Favourites’ tag weighs heavily on Clare

CLARE’S powerful Munster final performance, when they outplayed a fancied Tipperary side, means they are hot favourites to progress to the All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship final. Beating Galway at Semple Stadium in Thurles this Saturday evening in the semi-final is all that remains to be done to get there.

The Munster victory, in addition to the superb seniors’ display in Croke Park last week, has further convinced patrons the Banner side will not alone win on Saturday but go on to make history by retaining the title next month.

While Clare have carried the favourites’ tag in the past, being rated as such a strong possibility is something new for the team and has given the backroom team an additional consideration to deal with as they complete their preparations.

The famed Tipperary venue will host both semi-finals on Saturday, with the meeting of Wexford and Antrim going ahead at 4pm, followed by the Clare v Galway clash. Given the excitement created when these counties met in the 2011 All-Ireland minor semi-final, there is much anticipation for Saturday’s clash.

Clare will not name their starting line-up until after training this Thursday but it’s likely to be along the lines as that which started in the Munster final against Tipperary.

On that occasion the defence was particularly impressive and it will be a surprise if there is any change.

Goalkeeper Ronan Taaffe will be fronted by David McInerney, man of the match in the provincial decider, and again in last Sunday’s senior semi-final win over Limerick. McInerney’s flankers in the full-back line will be Ballyea clubmen Paul Flanagan, who captains the Clare side, and Jack Browne.

Seadna Morey, Alan O’Neill and Stephen O’Halloran make up the half-back line, with senior duo Colm Galvin and Tony Kelly expected to continue their very successful partnership at midfield.

If there is to be a change in personnel to the starting team, it’s likely to be in attack. Cathal Malone and Jamie Shanahan have made telling contributions when introduced in both their Munster games. Daire Keane is pressing hard for a recall, while Jarlath Colleran is reported to be very much in contention for a call-up.

Peter Huban will captain the Tribesmen’s side, which will include county seniors Conor Cooney and Jonathon Glynn, both of whom saw action against Clare in the senior quarter-final.

Certain to see action at some stage are Paul Killeen, Pádraig Brehony, Jason Flynn, Sean Malone, Jack Carr and Darragh Burke.

Galway last won this title in 2011 and, in all, have nine titles to their credit, seven more than Clare, whose first success was 2009, while they retained the crown last year.

It’s a championship that certainly has produced some outstanding hurling over the years. Such has been the hurling produced by Clare at both U-21 and senior levels this summer that anything other than a Banner win on Saturday will come as a major shock.

By 7.30pm or so on Saturday evening, the way should be clear for a Clare v Wexford or Antrim All-Ireland final on September 14.

Diarmuid Kirwan from Cork will referee the match and, in the event of a draw, extra time will be played. Both semi-finals will be live on TG4.

There will be added interest for Ger Cunningham from Bord Gais Energy in this Saturday’s semi-final. The former Cork All-Ireland winning goalkeeper will be keeping an extra close eye on the Clare performance. Ger is currently a key member of Jimmy Barry Murphy’s senior Cork management team, who are preparing for their All-Ireland senior final clash with Clare in two weeks time.