had an excellent minor side last year and it shows the depth of the current under 21's panel that it looks like at most only three of the team that played in last years final -including current minor captain and future star Tony Kelly- will start on Tuesday

Hopefully they do themselves justice, if Cyril Lyons was to win a Munster title with this lot then it would put him in pole position for the senior job and given the management team's record over the last 4 years I think it would be a just reward, although lose on Tuesday and it would put a big dent in his chances

Wouldn't mind seeing the following side on Tuesday night

Brennan
Nash-Fitzpatrick-Flanagan
Fennessey-O'Connor-O'Halloran
Markham-Chaplin
Kelly-Heagney-Golden
McInerney-McGrath-Kennedy


Although Fitzpatrick, Fennessey, Kelly & Heagney are all far from assured of their spots but I would expect the others named to definately start

Clare team for tomorrow night


1. K brennan ( eire og)
2. D Nash ( scarrif)
3. P O'connor ( tubber)
4. P.Flanagan ( ballyea)
5. K Ryan ( ruan )
6. C Chaplin ( broadford)
7.S O'Hollaran ( clarecastle)
8. L Markham ( cratloe)
9. C Ryan ( cratloe )
10. T Kelly ( ballyea )
11. C Mcinerney ( cratloe)
12. S Golden ( smb)
13.P Collins ( cratloe)
14. F Kennedey ( crusheen)
15.C Mcgrath ( cratloe)


Would have much preferred O'Connor at 6 as opposed to three but what can you do

1. Aaron Murphy Hospital/Herbertstown
2. Cian Hayes Kildimo
3. Patrick Begley Mungret
4. Steve O'Reilly Ballybrown
5. Cathal McNamara Doon
6. James O'Brien Na Piarsaigh
7. Thomas O'Callaghan Monagea
8. Conor Allis Croom
9. Sean O'Brien Patrickswell
10. Declan Hannon Adare
11. Niall Kennedy Granagh/Ballingarry
12. Shane Dowling Na Piarsaigh
13. Michael Ryan Murroe/Boher
14. Kevin Downes - Capt. Na Piarsaigh
15. Graeme Mulcahy Kilmallock

16. Owen Webb-O'Rourke Kilmallock
17. Brian Cleary Knockainey
18. Alan Dempsey Na Piarsaigh
19. Kevin O'Donnell Kilmallock
20. Pat Gleeson Na Piarsaigh
21. Timmy Fleming Feohanagh/Castlemahon
22. Sean Madden Ahane
23. William Griffin Adare
24. Mark Carmody Patrickswell

No Clon lads at all Pukey.. Injuries or what. Isn't Conlan one oy your chaps?.

Boxtyeater wrote:No Clon lads at all Pukey.. Injuries or what. Isn't Conlan one oy your chaps?.

Conlon is overage, Honan is underage and would be playing only for a groin injury he has since April, he might get 15 minutes towards the end if we are struggling, Cillian Fennessey is on the extented panel as well but wouldn't be close to making the team

You'd have to say who ever does win will be underdogs in the final against Cork, who would be favourites to meet Galway in the semi's. Don't know the age profile of that Clare team but I would give them a year or two until the minor team from last year comes through, before they will have a good chance of winning an u21 AI.

Clare beat Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh three years ago at minor level and would have home advantage for a final and it would be nothing more than a 50/50 game if they do meet in the final.

The Puke wrote:Clare beat Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh three years ago at minor level and would have home advantage for a final and it would be nothing more than a 50/50 game if they do meet in the final.

Was that an AI minor quarter final?

clash-of-da-ash wrote:

The Puke wrote:Clare beat Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh three years ago at minor level and would have home advantage for a final and it would be nothing more than a 50/50 game if they do meet in the final.

Was that an AI minor quarter final?

