Tag Archives: minor hurling

All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final Kilkenny v Clare at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, Sunday 1pm (Colum Cunning, Antrim) It’s not the first clash of Clare and Kilkenny’s minor sides this year but Brian O’Connell’s side will be hoping to get the same impact as their initial meeting and advance to back-to-back All-Ireland Minor Hurling Finals for the first time in the county’s history. As noted before the Munster decider a month ago, Clare’s pre-championship warm-ups against Leinster duo Galway and Kilkenny provided the confidence and belief for a relatively rookie squad to hit the ground running in Munster, a momentum-fuelled run that saw them overcome all four rivals before being overtaken coming down the final straight against Tipperary in the final. Standing up to the roll of honour leaders Kilkenny and defending provincial champions Galway was an acid test but Clare’s litmus paper will be required once more on Sunday if they are to double the dose on the newly …

With an average of eight championship matches over the past three years, the equivalent of a whole decade of previous outings from 2012-2021, Clare’s minor hurling evolution if not revolution has been an unprecedented success regardless of whether silverware was garnered or not. Of course, last year’s historic Munster and All-Ireland triumph and its manner was understandably heralded as one of the counties greatest ever achievements but with the emphasis on development just as much as success, Clare’s seventh championship outing against Kilkenny on Sunday has been a validation in itself that the county’s underage system is motoring nicely. “To get seven championship games is just brilliant and added into the last two years in which we got nine (2022) and eight (2023) matches, it’s just fantastic for the players’ development and getting exposed to big games.” Admitted Clare Coach Damian O’Halloran ahead of Sunday’s return to Semple Stadium. “Every day you go out as a player or in management, …

Eoghan Gunning has been named Electric Ireland Minor Hurler of the Year with six Clare hurlers named in the Minor Hurling Team of the Year. Clare produced a memorable run to lift the Irish Press Cup as they became the first side from the county to win both the provincial and All Ireland titles in the same season. Gunning and James Hegarty have been named on the Team of the Year once more after receiving the same honour in 2022 when Clare progressed through to the All Ireland semi final stage. A cornerstone of Clare’s run to glory has been their defensive solidity. Four of the Banner rearguard have been named in the team. Eoghan Gunning, Ronan Keane, Matthew O’Halloran and James Hegarty all received the nod. Michael Collins and Marc O’Brien have been included in the team off the back of their consistent displays this season. Gunning was named Hurler of the Year after a string of top quality …

Clare 0-17 Cork 0-12 A scorching finish washed away any previous misgivings as Clare soared into the final three of the Munster Minor Hurling Championship in front of 1.491 in O’Garney Park Sixmilebridge on Tuesday evening. Being their final group outing, Clare craved a victory to keep their fate in their own hands and they duly responded with a commanding display that arguably should have been much more comfortable than the final scoreline indicates. Allied to their 17 points were 16 wides that highlighted just how dominant the home side were against a Cork side that were flawless up to Tuesday’s tie but were surprisingly lacklustre without their top-scorer Barry Walsh. For long periods, it did seem as if Clare’s profligacy would come back to haunt them as a crossfield breeze proved tricky for two freetakers to master. In contrast, Cork’s Johnny Murphy arrowed over three early frees that meant they matched their hosts for the opening quarter. A brace …

All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Galway 0-25 Clare 0-9 CLARE fell to a disappointing defeat in their opening round robin game of the All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship. Despite facing a Galway side who were playing their first Championship encounter of 2022, Brian O’Connell’s men shipped the opening eight points of the game, something which they never truly recovered from, writes Ivan Smyth. In the end Clare shot nine points and 15 wides on a disappointing day where little of anything went right for the Munster runners up. Their agonising Munster final defeat may have led to a hangover of sorts but they will need to improve if they are to keep their Championship dreams alive for this year. Their final round robin game against Laois is in two weeks time A win is needed to help secure an All Ireland semi final spot with the side’s confidence sure to have taken a hit after this bitterly disappointing display. With Joe …