Aiming for three-in-a-row against favourites Tipperary

WILL it be a first Munster minor three in-a-row for Clare or will Tipperary be celebrating a first ever Munster minor double on Sunday?
That’s the question GAA fans across the province are asking as Clare and Tipperary complete preparations for Sunday’s Munster minor hurling final at Páirc Uí Caoimh, which throws in at 2pm.
Being one step away from retaining the title is something few Clare fans would have predicted at the beginning of the campaign. Winners of the crown for the past two years, they started preparations for this year’s championship with only a handful of the outgoing panel.
They began the campaign with a defeat to their final opponents of last year. Extra time was required before Waterford beat them at Cusack Park. They bounced back quickly, as was the case two years ago, and a good victory over Cork showed this group meant business.
Against Limerick in the semi-final last week, they saw a six-point lead slip away in the final minute and the Shannonsiders struck for a brace of goals. In extra time, the Clare boys held their nerve and emerged winners, 1-19 to 2-14.
The team for Sunday’s decider won’t be finalised until Friday evening but it will be a surprise if there is any change from the side that took to the field in the semi-final.
Eibhear Quilligan (goalkeeper), Jamie Shanahan and Shane O’Donnell are key members from last year, who will be hoping to lead the way for Clare this week. Conor Cleary was one of the stars of the minor football campaign, which saw Clare pipped at the post in the semi-final by Kerry, who went out to Tipperary in last week’s final.
Three members of that starting line-up are expected to play from the start this week in Cork. They are Dylan Fitzelle, Bill Maher and Stephen O’Brien. Jack Loughnane, Jack Shelly and John McGrath were introduced in the football final on Sunday and they are expected to play this week as is Tom Kirwan, who played at corner-forward for the footballers.
Eibhear Quilligan from Feakle is an experienced goalkeeper and is fronted by a sextet who have done very well to date. Shane O’Brien from Clonlara captains the side from corner-back and the line is completed by Brian Carey (Sixmilebridge) and Gearóid Ryan from Clarecastle.
Centre-back Conor Cleary, who hails from the Miltown club but plays his hurling with Kilmaley, will be flanked by Aidan McGuane (Kilmaley) and Eoin Quirke from (Whitegate).
David Conroy (Doora-Barefield) and Alex Morey (Sixmilebridge) are expected to continue their midfield partnership.
Shane Taylor (Broadford), Niall Deasy (Ballyea) and Shanahan are expected to make up the half-forward line with the inside line including Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg) and Conor Deasy (Sixmilebridge).
It’s hard to know how much should be read into the result from the challenge game between the sides back in March. Tipperary had 18 points to spare and won comfortably. It was very early in the season and a lot of work has gone into preparations since. Still, they are the favourites to win the title.
Clare were underdogs in the last two finals and emerged with the prize. They will be hoping to do the same on Sunday.