Under 21 Championship

Jayo Cluxton wrote: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.

The Galway v Cork under 21 match from 2007 and the Clare v Galway 21's in 2009 are two of the finest games of hurling you will ever see. teams just playing fast positive hurling no cynicism

And in fairness saw very little cynicism there tonight. Thank God for TG4 - you'd never see these classics otherwise ... and Bord Gais on a winner too.

You heard it here first___Dublin are going to win this All-Ireland

The Puke wrote:Super game of hurling, yet again the under 21 grade throws up another classic

100%, watched this in the pub, everyone glued to it from the 50th minute on.
Great game, turns out mself and Puke were both right calling this one, albeit me moreso.

Rest of ye stick to the fuSball/rugby if ye like, check in to the Iománaíocht forum for the GAA

The 21's championship in Munster has been wide open for a few years now, Limerick are the 4th team in 5 years to win the title while Waterford the only side not to win it in that time have contested two finals. Given that Limerick, Clare and Waterford all have been more than competitive at minor in 2009/2010/2011 this should continue for a few more years, the majority of Limerick, Clare and Waterford's better lads are underage again next year and some the year after means that we should have some more cracking games in the next few years.

Long may it continue, when you consider that Tipp and Cork won 31 of the 36 under 21 championships between them from from it's inception up til the three in a row Limerick team of 2000-2002 it is good to see. I also think this is the longest period in the history of the Munster minor hurling championship that Tipp/Cork haven't won the competition (three years)

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

Yeah good call by Puke alright ....

Cork win does not = Limerick win. Yet again Puke's 'knowledgeable' ramblings found wanting. If ye want to know about hurling listen to Jayo - multi GAA Hurling Tipster Champion.

Some great highlights here. Great piece of commentary with Aidan Walsh's equalising point (around 7.40) - "ah ........ ná bí ag caint!" - class!

Think its great limerick hurling is back on the up, looked like it was doomed for a while even with the team getting to a final they never looked anywhere near the limericks of the past, lets hope this team convert to senior unlike the three in a row team, who came through but never seemed to have the same effect at senior level, probably a catalogue of reasons.

As for JC and his tipster championship rant, think i spanked you in the league tipster and due to recessional reasons could not compete come championship!

North Side Gael wrote:As for JC and his tipster championship rant, think i spanked you in the league tipster and due to recessional reasons could not compete come championship!

Thats twice you have accused me of ranting today!! So stating facts is a rant? I'll give ya a rant ya big lanky hurling loving unfit Saffron wearing bullroot ....

Jayo Cluxton wrote:

North Side Gael wrote:As for JC and his tipster championship rant, think i spanked you in the league tipster and due to recessional reasons could not compete come championship!

Thats twice you have accused me of ranting today!! So stating facts is a rant? I'll give ya a rant ya big lanky hurling loving unfit Saffron wearing bullroot ....

Old age is having its effect on you eh, either that or two much dutch gold last night! lol

I take exception to the unfit bit though low blow man low blow! lol

Jayo Cluxton wrote:And in fairness saw very little cynicism there tonight. Thank God for TG4 - you'd never see these classics otherwise ... and Bord Gais on a winner too.

177,000 watched this game on TG4. By showing games like this live they are doing more for Hurling than 100 half baked development plans from those spoofers in Croke Park.

Of all the pretenders it looks like Limerick are positioning themselves nicely and might be best equipped to take on the big two a couple of years down the line. Who would have predicted that this time last year? They wouldn't want to lose the run of themselves too much though as Galway have a decent panel this year and certainly have the hurlers to catch them on the hop. I'd imagine that game will be in that sh!thole in Ennis, probably midweek as well. The novelty of this regular high level hurling on Wednesday or Thursday nights certainly does add to the buzz and the atmosphere for the U-21. Hopefully Galway U-21s will be accomodated in Leinster fairly soon as they need to be involved from earlier than the All-Ireland Semi Final stage. It's not really fair on anyone the way it stands right now.

