U-21 Ulster HC previews
July 20, 2010
PREVIEWS:
Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Semi Final
Antrim v Down
Casement Park, 6.45pm
Both Antrim and Derry are out for the first time in the 2010 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Championships and since the competition started, the final has always been contested by either one of these two sides or Derry.
Antrim hurling will have been given a boost by the senior team's victory over Dublin at GAA headquarters on Saturday and that may carry through to this fixture in Belfast on Wednesday evening.
Cormac Donnelly, who captains the U-21's for the second year in a row, comes fresh from that game to this and he will lead the charge along with Stephen Shannon, Martin Burke, Conor Laverty, Darren Hamill and Michael Devlin who form the spine of the Antrim team.
Last year, Down missed out on contesting the final after losing to Derry at this stage and they will surely be looking to re-assert themselves at this level having not won the provincial title since 2004. They will look to the likes of Padraig Flynn, Conor Woods, Paul Keith and senior panellist James Coyle for inspiration.
Antrim are the current Ulster Champions and if they reach the final they will be in contention for their third double in ten years. A close one to call, but Antrim look the more likely to edge this one.
Antrim: TBC
Down: TBC
Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Semi Final
Derry v Armagh
Casement Park, 8.15pm
Derry take on Armagh in the second of Wednesday night's Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 semi finals at Casement Park.
Armagh come into this match off a comfortable 11 point win over Ulster U-21 Hurling Shield winners Fermanagh. Early goals in each half ensured the win for the Orchard County whose lead was never under any real threat from the Ernesiders and captain Nathan Curry, top scorer Michael Lennon and minor captain James King will be leading the charge to repeat the form they showed at Brewster Park.
Derry, however, with the likes of Lee Hawkins, Dara McCloskey, Cailean O'Boyle and Conor McSorely on the books, are a different prospect to Fermanagh. The Oak Leafs lost out on a provincial treble last year, beaten to the title by Antrim, and it is likely that, even without the game Armagh have under their belts, Derry will be too strong for them.
Derry: TBC
Armagh: TBC
Most Read Stories