U-21 race begins with repeat of 2012 final

THE 2013 U-21 Hurling Championship draw has thrown up some mouth-watering pairings.

The race for the titles (A, B and C grades) will get underway on Saturday, March 9 and holders, Ballyea, will start the defence of a title they won for the first time by taking on the team they beat in last year’s final, their neighbours, Kilmaley.

Last year’s campaign was a particularly memorable one with a number of replays involved before a winner emerged. It took Kilmaley five outings to reach a final having entered the competition at the quarter final stage. They had two draws with Newmarket before winning at the third attempt. In the semi-final they drew with Sixmilebridge before a last-minute goal in the replay saw them score a one-point win.

In the final, however, Ballyea proved too strong and deservingly captured the title.
Another first round tie this year sees neighbours Sixmilebridge and Newmarket in opposition and this will be a repeat of the minor A final of 2010.

Eight teams will compete for the A title, 11 will battle it our for the B crown with nine competing for the C title.

U-21A
Quarter-finals: A, Newmarket v Sixmilebridge; B, Clonlara v Éire Óg; C, Clooney-Quin v Inagh-Kilnamona; D, Kilmaley v Ballyea.
Semi-finals B v C;  A v D.
U-21B
Round 1
F, Feakle-Killanena v Broadford; G, Cratloe v Clarecastle; H,Smith O’Brien’s v Crusheen.
Quarter finals: A, St Joseph’s v H; B, Corofin v O’Callaghan’s Mills; C, lla-Bodyke v G; D, lfe Tones v F.
Semi-finals: B v D; C v A.
U-21C
Round 1
Ballyea v Meelick.
Quarter-finals: A, St Joseph’s v Parteen; B, Scariff-Ogonnelloe v Tubber; C, St Senan’s, Kilkee v Ballyea or Meelick; D, Whitegate v Banner.
Semi-finals: C v B; A v D.