U-21 football race to kick off… finally

The decision to delay the starting date for the U-21 Football Championship this year has led to much debate in recent weeks.

When the new dates were proposed as part of the new competition structure for the championship in the masters fixtures play back in February, there were few objectors at the time.

County secretary Pat Fitzgerald was a strong opponent of the time frame proposed and, in the past two weeks in particular, he had received a lot of support but it has come too late for this year’s competition which gets underway this weekend with games in all three divisions.

Since the fixtures were announced last week, two clubs have withdrawn, informing the board that they will not be able to field in the competition.

St Breckan’s were due to take on Ennistymon in a first round tie in the race for the A title but, as Lisdoonvarna club’s secretary John Hehir confirmed this week, “We just don’t have the numbers. We only had 13 and this was down to 12 because of injury. We had appealed to get into Division 3 and we are disappointed that our appeal didn’t succeed.”

“To make up a team we would have had to rely on U-16s and, by rule, they can’t play at U-21 level and this is also a problem for a lot of clubs.

“Last year we were in Division 1 and eight of our players were up to the age and are gone from that grade this year. Stephen Tierney tried to get a squad together but all he got was 12,” according to Hehir.

St Senan’s Kilkee were due to play Doonbeg in a first round game in the B competition this week but lack of numbers has also seen them withdraw from the competition.

Four first round games are listed for decision in the A championship. On Saturday Lissycasey and Miltown will clash at Cooraclare, while Clondegad will face Wolfe Tones at Éire Óg.

On Sunday Kilrush will take on North Clare amalgamation Michael Cusack’s-Kilfenora-Liscannor while Éire Óg will be up against the new amalgamation of Kilmihil, Shannon Gaels and Killimer.

The first round tie involving St Joseph’s and Kilmurry-Ibrickane will take place on Saturday week due to the involvement of both in the senior final on Sunday.

Cratloe, Corofin and Ennistymon have received byes into the quarter-finals.

All four quarter-final games in the C Championship will be played on Saturday. Michael Cusack’s face Meelick at Gurteen, Banner play Parteen at Kilkishen, Kildysart face Killimer at Coolmeen and O’Curry’s-Naomh Eoin will face Coolmeen at Doonbeg.

There is one U-21B tie this week and this sees Cooraclare face the Kildysart-Coolmeen combination at Labasheeda on Sunday.