The Cadbury under-21 football championship starts tonight.

Kildare have had decent minor teams over the last few years although they lost to Dublin in the Leinster final replay two years ago and were ambushed by Longford last year after winning their epic marathon against the Dubs. I would be reasonably optimistic of a good performance.

Any other counties think they have a good side coming along for this year?

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 23/02/2011 09:15:51    874180

Our lads won the AI minors in 08 - so I'm hopeful myself that Tyrone will get a good run in the competition. Despite regularly producing good minor teams in the last few years, we have really really struggled in the U21 grade of late.

We've a very very tricky tie against Down (the 1st round of Ulster) on the 16th March. Nervous about that game, however if we get over that we could be playing on the 30th April! Very strong panel, strength in depth, (7 are on the senior panel) and the cream of last years AI minor winning team has been included as well.

Fingers crossed, If we are to stay at the top table of the GAA world, we need this particular group of lads to get a good run.

Looking around the country - you'd have to expect Mayo & Dublin to be among the favourites for the AI U21 this year.

I predict:
Ulster ~ Tyrone (Down & Armagh look to be the main dangers to ourselves in Ulster)
Munster ~ Kerry (hesitant vote, but they've been doing well in the colleges football of late)
Connaght ~ Mayo (3 very good minor teams in the last 3 years, strongly fancy)
Leinster ~ Dublin (Strong representation from last years victorious panel)

redhandmacca (Tyrone) - Posts: 240 - 23/02/2011 10:53:09    874253

The reigning All-Ireland champions are now out! Dublin lost the first round of the championship to Meath after extra time, these underage games are really under appreciated in my opinion. Kerry lok to have a strong team this year but Cork look very strong too.

3SeptemberRoad (Kerry) - Posts: 99 - 24/02/2011 09:58:31    875102

Leinster is now blown wide open!

arrows85 (Carlow) - Posts: 202 - 24/02/2011 11:01:12    875178

Couldnt agree with your more '3SeptemberRoad' regarding this compeition being under appreciated. Pity TG4 are only broadcasting the two AI semi finals & AI final live. I would have thought this competition would have attracted good viewing audiences each wednesday night between now & April 30.

On a separate note, my predictions didnt last too long with the Dubs last night! lol
Hope I havnt given Mayo Tyrone & Kerry the 'scud' as well :-P

redhandmacca (Tyrone) - Posts: 240 - 24/02/2011 11:13:46    875194

It may suprise you all but carlow cant be left out of the equation
We lost the leinster semi final last year to dublin by an awful referees decision and dublin went on to win all ireland
I was in at the Carlow V Wicklow game last night and we were very good but I am sure with our luck that something will go wrong but heres hoping carlow for cadburys

TheBarrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 82 - 24/02/2011 11:37:16    875223

My preditions:
Ulster: Tyrone(dark horses: Cavan)
Connacht:Mayo(dark horses: Roscommon)
Leinster:Meath(dark horses: Longford)
Munster:Kerry(Dark horses: Tipperary)

ros17 (Roscommon) - Posts: 64 - 24/02/2011 11:49:15    875248

Cracking game last night in Navan with Meath and Dublin.A replay might be a fairer way to decide a winner.Both teams deserved another chance and clearly its because of a fixture pile up that prevents replays.Should the u 21 championship be played later in the year?

noneutrals (Dublin) - Posts: 316 - 24/02/2011 11:54:17    875255

I think regardless of when this competition is played, there will always be trouble with games clashing and issues over player burnout etc.

I think Westmeath and Kildare should give the Leinster championship a good rattle.

Cork still have the likes of Aidan Walsh and Ciaran Sheehan playing so must be considered one of the favourites. Kerry have some very good forwards but I'm unsure about the overall team. And Tipp shocked everyone last year

I think Tyrone won the Minors 3 years ago but never really do that well at U21 level for some reason, Donegal will be strong in Ulster.

In Connacht it's hard to look any further than Mayo and Galway but then again they were both hotly tipped last year and Roscommon and Sligo beat them and deservedly so!

3SeptemberRoad (Kerry) - Posts: 99 - 24/02/2011 12:55:30    875359

WEXFORD FOR LEINSTER

footiegw (Wexford) - Posts: 178 - 24/02/2011 13:18:25    875381

WEXFORD FOR LEINSTER

footiegw (Wexford) - Posts: 178 - 24/02/2011 13:18:25    875382

Westmeath for me are going to be serious contenders for the u21 this year. Extremely organized and have some star players in key positions and with Heslin to return they are going to take some stopping !

Rossy (UK) - Posts: 86 - 24/02/2011 13:40:32    875409

Wed 23rd Feb 2011 Cremartin Cup Final in Emyvale Tyrone 2-12 Monaghan 0-10 ------ Following a series of strange results the Tyrone U21 Footballers qualified for the final of the Cremartin Cup against neighbours Monaghan in Emyvale tonight. The Tyrone men secured a comfortable win thanks to goals from Niall McKenna and Diarmuid McNulty.

Well done lad's

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 24/02/2011 17:58:17    875722

wexford v kildare can wexford cause a massive upset against the favorites for leinster

bogstandard (Wexford) - Posts: 799 - 08/03/2011 10:41:12    883482

Yes but No.

They have the potential but like most Wexford teams not the belief. It has and is a big problem with Wexford underage teams for a long time now.

Nick (Wexford) - Posts: 1100 - 08/03/2011 10:49:30    883497

I was actually down in Enniscorthy for the match last night and wouldn't go overboard on talking it up as a big shock Wexford looked a very tidy outfit with a lightning-fast full-forward line . Yer man Kevin O'Grady looks a bit special and did a lot of damage. Kildare have named a strong side and I think they've done a lot of training. Should be a good even game.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 08/03/2011 10:59:59    883512

Do Donegal not get a mention after they nearly(2 inches away) won it last year???

nc123 (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 08/03/2011 11:29:51    883542

Meath will walk Leinster. Kildare arent up tp much, about ten minors from last year in the match day squad! too young a team

sashman (Kildare) - Posts: 465 - 08/03/2011 12:11:48    883574

08/03/2011 10:41:12
bogstandard
County: Wexford
Posts: 489

883482 wexford v kildare can wexford cause a massive upset against the favorites for leinster

Where dya get the odds for leinster u21? Cant find them on the net

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 08/03/2011 12:14:26    883579

Offaly or Westmeath will be no pushovers in Leinster either.
I think its still a very difficult province to call and its anyones there for the taking

OffalyBigBall (Offaly) - Posts: 635 - 08/03/2011 12:27:05    883588