Tag Archives: U-21 hurling

Waterford   3-23 Clare   1-11 While the writing was on the wall at half-time when Clare led by just two points, after playing with the aid of a strong wind, few would have predicted the margin of victory in Wednesday’s Munster U-21 Hurling Championship semi-final. Played before an attendance of 4,126 at a sunny Walsh Park, a blistering start to the second half saw Waterford score 2-6 in eight minutes without reply. Heading into this game, Waterford fans were concerned how their side would perform just three days after the senior team suffered a heavy defeat to Tipperary in the Munster final but they went away happy that the future of the Déise’s hurling looks solid. The senior panellists were superb, none more so than the full-forward trio of Patrick Curran and the Bennett brothers, Shane and Stephen. On the other hand, Clare’s senior panellists failed to impress, which must be a concern ahead of next week’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Galway. …

Clare 0-23   Waterford 1-18 WHAT an evening it was in Cusack Park on Wednesday. The Clare U-21s lifted the spirits of the entire county with a display of epic bravery, skill and pure passion, in front of a crowd of 6,639 people. Incredibly, they have qualified for the county’s fourth successive final at this level. Inspired by the peerless Bobby Duggan and the equally superb Ian Galvin, Clare stunned Waterford, who were warm favourites. Duggan hit 0-13, including six sublime points from play, while Galvin produced one of the best individual displays seen in the county grounds, hitting 0-5 from play in a glorious second half effort. But while Duggan and Galvin put over 0-19 between them, they were surrounded by men who fought like lions for every ball. Without that intensity, added to their general calmness in possession, Clare would not be preparing for a Munster final on July 30. On a perfect evening for hurling they gave …

By Seamus Hayes Gerry O’Connor, joint manager of the Clare U- 21 hurling team which won a third successive Munster and All-Ireland title a few weeks ago, has stepped down from the post. Jimmy Browne, a member of the highly successful management team, which led Clare to Munster minor success also, has also stepped down from the position of selector A month ago, team coach and selector Paul Kinnerk stepped down from his role as senior and U-21 team coach which leaves only Donal Moloney (joint manager) of the outgoing selection committee in place and it is understood that he will be proposed as the incoming team manager at the next county board meeting. O’Connor explained this week that “work commitments” influenced his decision to step down from the post. “I have been involved for almost 10 years and there is a huge commitmentment. I would not have been able to do this job without the support of my employers, Mincon …

Clare 1-28 Cork 1-13 By Seamus Hayes IN making history at Cusack Park this evening, Clare’s U-21 hurlers turned in a truly memorable performance which earned them a third Munster title in-a-row and a fourth title in all. On the evidence of this performance, it will take a huge effort to stop a side captained by Tony Kelly from going on to win a third All-Ireland in succession. A glance at the records of this competition, which was introduced in 1964, will show that there have been a number of one-sided games and Clare have been at the wrong end of their share of these. There were many in the attendance of 12,995 at Wednesday’s final who returned from various venues throughout the province after tasting heavy defeats so, understandably, this result will have pleased them. There were many outstanding performances and while no one will disagree with the choice of midfielder Colm Galvin as the man of the match, …

By Seamus Hayes Cathal O’Connell, one of the stars of Clare’s All-Ireland U-21 hurling win last year, has been ruled out of this Wednesday’s Munster championship first round clash with Limerick. The Clonlara clubman suffered a hamstring injury in a match involving panel members on Saturday. He joins Shane O’Donnell and Alan O’Neill, who were also key players in last season’s win, on the injured list. Ballyea’s Niall Deasy is another who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Jarlath Colleran has recovered form injury and is named at corner back. The team for Wednesday’s game was named after training on Monday evening and includes just five of last year’s team. Tony Kelly will captain the team from centre forward. The team is; Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin); Jarlath Colleran (St. Josephs), Jack Browne (Ballyea), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge), Conor Cleary (Kilmaley), Gearoid O’Connell (Ballyea); Eoin Enright (Kilmaley), Colm Galvin (Clonlara); Shane Gleeson (Cratloe), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Peter Duggan …

Clare 2-28 Antrim 0-12 UNPRECEDENTED times for Clare hurling. A second successive All-Ireland under-21 title, and a third in five years, has given Clare fans reason for celebration but for the majority of the players the celebrations will be put ice for another few weeks. On Sunday, its back to training for 14 of the squad, as they turn their thought to Saturday week’s senior final replay against Cork. Clare dictated matters from beginning to end at Thurles, as Antrim were routed. It was a total mismatch. To their credit, however, the Ulster champions never gave up. Apart from the opening five minutes, when the sides when players were settling in, Clare had their third All-Ireland under-21 title wrapped up midway through the opening half when they had a six point lead. Antrim were clearly struggling to keep with them. Seven minutes from half time, the opening goal came from corner forward Davy O’Halloran and four minutes later his Éire Óg club-mate …

  THERE  is one change in personnel on the Clare under-21 hurling team from the side which started against Galway for Saturday’s All-Ireland final clash with Antrim. Cathal Malone retains his place at wing forward in place of Aaron Cunningham. The Ennistymon man replaced Cunningham when the Wolfe Tones player suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final. Cunningham is named among the substitutes. The Clare team is: Ronan Taaffe (Tubber); Paul Flanagan (Ballyea) captain, David McInerney (Tulla), Jack Browne (Ballyea); Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Alan O’Neill (St Joseph’s) Stephen O’Halloran (Clarecastle); Colm Galvin (Cratloe), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Paudge Collins (Cratloe), Cathal Malone (Ennistymon); Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg) Davy O’Halloran (Éire Óg). Subs: Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin), Niall Arthur (Inagh-Kilnamona), Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones), Jarlath Colleran (St Joseph’s) Enda Boyce (Cratloe), Mikey O’Neill (Kilmaley), Kevin Lynch (Sixmilebridge), Darragh Corry (Tulla) and Daire Keane (Kilmaley). Seamus Hayes

  THERE  is one change in personnel on the Clare under-21 hurling team from the side which started against Galway for Saturday’s All-Ireland final clash with Antrim. Cathal Malone retains his place at wing forward in place of Aaron Cunningham. The Ennistymon man replaced Cunningham when the Wolfe Tones player suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final. Cunningham is named among the substitutes. The Clare team is: Ronan Taaffe (Tubber); Paul Flanagan (Ballyea) captain, David McInerney (Tulla), Jack Browne (Ballyea); Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Alan O’Neill (St Joseph’s) Stephen O’Halloran (Clarecastle); Colm Galvin (Cratloe), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Paudge Collins (Cratloe), Cathal Malone (Ennistymon); Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg) Davy O’Halloran (Éire Óg). Subs: Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin), Niall Arthur (Inagh-Kilnamona), Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones), Jarlath Colleran (St Joseph’s) Enda Boyce (Cratloe), Mikey O’Neill (Kilmaley), Kevin Lynch (Sixmilebridge), Darragh Corry (Tulla) and Daire Keane (Kilmaley). Seamus Hayes