A/I semi's are down for Saturday the 20th

The Puke wrote:A/I semi's are down for Saturday the 20th

Venues?

mossbags wrote:

Jayo Cluxton wrote:And in fairness saw very little cynicism there tonight. Thank God for TG4 - you'd never see these classics otherwise ... and Bord Gais on a winner too.

177,000 watched this game on TG4. By showing games like this live they are doing more for Hurling than 100 half baked development plans from those spoofers in Croke Park.

Of all the pretenders it looks like Limerick are positioning themselves nicely and might be best equipped to take on the big two a couple of years down the line. Who would have predicted that this time last year? They wouldn't want to lose the run of themselves too much though as Galway have a decent panel this year and certainly have the hurlers to catch them on the hop. I'd imagine that game will be in that sh!thole in Ennis, probably midweek as well. The novelty of this regular high level hurling on Wednesday or Thursday nights certainly does add to the buzz and the atmosphere for the U-21. Hopefully Galway U-21s will be accomodated in Leinster fairly soon as they need to be involved from earlier than the All-Ireland Semi Final stage. It's not really fair on anyone the way it stands right now.

Here here, TG4 does more for promotion of gaelic games than anyone, or any organisation, yet they get thrown the games, apparently no one else wants, about time they got a crack at senior championship coverage, or handed the likes of the christy ring final as well, they do a great job and can promote the games very well, i dont believe the club championship at all ireland would be as big a spectacle as it is today without them.

The 2 semi finals are down for decision this weekend, the dubs will beat antrim at a canter but the other game will be interesting. Galway were minor champions in 2008 & 2009 and should have a strong side on paper with the likes of Cooney, Badger, Glennon, Bourke, Cummins, Daly, Coen and Regan in the side while Limerick will come into it with great confidence after their munster final win. Kevin Downes is a major doubt, fractured a bone in his hand in the game v Cork and foolishly enough played a club game a week later and did more damage although he still might play a part. Should be a decent game

Might head up to Newry on Saturday. Bluearmy - can you get me a Corporate ticket?

Was at semis last year in Tullamore. Antrim were destroyed by Tipp - I think they scored one point in the first half and lost by nearly 30. I remember Patrique or NSG - think it was NSG - predicting it before the game because of problems within the camp. Are those problems still there - either way I expect the Dubs to prevail.

In the second game Dublin never got going -there were some dreadful showers during the game too as I recall - but Galway won handy without playing well. Very hard to call this one but having seen Cork v Limerick the Treaty will take a bit of beating

Dublin make two changes

Sean McGrath and Eamonn Dillon have been drafted into the Dublin team for tomorrow's Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U21HC semi-final against Antrim in Newry.

The pair have been rewarded for impressive substitute appearances against Wexford in the Leinster final with starts on the left flank of the attack. The players to make way are Robbie Mahon and Thomas Connolly.

Dublin (U21HC v Antrim): Ger McManus; Bill O'Carroll, Darren Kelly, Jack Doughan; Dean Curran, Liam Rushe, Martin Quilty; Conor Gough, Danny Sutcliffe; Daire Plunkett, Mark Schutte, Seán McGrath; Kevin O'Loughlin, Niall McMorrow, Eamon Dillon.

Subs: Damien Gallagher, Fionán Clabby, Thomas Connolly, Stephen O'Connor, Conor Murphy, Odhran Ó Maoiléidigh, Robbie Mahon, Ben Quinn, Kevin Fitzgerald.

Player to watch for Eamon Dillon,this lad will be on the starting 15 for the Dublin seniors next year..

Great win for the Dublin U21 team today didn't get to see it/but great to have 2 teams in a shoot out with the Galway underage kingpins in the finals...

We'll give it a lash anyway

Aye well done lads .... Galway to win both in a canter though ....