First round in Munster, Clare's reward was to play Tipp in Thurles while Cork regrouped through the backdoor and went onto win Munster while Tipp beat us by 3 or 4 points in the semi's

Well done Limerick if anything ths scoreline flattered Clare, very disappointing performance from a Clare point of view especially from the lads you would expect to stand up and take the game to Limerick. Golden, Ryan, Kennedy McInerney and Markham never really got going and we needed performances from them, we also struggled to get any kind of consistent ball into McGrath

Downes finished with 1-4 but most of these were fairly opportunist scores and Pat O'Connor aquited himself well at full back and hurled pleenty of ball from their, although he will be disappointed with being dispossessed for the second goal. Once that went it is was game over. Hannon was on the periphery of the game for the most part, think he got 2 points.

Thought the decision to take of Golden and replace him with Fennessey in hindsight was a very poor call and really contributed to our downfall, Tony Kelly was hurling very well when he was moved to midfield early on and was getting onto breaks and driving us on, he was moved to wing forward with Killian Ryan going to midfield with Fennessey to wing back and he went out of the game while Conor Allis at midfield and Shane Dowling at wing forward proceeded to dominate the last 20 minutes

Liam Markham was full of endeavour but wasted a lot of ball and hit 2 or 3 three very poor wides while Paul Flanagan had a tough day at the office with Mikey Ryan who has a serious turn of pace. Nash, Chaplin and O'Halloran held their own but never looked like dominating, maybe the bullit should have been bit at half time and O'Connor moved to centre back

Podge Collins worked hard and was livelyt but looked a bit light while Davy O'Halloran took a couple of lovely points but was starved of ball. We had a few goal chances too that we needed to take but they didn't go our way


Defeat isn't the end of the world, Honan was a big loss tonight, once we couldn't get McGrath into the game we were going to struggle, think 9 of the starting team is underage again next year along with a few other options like Keane, Boyce, Davy O'Halloran and the current minor side you would feel that next years side will be a nice bit better

Presume Minogue and Lyons will step aside and let the current minor management take up the reigns for next year and continue the good work they have done at minor for the last three years

Munster final is on tomorrow night in the Gaelic Grounds, can't see anything other than a Cork win going on the two semi finals. The Cork v Tipp match was a couple of notches above the Limerick v Clare. While Limerick have a very mobile midfield and Hannon/Downes down the centre of their attack their backs looked to lack a bit of mobility and I would worry that Cork will cut them open if their half forward line get on top. Mikey Ryan in corner forward for Limerick is one to keep an eye on, lovely touch and lighteningly quick.

I'd say Cork will win on a score of 3-15 to 1-12

The Cork U21 Hurling team to play Limerick in Wednesday night's Munster Final (Limerick, 7.30pm) will line out as follows:

1. Darren McCarthy
Ballymartle

2. Christopher Joyce 3. Damien Cahalane 4. Seamus Corry
Na Piarsaigh St. Finbarrs Ballymartle

5. James Nagle 6. William Egan 7. Mark Ellis
Midleton Kilbrin Millstreet

8. Seamus O'Farrell 9. Daniel Roche
Midleton Sarsfields

10. Dean Brosnan 11. Conor Lehane 12. Aidan Walsh
Glen Rovers Midleton Kanturk

13. Luke O'Farrell 14. Michael O'Sullivan 15. Jamie Coughlan
Midleton Tracton Newtownshandrum

Captain: William Egan

16. Michael O'Neill Bishopstown
17. Brendan Withers Banteer
18. Eddie Finn Ballinhassig
19. Paul Honohan Bishopstown
20. David Drake Carrigaline
21. Maurice Sexton Kilbrittain
22. Seamus Harnedy St. Itas
23. Simon O'Brien Carrigaline
24. Paul Haughney Midleton
25. Brian Collins Killeagh
26. Eoin O'Sullivan Sarsfields


Limerick Team named

1. Aaron Murphy (Hospital/Herbertstown )
2. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh )
3. Patrick Begley (Mungret )
4. Steve O'Reilly (Ballybrown )
5. Cathal McNamara (Doon )
6. Cian Hayes (Kildimo )
7. Thomas O'Callaghan (Monagea )
8. Conor Allis (Croom )
9. Seán O'Brien (Patrickswell )
10. Niall Kennedy (Granagh/Ballingarry )
11. Declan Hannon (Adare )
12. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh )
13. Michael Ryan (Murroe/Boher )
14. Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh ) (Capt. )
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock )

Cork will be doing well to replicate their performance against Tipp. Limerick should improve and could well be worth a shot at 12/5, I expect they will make a right game of it at the very least.

mossbags wrote:Cork will be doing well to replicate their performance against Tipp. Limerick should improve and could well be worth a shot at 12/5, I expect they will make a right game of it at the very least.

