U21 football championship results and previews

After last week’s opening round there are three more games in the U21 football championship this weekend. Three teams will make their first appearance of the year with reigning champions Ennistymon doing battle with Wolfe Tones while the 2010 runners up Cratloe will also be in action whey they square up to Clondegad on Sunday. The other game sees Miltown and St. Breckan’s facing each other in Ennistymon on Saturday. Below are the results from the previous round with the previews for this round of games underneath it.

U21 Results

U21 A

St. Breckan’s 1-14 v Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-5

Clondegad 2-8 v St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 3-4

St. Joseph’s Miltown 2-17 v Kilrush 3-4

U21 B

Kildysart/Coolmeen 3-10 v Kilmihil 2-8

Doonbeg 1-12 v Kilkee 0-14

Corofin 2-12 v Cooraclare 0-6

U21 A Previews

St. Joseph’s Miltown v St. Breckan’s @ Ennistymon, Saturday 3.30 pm

Two up and coming bunch of players here on either side that makes for an interesting and exciting game. In round 1, Miltown racked up 2-17 against Kilrush with St. Breckan’s hitting Kilmurry Ibrickane for 1-14. It is no wonder why this is being labelled as the game of the round considering the high scoring both racked up last time out. Key to the St. Breckan’s cause are the Cormican twins and Stephen Tierney, if Miltown are to win this one they will need to combat this trio. Other important figures for Breckans are the Sean Howley, Michael Reddan, John Stack and Noel McDonagh. However, Miltown have some quality performers of their own including Joe Curtin, Peter Cleary, Micheal Malone, Darragh McDonag and the Cleary twins Conor and Eoin. It is a hard match to call and is shaping up to be the game of the round. Both teams have a good win under their belts and will be hoping to gather more momentum as they go in search of glory. Miltown seem to have the better balanced side and will hope to get one step closer to last year where Lissycasey upset them in the semi final. They will however need to contain Breckan’s main men who on their day are match winners. Expect Miltown to advance here with a win in what should be a tight affair.

Verdict: St. Joseph’s Miltown

Ennistymon v Wolfe Tones @ Eire Óg, Sunday 1 pm

A first outing for both these two sides that in the recent few years have made great strides at underage level. Ennistymon clinched the county title last year with a good win over Lissycasey. Prior to this they claimed a number of underage titles and actually got to the U21 final in 2009 as well where they were well beat by Cratloe. On the other hand Wolfe Tones from Shannon have also reaped the rewards with underage glory including an U16 A championship last year after a lapse of six years. It is expected a few of that side will see action this weekend. Interestingly both clubs met in the senior B final last year where the Shannon side proved too strong on the day for their North Clare opponents. A notable feature was the presence of youthful exuberance on both panels for that game with a number of those expected to take to the field for this tie. Most of the victorious 2010 Ennistymon side are available again as they try defend their crown at this grade. They have county experience in the shape of Micheal O’Loughlin, Sean Driscoll, Sean McConigley, Michael McDonagh, Ronan Linnane and Joey Rouine who are all expected to be in their team as they go in search of glory yet again. Clare U21’s Daniel Gallery and Sean Brennan will be the key men for Wolfe Tones who will also look to county minors Craig O’Brien and William Flynn along with Stephen McInerney and Aaron Leahy for inspiration. It will be interesting to see how this game enfolds but on paper anything other than an Ennistymon win would be a surprise as they have so many of their 2010 team available.

                                   Joey Rouine will be in the Ennistymon attack on Sunday

Verdict: Ennistymon

Clondegad v Cratloe @ Gurteen, Sunday 7 pm

This is another interesting tie with some quality footballers expected to be on display. Clondegad impressed last time out against a fancied St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield while Cratloe had a bye in the previous round. However both sides will be sweating on the availability of key players for this game. For Clondegad It remains to be seen if Tony Kelly and Gearoid O’Connell line out as both are key players on the Clare minor hurling side that will be in action in the Munster final next week while county senior panellist Shane Brennan is struggling with injury. If these three are not available for Sunday then it would represent a huge blow to the hopes of a victory for the Mid Clare outfit. In addition to the above trio they will look to chief score getter Paudge McMahon, Conor Gavin, Cormac Ryan and Kevin Donnelly to spring a surprise here. Cratloe are tipped by many to go all the way this year, in the 2010 semi final Ennistymon got revenge for the defeat Cratloe inflicted on them in the 2009 final. Similar to their opponents Cratloe have worries of their own, they will hope that key men and Clare senior hurlers Liam Markhan, Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney will come through the All-Ireland senior hurling championship qualifier game against Galway on Saturday unscathed. They have a quality side with players such as Conor Ryan, Padraig Collins, Jamie Joyce and the De Loughrey twins Dean and Wesley amongst their team while Markham mans the middle with McInerney and McGrath their most potent forwards. Although Clondegad are an up and coming team it is very hard to look beyond Cratloe who should have too much in the tank for last years U21 B finalists.

Verdict: Cratloe

Clare U21 football championsip rolls into action

It’s that time of the year once again when the crème de la crème of the county’s best U21 footballers go in search of glory in the respective grades. For football followers there is an action packed round of fixtures in the A and B championship this Saturday and Sunday. Firstly let’s look at Saturday which plays host to one 1^st round game in the base championship with two more down for decision in the second tier. Meanwhile on Sunday there are three ties in the A grade and two more in the B competition with the game between Lissycasey and Eire Óg potentially the pick of the round. Anyway enough of the chitchat here are the previews for this weekends action.

