Full house likely for U-21 final

The demand for tickets for next Wednesday’s Munster U-21 hurling final is such that the full house signs are expected to be on display ahead of the throw-in at Cusack Park (7.15pm).

Such interest in the fixture indicates an expectation that this will be a cracking tie that should see little between the sides when John Sexton sounds the final whistle.
Neither management has named their team for the game at this stage but both are expected to be along the same lines as the semi-final line-ups.
This will be Clare’s 15th final appearance since the competition was introduced in 1964 and their only title win came in 2009 when they beat Waterford in Dungarvan on the way to All-Ireland glory.
Current captain Conor McGrath, along with half back Patrick O’Connor, were both introduced as substitutes in that final.
With the exception of Daire Keane, who has been out for a number of weeks because of a broken bone in his foot, an injury suffered in training with the county senior squad, the Banner side expect to have a full squad available for selection.
“We have a few niggly ­injuries picked up in training but, between now and the game, we are going to have knocks and scrapes and if we don’t then we are not training properly,” joint team manager Donal Moloney said.
“We hope to stay in this competition long enough to get Daire Keane back in action,” he added, clearly indicating their determination to win on Wednesday and progress to the All-Ireland series.
Incidentally, the winners of Wednesday’s provincial title will go through to play Ulster champions Antrim in an All-Ireland semi-final on August 25. The All-Ireland final is set for September 15.
Whatever one’s views as to the outcome, there is little between the sides. In Paul Ryan, Tipperary have a good goalkeeper who also filled this position last year.
Andrew Ryan (full-back), Willie Ryan (centre-back) and Brian Stapleton (wing-back) are expected to play key roles in their defence while up front team captain John O’Dwyer, Sean Curran, the only member of their senior panel, and Denis Maher are key forwards.
David Collins, who played against Cork in the opening round and Ruairí Gleeson, who hasn’t featured this season, are both ruled out due to injury.
The Premier County last won this title two years ago when they defeated Clare in Thurles. They lost to Cork in the semi-final last year.
It is expected the Clare defence will include Patrick O’Connor, Seadna Morey and David McInerney. Colm Galvin and Shane Golden are expected to continue their midfield partnership while up front Clare will look to McGrath, Cathal O’Connell, Davy O’Halloran, Aaron Cunningham, Paudge Collins and Tony Kelly to pose problems for the visitors’ defence.
That Clare won’t get the same space or be allowed the freedom of movement that was evident in their semi-final game against Waterford is certain. Tipperary, who have won both their games to date at the away teams’ venue, have shown in both matches that they have a very tight marking defence and how they cope with the Clare forwards could be key to the outcome of this game.
It’s a difficult one to call. Having been given little chance of victory in either of their games so far seems to have been a major driving force for the Premier outfit. There is no doubt they will be well fired up again for this one. A majority of their players are in their final year in this age group and this could prove decisive on the evening.