Tag Archives: u-21 final

Limerick 0-22 Clare 0-19 A contribution of 0-13 from Ronan Lynch paved the way for Limerick’s merited three point win over title holders, Clare in the Munster under 21 hurling championship final, played before an attendance of 14,311 at Cusack Park onThursday evening. [doptg id=”77″] There were periods in the first half when Clare looked like they might make history and win the title for the fourth year in a row, but the visitors had the better of the second half exchanges and deservingly won a place in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway on August 22. Both teams had their periods of dominance in the opening half, at the end of which Clare held a two point advantage, 0-12 to 0-10. The Shannonsiders registered the first two scores but four in a row for the home side had them 0-4 to 0-2 in front after just seven minutes. Limerick had the better of matters for the next 15 minutes, hitting …

THE U-21 hurlers and management team are an ambitious bunch, according to joint team manager Gerry O’Connor. “We are very ambitious and we set ourselves ambitious goals at the start of the season. Number one was to win the first game in the Munster championship, get to the final and win that, get to an All-Ireland final and try and win that. That’s why we are here on a Sunday evening, getting everybody back in to assess their injuries and get a recovery programme in place. The management team met over the weekend to plan how to put a performance together that will beat Wexford,” he said at last week’s press evening. Clare have analysed the Wexford and Galway semi-final to death, O’Connor points out. “We have also watched the Dublin v Wexford U-21 Leinster final. Wexford have strengths and weaknesses. They have two very obvious strengths, they have conceded very little goals and the one against Galway was the …

A class act on and off the field, the moment that Clare U-21 captain Tony Kelly will wring most enjoyment from on Saturday is the journey from the dressing room to the turf of Semple Stadium. If Clare win the 51st final at this grade, Kelly will become the 47th captain to lead his county to glory. The 2013 hurler of the year has been central to some of Clare’s greatest moments at senior, U-21 and minor but it’s those tension-laden steps before entering the cauldron that the Ballyea hurler lives for. “For a player, it’s coming out, down the tunnel. You know the county is behind you and they’re willing you on to win. As a player that’s maybe the best part of the day. If you can then deliver a performance and go on and win it, all the better,” he reflected. All-Ireland final evening incorporates parades and pre-match pageantry, which adds to the atmosphere, but can drag …

Talk of making history by wining a third successive Munster U-21 hurling title this Wednesday evening at Cusack Park doesn’t interest Donal Moloney, Clare’s joint manager. “We are not interested in history. This is a new team, the last 3 teams have been distinct teams, there have been common players but this is a new group of guys. It’s a different team which has to find its own spirit and its own life. This is their Munster final to win, it’s not a team together for 3 years”, the Scariff native said after seeing the team defeat Tipperary in a cracking semi-final that required extra time “We respect the fact that Cork are in the final. We expect a massive battle and we look forward to it”, Moloney went on. “Cork on a high after their Munster senior final win, Pat Kenneally is in charge of them and we know from playing them early in the year that they are …

By Seamus Hayes All-Ireland hat trick hero from last September, Shane O’Donnell, has been named at full forward in the under 21 hurling team for this Wednesday’s final against Cork at Cusack Park (throw in 7.15p.m.) Having missed most of the senior championship season due to a hamstring injury, the Eire Og man was introduced for the closing stages of the semi-final win over Tipperary. His return to fitness is a major boost for the side ahead of their clash with Cork. Clare are the defending champions and are chasing a third title win in as many seasons. O’Donnell’s selection is one of two changes to the team that started in the semi-final. Eoin Enright is named as midfield partner to Colm Galvin with Tony Kelly moving to centre forward. The playes who make way for O’Donnell and Enright are Alan O’Neill and Shane McGrath. A final decision on the fitness of Cathal O’Connell will be made nearer match time. …

By Seamus Hayes Holders Sixmilebridge will face Ballyea in the final of the Clare under 21 A hurling championship after they won their respective semi-finals on Friday evening. This is the final pairing that many had predicted when the draw was made. In a repeat of last year’s final, the Bridge overcame Clonlara on  a 0-16 to 0-12 scoreline at Clarecastle. Clonlara were dealt a massive blow with both their inter county senior players, Colm Galvin and Cathal ‘Tots’ O’Connell, were ruled out due to injury. O’Connell did make an appearance for the final five minutes but it was too late to prevent the holders from progressing.   Sixmilebridge were without the injured Jamie Shanahan but they did have Seadna Morey who lined out at centre back Alex Morey hit nine points for the winners whikle Alan Mulready contributed five on an evening when the holders were  0-8 to 0-7 in front at half time. Meanwhile, Ballyea justified favouritism when scoring a …