Banner call up six seniors for U-21 Cork showdown

CLARE, making their first appearance at U21 level this year, have named a strong team which includes six seniors for tonight’s second semi-final in the Erin Munster U21 HC against Cork in Thurles (7pm).

Bernard Gaffney and Jonathan Clancy have been regulars on the senior team, while Anthony Kilmartin, Shane O’Brien, James McInerney, and Colin Ryan are panellists with Tony’s Considine’s side.

Shane O’Brien, who will play at left half back, played minor with Tipperary before switching his allegiance from Ballina to Newmarket.

In the 1996 final Cork won comfortably, 3-16 to 2-7. Clare were last in the final in 1999 but lost to Tipperary. Despite contesting 11 finals, Clare have never won this championship.

The Leesiders were fortunate to beat Tipperary in the opening, trailing by seven points with 15 minutes to go, but they put in a storming finish to snatch victory by a point

Waterford have made three changes in their team from the side which defeated Clare in the semi-final for tomorrow night’s Munster IHC final against Limerick in Thurles.

Daniel Murphy comes in for David Howard to form a new midfield partnership with Eoin Bennett; Ger Power replaces Ken Stafford while Shane Casey is preferred to Nicky Jacob.

John Hartley move from right half forward to right half back.

This is the Waterford’s fourth final appearance in the final but they have never won this title — they were last in the final in 2003 — when Cork proved too strong.

There are three changes on the Limerick team from the side which defeated Tipperary in the semi-final. Tim Giltinan replaces Tom Condon at right corner back; Stephen Walsh comes in at midfield in place of Shane O’Neill while Mike Fitzgerald takes over from Daniel O’Neill at left corner forward.

Limerick last won the title in 1998 with victory over Tipperary.

Tomorrow night’s Leinster U21 hurling championship final between Offaly and Dublin takes on added interest now that defending All-Ireland and provincial winners Kilkenny are not involved.

Dublin are contesting their fifth final in six years and on the law of averages, they are due a victory.

Offaly last won the title in 2000, when they beat Kilkenny by a goal, 3-14 to 2-14, and having dethroned the champions in this year’s semi-final, will be fancied to bridge that seven year gap.

Both counties last met in the final back in 1972 when Offaly came through by two points, 2-11 to 0-15.

CLARE (U21 HC v Cork): P. Kelly (Inagh); C. O’Doherty (Crusheen), C. Cooney (O’Callaghans Mills), A. Kilmartin (Newmarket); G. O’Connell (Wolfe Tones), E. Barrett (Newmarket), S. O’Brien (do.); J. McInerney (do.), J. Clancy (Clarecastle); M. Flaherty (Killanena), D. Barrett (Newmarket), D. Browne (Cratloe); G. Arthur (Inagh), B. Gaffney (Newmarket), C. Ryan (do.).

WATERFORD (IHC v Limerick): I. O’Regan; B. Wall, J. O’Leary, T. Molumphy; J. Hartley, S. Kearney, W. Hutchinson; E. Bennett, D. Murphy; D. Murphy, G. Power, C. Carey, M. Molumphy; P. Fitzgerald, S. Casey, S. Barron.

Subs: A. Power, M. Kearney, M. Whelan, D. O’Gorman, J. Phelan, S. Slattery, R. Foley, P. Kearney.

LIMERICK (IHC v Waterford): J. Quaide (Feonagh); T. Giltinan (Mungret), R. McCarthy (Blackrock), R. O’Brien (Hospital/Herbertstown); L. O’Dwyer (Pallasgreen), S. Walsh (Glenroe), D. O’Brien (Mungret); D. O’Sullivan (Knockaderry), A. O’Connor (Ballybrown); A. Brennan (Caherline), R. O’Neill (South Liberties), P. Storan (Dromin/Athlacca); R. McKeogh (Kildimo), D. Murphy (Glenroe), M. Fitzgerald (Crecora).

OFFALY (U21 HC v Dublin): M. Mulrooney; C. Hernon, P. Cleary, C. Coughlan; D. Kenny, B. Leonard, B. Watkins; S. Ryan, C. Mahon; D. Horan, D. Molloy, C. Slevin; S. Dooley, J. Bergin, A. Egan.

Subs: E. Kelly, M. Verney, K. Grogan, F. Shortt, T. Hennessy, J. Gorman, E. Lee, S. Molloy, J. Whelahan