The Leinster final, two Munster semi-finals and an Ulster quarter-final make it a busy week of Bord Gáis U21HC action.

Bord Gáis Energy Leinster GAA Hurling U21 Final - Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, Wednesday 14 July, 7.30pm
 
A first Bord Gáis Energy Leinster Hurling U-21 Final since 2004 and no provincial success since 2002, Tony Dempsey's Wexford team will be keen to make up for lost time. In the interim they have watched Kilkenny become the kings of Leinster U-21 hurling and have watched Dublin attempt to take that crown away from them.
 
However, many Slaney-siders feel that this could be their year. A hugely convincing first half performance the last day out against a highly fancied Carlow side, showed what they are capable of - but they will be keen to avoid a repeat of their complacent second half showing.
 
Midfielder Eoin Moore has been showing well from play and from placed balls, and their forwards combined well the last day out. 
 
Dublin come into their eighth Leinster U-21 Final since 2001 knowing that appearances are not enough any more for a county that have promised so much, for so long at this level.
 
Dublin show two changes from the Semi-Final win over Kilkenny with two Kilmacud Crokes players, Robert O'Loughlin and Barry O'Rorke, coming in to the starting 15.
 
With Brian Cody in attendance, revenge was sweet for the Dubs in Nowlan Park, but beating Kilkenny will be seen as only another step towards their ultimate goal of silverware.
 
A quick brace of scores at the start of both halves settled them into their stride the last day and a similar sequence of scores from Rushe, Stapleton and Kelly would do them no harm at all on Wednesday.
 
A very tight game to call - but home advantage and a partisan home crowd should propel Riche Stakelum's side to victory.
 
Dublin:  F. McGarry, R. Walsh, D. Kelly, O. Gough, R. O'Loughlin, M. Quilty, P. Kelly, C. Clinton, P. Buckeridge, S. Stapleton, L. Rushe, D. Plunkett, B. O'Rorke, D. Treacy, N. McMorrow.
 
Wexford: M. Fanning, B. McCormack, M. O'Hanlon, E. Doyle, S. Murphy, A. Shore, M. O'Hanlon, E. Moore, M. O'Regan, L. Óg McGovern, S. Tomkins, H. Kehoe, E. Kent, J. Gahan, J. Reck.
  
 
Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Semi-Final - Limerick v Clare, Wednesday 14 July, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm
 
Both teams come into this Bord Gáis Energy Semi-Final by way of a straight draw so there is no form book to go on for either team.
 
It is hard to believe that this time last year, Clare had never won a Munster or an All-Ireland U-21 title - but that all changed amid euphoric scenes in Croke Park as the boys from the Banner claimed the Cross of Cashel for the first time in their history.
 
A number of players from that side are still around this year, in particular the Bord Gáis Energy Breaking Through Player of the Year, Darach Honan. Manager John Minogue is also back again and they will be keen to put up a stout defence of a title they fought so hard to win.
 
For Limerick, it has been a tough year both on and off the field for their senior team so a good run in the U-21s would be a perfect antidote for a hurling mad county.
 
However, this level has not been kind to them lately and they have not appeared in a Munster U-21 Final since 2002's three-in-a-row success.  The draw this year gives Limerick one shot at reaching a Munster U-21 Final and even though it is against the reigning All-Ireland champions they will be well aware that player turn-over means that last year counts for little at this age group. Leo O'Connor has a full squad to choose from for his team's trip to the Gaelic Grounds.
 
Expect a fierce encounter but perhaps a tentative nod towards Clare.
 
Limerick: B. Hennessey, B. Cleary, P. Begley, C. Hayes, Padraig O'Brien, P. O'Loughlin, N. Quaid, T. O'Brien, P. Browne, James O'Brien, C. Madden, D. Hannon, M. Kiely, S. Tobin, G. Mulcahy
 
Clare: TBC

Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Semi Final - Cork v Tipperary, CHANGED TO Páirc Uí Chaoímh, Wednesday 14 July, 7.30pm
 
Tipperary and Cork, two of the giants of hurling, come face to face in this year's second Bord Gáis Energy Munster U-21 Semi Final. 
 
This is one of the eagerly anticipated clashes of the Summer calendar, in any year, at any level, in any code.  These U-21 teams are brimming with both underage talent and settled senior performers and supporters can not wait for this game.
 
In the only quarter final of this year's Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Championship, Cork overwhelmed Waterford on a score line of 1-16 to 1-3. They dominated in every area of the field and were it not for a red card to centre forward Cian McCarthy, their night's work could not have been better.
 
A defence that only conceded 1-3 and a midfield that created plenty of chances for forwards well capable of taking those chances. Add to this the dead ball accuracy of Newtownshandrum's Ryan Clifford and this is a good recipe for success.
 
Their starting 15 shows two changes from the last day out, with Sarsfield's Daniel Roche coming in for the suspended Cian McCarthy, while Robert White comes in at 14.
 
Tipperary come into this game with question marks over the form of some of their leading lights but senior form rarely carries through to U-21 level so expect to see huge performances from Noel McGrath and Padraic Maher.
 
Indeed manager Ken Hogan has installed Maher as this year's captain and you would imagine that the extra responsibility this will bring, will only drive on the young man from Thurles Sarsfields.   Hogan is without Brian O'Mara and John O'Neill due to knee injuries.
 
It's been 15 years since Tipperary last won an U-21 All-Ireland title - do not be surprised if Wednesday is the first step on the road to another.
 
Tipperary: J. Logue, K. O'Gorman, J. Coughlan, M. Cahill, J. Barry, Paudie Maher (capt.), Brendan Maher, S. Hennessey, N. McGrath, Denis Maher, Patrick Maher, P. Murphy, A. Ryan, John O'Dwyer, M. Heffernan
 
Cork: D. McCarthy, S. McDonnell, E. Keane, C. O'Sullivan, J. Nagle, W. Egan (capt.), L. McLoughlin, D. Kearney, S. O'Farrell, M. Collins, D. Roche, M. Bowles, R. White, L. O'Farrell, R. Clifford.


Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Quarter Final - Armagh v Fermanagh, Brewster Park, Wednesday 14 July, 7.30pm
 
Fermanagh's prize for beating Monaghan and Donegal en route to an Ulster U-21 Shield Victory is a Quarter Final clash with Armagh.
 
The majority of this Fermanagh team was on last year's All Ireland Minor Hurling 'C' winning team and brought that winning mentality to the Shield Final when they beat Donegal 3-11 to 0-6. They will no doubt go into this Quarter Final in good form and looking forward to causing a bit of an upset.
 
Armagh for their part have been waiting in the long grass but will be wary of an opponent coming into a championship match with two games already under their belts and will be grateful of home advantage and support.
 
In addition to this they come into this match on the back of their senior team's thrilling last gasp win in the Nicky Rackard Cup final against London.  

It promises to be a tight game but a semi final on 21st July against Derry awaits the winners of this match and home advantage may be enough to swing this Armagh's way.
 
Armagh: TBC
 
Fermanagh: D. McPhillips, E. Markey, S. Curran (capt.), L. Harte, C. Rice, F. McBrien, O. Boyle, J. Duffy, K. Mohan, R. Porteous, J.P. McGarry, M. Montgomery, D. Teague, R. Hyde, Tweet

Most Read Stories