A preview of the games to be played
Munster MHC final
Clare v Waterford, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Tomorrow, 2pm – THIS minor final pairing is indicative of the winds of change blowing through underage hurling in the province, bringing together the champions of the last two years, with Waterford winning in 2009 and Clare claiming the title last year.
Clare reached the All-Ireland final last year where they lost narrowly to Kilkenny and will start as hot favourites. They looked very impressive when seeing off Kerry and Tipperary, while Waterford lost big leads before hanging on to beat both Tipperary and Limerick.
With Tony Kelly, Jamie Shanahan, Oisín Hickey and Colm Galvin still around from last year, Clare might have the edge but will need to watch 15-year-old Waterford full forward Stephen Bennett, who bagged 3-2 in the semi-final win over Limerick.
CLARE (probable): E Quilligan; J Browne, N O’Connor, S Morey; J Colleran, J Shanahan, G O’Connell; C Galvin, T Kelly; E Enright, C O’Connell, P Duggan; S O’Donnell, O Hickey, A Cunningham.
WATERFORD (probable): P Cooke; J Barron, D Ahern, C Walsh; S O’Neill, D Foley, S Roche; S McNulty, R Barry; D Flynn, J Dillon, G O’Brien; A O’Sullivan, S Bennett, C Chester.
Leinster MFC final
Meath v Dublin, Croke Park, Tomorrow, 12pm – Two legends will renew their rivalry on the touchline, All-Ireland medal winner and GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell is at the helm of a highly-rated Dubs side meeting a Meath team managed by former Kildare All-Star Davy Dalton.
A number of the Meath side are underage again next year and when beaten by Louth in their first game little was expected of the Royals. But they seized their chance to redeem themselves via the back door and beat Louth in the semi-final 0-13 to 0-10.
Dublin began their campaign hammering Westmeath and demolished Kildare 1-24 to 0-11 in the semi-final. Exciting young forward star Ciarán Kilkenny was on the Dublin minor hurling team who beat Kilkenny last Sunday, – as were Emmet Ó Conghaile, Eric Lowndes and Cormac Costello – a son of Dublin CEO John.
Long term, Meath fans have high hopes for their midfield pairing of Pádraic Harnan and Shane McEntee – nephews of Meath’s 1987 and 1988 All-Ireland heroes Liam and Gerry. But big things have been expected of Farrell’s young Dubs all year and they should have the superior firepower.
MEATH: R Burlingham; A Forde, C McGill, O Fitzpatrick; C Finn, S Melia, D Smyth; P Harnan, S McEntee; N Shorthall, B O’Brien, C O’Sullivan; B McMahon, R Farrelly, W McGrath.
DUBLIN (probable): R O’Hanlon; R Real, R McDaid, G Hannigan; J McCaffrey, J Small, E Lowndes; E Ó Conghaile, P O’Higgins; C Costello, D Campbell, G Ivory; C Kilkenny, P Mannion, S Fulham.
