Young stars take centre stage in three hurling tournaments

THE tradition of intercounty underage hurling featuring heavily on the GAA agenda for the last weekend in August is maintained over the next two days.

This morning, the cream of talent from around the country battle in the Tipperary Supporters Club All-Ireland U16 Hurling Championship.

Champions Wexford won their inaugural title last year but face stiff opposition from Galway, Tipperary and Kilkenny. The finals will be held tomorrow in Semple Stadium. In Waterford the annual Tony Forristal/Sonny Walsh All-Ireland U14 hurling tournament takes place in venues around Waterford city today, with the finals taking place tomorrow morning in the Mount Sion grounds.

Today in Mallow the second annual Eugene Carey U17 All-Ireland hurling memorial tournament is scheduled.

Tipperary Supporters Club All-Ireland U16 HC: Today: Group 1 (Venue: Kilsheelan): Wexford v Limerick, 10.30am; Limerick v Offaly, 12.30pmp Wexford v Offaly, 2.30pm.

Group 2 (Venue: Clonmel): Cork v Waterford, 10.30am; Waterford v Galway, 12.30pm; Cork v Galway, 2.30pm.

Group 3 (Venue: Ardfinnan): Westmeath v Kilkenny, 10.30am; Kilkenny v Dublin, 12.30pm; Westmeath v Dublin, 2.30pm.

Group 4 (Venue: Monroe) : Clare v Tipperary, 10.30am; Tipperary v Antrim, 12.30pm; Clare v Antrim, 2.30pm.

Cup semi-finals: Winners Group 1v Winners Group 4, Monroe at 4.30pm; Winners Group 2 v Winners Group 3, Clonmel, 4.30pm.

Shield semi-finals: Runners up Group 1 v Runners Up Group 4, Kilsheelan, 4.30pm; Runners Up Group 2 v Runners Up Group 3, Ardfinnan, 4.30pm.

Tomorrow: Shield final, Semple Stadium, 11am Cup final, Semple Stadium, 12.30pm.

Tony Forristal and Sonny Walsh, All-Ireland U14 hurling tournament, Waterford:

Today: (Division 1, Group 1) (Top team qualifies for final): Venue: St. Saviours (Games are 40 minutes duration): Clare v Tipperary, 11.30am; Cork v Limerick, 12.20pm; Tipperary v Cork, 2.30pm; Clare v Limerick, 3.20pm; Tipperary v Limerick, 5pm ; Clare v Cork, 5.50pm.

Group 2: Kilkenny, Dublin, Wexford. Group 3: Waterford, Offaly, Galway (Winners of Group 2 v winner of Group 3 progress to semi-final) Venue: Mount Sion, (Games are 40 minutes duration):

Kilkenny v Dublin, 11am; Waterford v Offaly, 11.50am; Kilkenny v Wexford, 1pm; Waterford v Galway, 1.50pm; Dublin v Wexford, 3pm; Offaly v Galway, 3.50pm. Semi-final, 6pm.

Division 2, Group 1: Wexford, Cork, Dublin, Tipperary (Top team qualifies for final), Venue: Roanmore (Games are 40 minutes duration). Wexford v Cork, 11.30am; Dublin v Tipperary, 12.20pm; Cork v Dublin, 2.30pm; Wexford v Tipperary, 3.20pm; Cork v Tipperary, 5pm; Wexford v Dublin, 5.50pm.

Division 2, Group 2: Limerick, Kilkenny, Waterford, (Venue: De La Salle, Gracedieu, Games are 40 minutes duration). Limerick v Kilkenny, 11am; Waterford v Kilkenny, 12.45pm; Limerick v Waterford, 2.30pm. Semi-final – Top two teams play-off to determine group winner, 4.30pm.

Tomorrow: Division Two final, Mount Sion, 11am.

Division One final, Mount Sion, 12.30pm.

Today: Eugene Carey U-17 Hurling Tournament, Mallow. 10 am