In-form Kingdom set for tough test

FROM several angles, forecasting tonight’s Munster U21FC final in Tralee should be a no-brainer. History is on Kerry’s side as they stand as the provincial market leaders in this grade with 25 titles whereas Tipperary are still in search of their first crown.

The form is with Kerry after they ousted last year’s All-Ireland champions Cork by eight points in the first round and then hammered Waterford in the semi-final. They have top players in Barry John Walsh, John Buckley and Barry John Keane who are poised to break into the senior ranks before the summer’s out. And to top it off, they have home advantage in Austin Stack Park.

But despite all that, Tipperary still have a real chance here. Unlike past underage sides from the county this group of players cannot be accused of lacking in big game experience. For Ciarán McDonald, John Coghlan and Sean Carey, this is their third consecutive Munster U21 decider and the rest of the team have accrued experience from last year’s Munster U21 final and the past two minor deciders. That should help them not be overawed by the occasion tonight.

There is quality in their team as well. Peter Acheson and Alan Moloney are paired together in a formidable midfield that can attack the strength that Buckley provides for Kerry in that sector. McDonald and Coghlan are fine defenders who are likely to be tasked with keeping tabs on the Barry John show up front. Their is scoring versatility up front as well as evidenced by the 16 points they chalked up against Limerick in the semi-final with Sean Carey, Conor Sweeney and Bernard O’Brien their chief marksmen.

Kerry have yet to face a stern examination of their credentials and this is unlikely to be as lopsided as their last two clashes. Tipperary should make this a real battle and it’ll be interesting to see how Kerry react to such a situation.

But Kerry deserve to get backed here. The main players of Buckley, Walsh and Keane supply the requisite class and along with the supporting cast of Barry Shanahan, Daithi Casey and Paul Geaney, they can prevail on the scoreboard.

Meanwhile in Ulster, the U21 championship has been whittled down to four teams with the semi-finals to be decided tonight. In Omagh, championship favourites Derry face Donegal with Damien Cassidy’s side buoyed by recent successes over Tyrone and Fermanagh. Derry have a strong team backboned by Caolan O’Boyle, James Kielt, Carlos McWilliams and Aaron Kerrigan. If they can curb Donegal marksmen Michael Murphy and Dermot Molloy, they should advance.

The other semi-final sees a novel pairing in Brewster Park between Monaghan and Cavan. Cavan excelled last week against Down with David Givney, Niall McDermott and Declan McKiernan all to the fore. But if Monaghan’s senior stars Kieran Huges, Colin Walshes, Dermot Malone and Colm Greenan impress, then they should triumph.