Puke no munster team in the underage finals,must be a shock down south

Heard JBM got the Cork job any truth in that down your way

mullins wrote:Puke no munster team in the underage finals,must be a shock down south

Heard JBM got the Cork job any truth in that down your way

No real shock at all, Limerick played very well against Cork but don't think anyone outside of Limerick would have rated them as highly as the Tipp 2008 & 2010 or the Clare 2009 team. They had a game set of backs but lacks decent defenders. If you recall - I think it was the Dublin GT thread- I said that Galway were the team to beat 21's level this year and I had a small wager yesterday on them at 6/5. They should have won the minor championship 3 years ago only for a terrible keeper and won it 2 years ago and they have been doing savage training for this and you can be guarenteed that last years final defeat and all that went before it is a huge motivating factor for them

The Puke wrote:

mullins wrote:Puke no munster team in the underage finals,must be a shock down south

Heard JBM got the Cork job any truth in that down your way

No real shock at all, Limerick played very well against Cork but don't think anyone outside of Limerick would have rated them as highly as the Tipp 2008 & 2010 or the Clare 2009 team. They had a game set of backs but lacks decent defenders. If you recall - I think it was the Dublin GT thread- I said that Galway were the team to beat 21's level this year and I had a small wager yesterday on them at 6/5. They should have won the minor championship 3 years ago only for a terrible keeper and won it 2 years ago and they have been doing savage training for this and you can be guarenteed that last years final defeat and all that went before it is a huge motivating factor for them

Galway look like they have come through the strongest side of the draw.Hard to see the Dubs beating them but still its nice to be involved......

mullins wrote:
Galway look like they have come through the strongest side of the draw.Hard to see the Dubs beating them but still its nice to be involved......

We won a game and now we're in the Final, wouldn't put it as having come through the strongest side of the draw myself.
Galway will win this not because of anything to do with the draw or with Dublin for that matter but they will win it because of what happened last year.

mossbags wrote:

mullins wrote:
Galway look like they have come through the strongest side of the draw.Hard to see the Dubs beating them but still its nice to be involved......

We won a game and now we're in the Final, wouldn't put it as having come through the strongest side of the draw myself.
Galway will win this not because of anything to do with the draw or with Dublin for that matter but they will win it because of what happened last year.

Should make for a good final anyway,wouldn't write Dublin off just yet

From this weeks Limerick leader

‘It was my decision,’ says Under-21 manager Leo O’Connor after failed goal effort in dying minutes of the All Ireland semi-final
LIMERICK Under-21 hurling manager Leo O’Connor has clarified that it was his decision to try for a goal from a 30-metre free during the opening minute of injury time in last Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final.
With Limerick chasing a late fightback in Semple Stadium, Shane Dowling tried for a goal from 30-metres, when perhaps a point could have set the stage for a grandstand finish in Thurles.
In the immediate aftermatch of the two-point defeat to Galway, O’Connor told members of the media: “We let players make up their own mind”.
However, O’Connor’s comments angered members of Dowling’s Na Piarsaigh club, who claimed that the teenage free taker tried for a goal on instruction from management.
This Tuesday a club official from Na Piarsaigh GAA club was prepared to speak to the Limerick Leader and express their disappointment in defence of their player.
LeaderSport then offered an opportunity to Limerick U-21 manager Leo O’Connor to clarify his comments on the events surrounding the injury time free.
Later that evening solicitor John Herbert issued a statement to the Leader on behalf of Leo O’Connor.
“It was my call, I stand over it, Shane Dowling followed my instruction, I cannot be any more clear on the matter,” read the final line of the statement, issued on behalf of O’Connor.
It began: “Due to some unpleasantness that has arisen I want to put on the record in the clearest possible terms the following, during the U-21 All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Limerick and Galway on Saturday evening August 20 Limerick were awarded a free some 30-25 yards from the Galway goal. This occurred 45 seconds into injury time. The referee ordered the free be brought forward a further 10 yards following dissension from the Galway players. The free was now 25 yards from the Galway goal”.
“Initially we [the U-21 management team] instructed Shane Dowling (the free taker) to take a point. I then asked the linesman what time was left in the game. I was told there will be one more puck out. On hearing this I issued new instructions to Shane which were to go for a goal,” outlined the statement from Herbert & Co solicitors.