Under 21 hurling provincial finals previews

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Championship
PREVIEWS:

Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Final
Antrim v Armagh
Casement Park, 7.30pm
For Armagh, the Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Final represents a chance to add another chapter to what has already been a remarkable year for hurling in the Orchard County.

With an Ulster final appearance already under their belts at minor level, not to mention their last gasp win in the Nicky Rackard Cup, regardless of the U-21 result, 2010 will already live long in the memory of all those involved with hurling in the county. But a first ever title would be even sweeter.

Based on their strong showing against Fermanagh and even better showing against Derry, much will be expected of captain Nathan Curry and his men. In the semi final against a much fancied Derry team they lead 2-6 to 0-2 at half time and should Antrim allow the likes of Conor Coulter and Michael Lennon to build up a similar head of steam, they will be a tough team to contain.

Antrim hurling on the other hand has also had a good Summer under the stewardship of Dinny Cahill. A famous win for their seniors against Dublin was followed up with a more than decent showing against the Rebels last weekend in Croke Park.

A number of those Antrim senior players line up for the U-21s and their man mountain of a captain Cormac Donnelly will be raring to go having been rested for the semi final win and having given Aisake Ó hAilpín plenty to think about last weekend.

Without doubt, Antrim are the kings of U-21 Ulster hurling and while they will be more than wary of the threat posed by Armagh, their experience at this level should see them over the line.

Antrim: TBC
Armagh: TBC


Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Final
Tipperary v Clare
Semple Stadium, 7.30pm

Two classic Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 semi finals produced two worthy winners in Tipperary and Clare.

In the Gaelic Grounds, Clare fought off the attentions of a very impressive Limerick side to win by three points, but it was a hard fought win with both sides showing periods of dominance and it took final minute scores for Clare to put daylight between them.

Clare's inside forward line were the tormentors in chief that evening against Limerick with the impressive Conor McGrath and Darach Honan amassing a very decent 1-12 between them and you can be sure that keeping this deadly duo quiet will be upper most in Tipperary minds.

First time Munster winners last year, Clare will be hoping to add to that tally in Thurles but will have since noted the impressive display in the other semi final from the Premier County.

Over in Páirc Uí Chaíomh on the same evening, Cork and Tipperary were playing out their own classic. Finishing 2-17 to 0-21, this high scoring semi final went to extra time for the second year in a row after Seamus Hennessy scored a last minute penalty for Tipperary. After extra time it was Tipperary who prevailed by two points.

Tipp will once again be hoping for stellar performances from Noel McGrath, Seamus Hennessy and Padraic Maher but will be hoping that they don't need Hennessy's heroics from last minute placed balls this time.

For the Munster Final, the Tipperary line up shows two changes from that game with Sean Carey and Brian O'Meara coming in from the start having shown well from the bench the last day.

Tipperary: J. Logue, K. O'Gorman, J. Coghlan, M. Cahill, J. Barry, P. Maher (capt.), B. Maher, S. Hennessy, N. McGrath, D. Maher, P. Maher, P. Murphy, A. Ryan, J. O'Dwyer, M. Heffernan.

Clare: D Touhy; D Nash, C Chaplin, J Gunning; L Markam, C Morey, P O'Connor; N O'Connell, S Collins; P Vaughan, J Conlon (capt.), E Hayes; F Kennedy, D Honan, C McGrath.