Tag Archives: U-21

U-21A Hurling Championship Final Corofin/Ruan 1-18 Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-14 HAVING dominated the minor ranks in recent seasons, Corofin/Ruan took their development to the next level with a first ever U-21A crown in Gurteen this evening, reports Eoin Brennan. Leading from the start to finish, the North Clare amalgamation justified their favourite’s tag with a strong performance. And while Newmarket never really looked like causing an upset, they still provided an obstinate challenge right to the final whistle. Overall however, Corofin/Ruan’s superior firepower and edge on balance won the day, with a powerful finish to the opening half that saw them outscore the Blues by 1-8 to 0-2 in the final ten minutes, essential to providing an unassailable ten point cushion by half-time. Shane Punch excelled with 1-10, with all but two points coming in a dominant first half with the aid of the conditions as his metronomic freetaking was perfectly accentuated by an injury-time goal. The Blues, led by captain Jack …

Since the U-21 Hurling Championship was introduced back in 1964, there has been some great times for Clare teams but with plenty of heartache as well. In the 54 championships played, Clare have played in 19 finals, including one replay. Thirteen may be regarded as unlucky for some but for the Banner the opposite was the case when the county finally got over the line on the 13th time of asking, claiming the title in Dungarvan in 2009. They went on to contest four finals in succession, winning provincial and All-Ireland titles in 2012, ’13 and ’14 before losing to Limerick in 2015. Many of the players on those teams helped the county to the All-Ireland senior title in 2013. Facing into the 2018 campaign in what remains the only inter-county championship in which participants do not get a second chance, Clare could hardly have asked for a more difficult task. Next Monday’s first round game pits the Banner against …

Since Clare made the breakthrough in winning their first provincial U-21 hurling title in 2009, Banner teams have dominated the championship. They have won four of the last eight titles, including three-in-a-row in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Next Wednesday’s semi-final tie between Clare and Shannonside rivals Limerick will take place at the Gaelic Grounds, the first meeting of the counties at this level since the final of 2015, when Limerick were victorious. This year’s manager, John Carmody, is happy that there is no pressure heading into next week’s game. “A number of the players involved this year were in the team that suffered a big defeat in Waterford last year and they will want to atone for that. We are playing the All-Ireland favorites in their own back yard and we are confident that the players will perform and express themselves on the evening,” commented the Kilmaley man. “There is a huge rivalry between the counties and form goes out …

The under 21 A hurling final will be a repeat of last year with Inagh-Kilnamona (holders) taking on Feakle-Killanena on a date to be confirmed. Feakle-Killanena were first to qualify when they scored a 2-18 to 0-17 win over Clonlara at Gurteen earlier this evening.. A contribution of 1-12, 1-9 from frees from Fiachra Donnellan, played a key part in Feakle-Killanena’s victory. Clonlara led by two points at half time when the score was 0-11 to 1-6, the winner’s first half goal having come from Darren Keehan and this was still the position five minutes into he second half after the sides had exchanged points. Donnellan’s goal, seven minutes into the second half, proved to be a crucial score and gave his side back a lead they held to the finish. Evan McMahon, Con Smyth, Cathal Noonan and Tobias O’Meara gave most support to Donnellan on the evening. Ian Galvin who contributed a dozen points, Cian and Sean Moriarty and …

Twenty eight teams will compete for the under 21  hurling titles (A, B and C) in 2017 and the draws which were made at Clare GAA headquarters in Clareabbey this evening have thrown up some interesting pairings. Inagh-Kilnamona, defending champions in the A division will face Wolfe Tones in a quarter final tie. The full draw is; Under 21 A; 1-Feakle-Killanena v Kilmaley; 2 Clonlara v Eire Og; 3-Sixmilebridge v Newmarket; 4-Inagh-Kilnamona v Wolfe Tones; Semi-finals 4 v 3 and 2 v 1 Under 21 B; Preliminary rounds; A; Crusheen-Tubber v Cratloe; B-Clarecastle v Broadford; C; Scariff-Ogonnelloe v Smith O’Briens. Quarter finals; D; St.Josephs v C; E; Ballyea v O’C. Mills; F; Clooney-Quin v B; G; Tulla v A; Semi-finals; F v G and D v E; Under 21 C; Preliminaary round; A; Kilmaley v Whitegate; Quarter finals; B; Ennistymon v Scariff; C; Eire og v Corofin; D; Parteen-Meelick v Ruan; F; A v Bodyke Semi-finals ; E v C …

AS Sunday’s U-21A county football final nears, Kilmurry Ibrickane and Lissycasey are approaching with a common agenda, yet a vastly contrasting record at this level. While Lissycasey are seeking their first U-21A title, Kilmurry have already put 13 on their sideboard, although none since they completed five in-a-row in 2007. They were beaten in the 2008 replay by St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield. This weekend’s final in Corofin will represent Lissycasey’s third at this level, having won successive minor A championships in 2013 and 2014. They lost their previous U-21 finals to Kilmurry Ibrickane and Ennistymon. En route to the final, Lissycasey have beaten Cooraclare, reigning champions Éire Óg and Kilmihil/Shannon Gaels in last Friday’s semi-final. Kilmurry will field for the fifth successive weekend, having defeated Kilrush-Killimer, St Breckan’s (replay) and Ennistymon in the semi-final. Interestingly, in the three games that Kilmurry have won, the club they defeated scored 1-7. Most of these players participated in the 2013 minor A final, when …

Twelve teams will compete for the under 21 A football championship in 2016 and first round games are expected to take place in the coming weeks. First round byes have been received by Eire Og, Ennistymon, Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil and St. Breckans while the four first round games are St. Josephs, Doora-Barefield v Ml. Cusacks/Kilfenora/Liscannor; Cooraclare v Lissycasey, Clondegad v Miltown St. Josephs and Kilmurry-Ibrickane v Kilrush-Killimer. There will be six teams in the under 21 B championship and here Corofin and Clooney-Quin received byes into the semi-finals. Wolfe Tones will play Cratloe and O’Curry’s/Naomh Eoin will take on Clarecastle. The under 21 C semi-final pairings are Kildysart v Coolmeen and Doonbeg v Banner. Meanwhile the draw for the junior A football championship semi-finals was made this Monday evening and the pairings are Meelick v Michael Cusacks and Naomh Eoin v Kilmurry-Ibrickane. By Seamus Hayes

The Clare under 21 hurling championships (A, B and C divisions) concluded over the Easter weekend and resulted in wins for Inagh-Kilnamona, Cratloe and Scariff. While the tight contest which was predicted between Inagh-Kilnamona and Feakle-Killanena in the A final materialised, the mid Clare club deservingly emerged with the crown, their second in all and their first since 2007 when the teams clashed before an attendance of 1,440 at Cusack Park on Friday evening Two first half goals from full forward Jamesie McConigley played a key part in the win and helped the team to a 2-4 to 0-7 half time lead. There were other key performances which led to the success such as a magnificent save from goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy two minutes from the final whistle, outstanding play from the full back trio of Keith Whyte, David McCarthy and Cian Mcinerney, particularly in the second half, a magnificent performance from centre forward Jason McCarthy and great leadership from David …