Wouldn't touch them at that Moss, only for the ref Cork would have been far more convincing winners over Tipp, their half backline is very strong and they have ball winners in the half forward line which Clare didn't which will give them a platform to get ball inside, Limerick from 8 to 15 are a good side but their backs are fairly poor and there isn't a stand out performer between them

Cork looked impressive against Tipp no question but they will always raise their game against the Premier at any level and I wouldn't be surprised if they find it difficult to reach that level again whereas I'd expect Limerick to come on a ton from the last day. It still might not be enough to trouble Cork but with fellas like Hannon and Downes in their ranks, I'd be willing to take a chance at 12/5 that it is more than enough.

Super game of hurling, yet again the under 21 grade throws up another classic

Amazing game of hurling. Great crowd, two great teams, excellent scores and real excitement! Some of the scores were awesome - even in the 20 mins of extra time. Great credit to both sets of players. Felt sorry for Aidan Walsh who was immense. Thought Cork were going to power on after the first period of ET but Hannon came alive and scored a beautifully worked goal. They say goals win games and no doubt thats what got Limerick over the line tonight.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Amazing game of hurling. Great crowd, two great teams, excellent scores and real excitement! Some of the scores were awesome - even in the 20 mins of extra time. Great credit to both sets of players. Felt sorry for Aidan Walsh who was immense. Thought Cork were going to power on after the first period of ET but Hannon came alive and scored a beautifully worked goal. They say goals win games and no doubt thats what got Limerick over the line tonight.

The goals were the difference no doubt, Cork looked like they would push on and win early in the second half of normal time, nest thing Limerick rattled the net and grew in confidence, same in extra time as well. Cork needed to win that game far more than Limerick for the sake of their senior side but well done Limerick all the same.

What did you think of MotM? My Irish not great but I enjoy picking up the words in the commentary - and he was great in commentary - but Pat Fleury seemed to be saying that Limerick had some stars but they were quiet for periods whereas Walsh was there for the 80 mins. Also when Cork equalised in normal time he said something class in Irish which I could translate - but I forget what it was!! Can you remember?

Jayo Cluxton wrote:What did you think of MotM? My Irish not great but I enjoy picking up the words in the commentary - and he was great in commentary - but Pat Fleury seemed to be saying that Limerick had some stars but they were quiet for periods whereas Walsh was there for the 80 mins. Also when Cork equalised in normal time he said something class in Irish which I could translate - but I forget what it was!! Can you remember?

He looked good, but I would always be weary enough about a lad of his size and physicality standing out at this level. Brian O'Meara looked outstanding for the tipp 21's last year as well but has been found out at senior level alreadt when you are a few inches and a stone or two heavier than your man in a loose game you would be disappointed they didn't stand out. Looks to have a nice bit of hurling about him, 8 points from play be in a munster final or a junior league match is nothing to be scoffed, I suppose if he throws his lot in with the hurlers next year we will know more.

If Walsh had any sense he would stick to football though as he woud go down in Cork history as the greatest hurler they never had if stays with the big ball. Ciaran Sheehan is supposedly seen as a far better hurler than Walsh!

Just thinking about the classic from -was it 2 years ago - Tipp and Clare. Tonight you had Limerick and Cork. Some good underage stuff going on - Waterford no slouches either. Good signs - and the honesty and intent to do nothing but hurl from these lads at 20 years of age and less is something else.

Btw thought the ref was excellent - never noticed him at all - no fuss.