Saturday

U21 A Championship Round 1

Kilrush Shamrocks v St. Joseph’s Miltown at Doonbeg 6:30 pm M Talty

There is nothing like a good battle between two footballing hotbeds to get the ball rolling for this championship. In Kilrush Shamrocks and St. Joseph’s we certainly have that with the two club’s having proud histories and of course success with the big ball. It is fair to say that both will fancy their chances at this level this year with both having made strides in recent years. Miltown will start this game as favourites which is hardly surprising considering the amount of inter county experience that lies within their ranks. Underdogs Kilrush will feature Clare U21 back man Chris Dixon who will provide leadership and the Shams will also need Clare minor Darragh Bolton and the likes of Eoin Tarrant, Callum Bond and Conn Prenderville on form if they are to upset the odds. Since they won the U21 B title in 2008 the men from Mount Callan and surrounds have blooded a number of players in with the guile and class that remains from that team. In Joe Curtin, Micheal and Seanie Malone they have key performers from that 2008 team, add in exciting minors such as the Cleary twins Eoin and Conor and you have a well balanced side. Expect the Miltown boys to advance here.

Verdict: Miltown

 Conor Cleary in action for the Clare minor footballers

U21 B Round 1

Kilmihil v Kildysart-Coolmeen at Labasheeda 6 pm M Fitzgerald

The Shannon Gaels club grounds in Labasheeda will play host to this clash of a youthful Kilmihil and the estuary amalgamation of Kildysart-Coolmeen. Kilmihil are likely to include a number of minors in their side including Stan Lineen and Martin O’Leary both of who are Clare minor players while the likes of Daniel Blake, Colm Callinan and Mark Coughlan are other key players who will provide experience. Their opponents Kildysart-Coolmeen partook in the A grade last year putting it up to 2009 champions Cratloe before fading away. Indeed, they will be hopeful of success at this level and with players such as Keith O’Connor, Kieran Leahy, Damien Hill (Kildysart) and Coolmeen duo Jason O’Leary, Kevin Corry amongst their side they will be quietly confident of advancing to the next stage. The amalgamation should have just enough to advance to the next round.

Verdict: Kildysart-Coolmeen

                            Kildysart-Coolmeen will look to Keith O'Connor to show the way

Clarecastle v Shannon Gaels at Ballynacally 6 pm D Fox

Who can forget the two classic duel these two neighbours played out last year? Eventually it was the Magpies led by the skilful Aaron Considine that prevailed on the right side of a 2-10 to 2-9 finish in the replay. Interestingly, Considine could have been facing his own club if his transfer to the Gaels earlier in the year was not withdrawn. A member of the county junior panel he will lead the well known hurling club’s charge for success at the big ball most likely from centre back or midfield. Other players of note for the men from Clarecastle are Fergus Ryan, Jamie Coughlan, Conor O’Gorman and Cormac Donnellan. Once again, the Gaels will have assistance from neighbouring club Killimer who again are not fielding at adult level this year. Killimer native Ruairí Norby is their danger man and he will need good support from ex county minor Micheal O'Donnoghue, Sean Reynolds, Diarmuid Lorrigan and Nigel Hehir if this young side are to reverse the scoreline from the aforementioned 2010 game. A number of their team were part of their minor winning outfit that claimed the C title last year in their amalgamation with Killimer and should see off the Considine led Clarecastle here.

Verdict: Shannon Gaels

Sunday

U21 A Championship Round 1

St. Breckan’s v Kilmurry-Ibrickane at Ennistymon 12 noon T Stackpool

A repeat of the 2008 county minor B football final with a clash of St. Breckan’s Lisdoonvarna and Kilmurry-Ibrickane. On that occasion it was Breckan’s who won the day. That will be firmly etched on the back of these Ibrickane minds come Sunday where they will be eager to inflict revenge on Breckans who are making the step up having won the B title last year. They certainly have a strong side a number of whom were introduced to the adult football scene when they were just out of U16, three such figures are the fulcrum of this bunch namely Stephen Tierney and the Cormican twins Conor and Sean all pacey, skilful and composed footballers. Factor in other players such as John Stack and Sean Howley, and see why they are being touted as the side to keep an eye on. However, they will be up against a talented Kilmurry Ibrickane pack that included a number of lads that have worn the saffron and blue at minor over the past couple of years. A number of these are currently featuring on the panel of thie flagship team in the fishing village including main score getter Niall Hickey; factor in fellow senior panellists and medalists John Willie Sexton, Thomas Lernihan, Graham Johnson and Seamus Lynch and you have a well drilled side. This is expected to be tight game with only a kick of a ball between the two. If the Bricks can keep the Cormican’s and Tierney under wraps and keep Lynch and Hickey supplied with the ball then they have a chance. However, that trio are a handful to watch so the shout goes to Breckan's.

Verdict: St. Breckan's

            Graham Johnson is expected to be in the Kilmurry defence this weekend              

Clondegad v St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Eire Óg 12 noon J Hannon

This is another tie that has all the makings of a good free flowing game of football. Clondegad have a number of players that are key to their intermediate side while St. Joseph’s have a good bunch coming through having won the minor A championship in 2010. Footballers of the calibre of Padraig McMahon and current senior panellist Shane Brennan would make any club side in the county. They are important men for Clondegad who can also call on the likes of Cormac Ryan, Clare minor football captain Conor Gavin and his hurling counterpart Tony Kelly. Doora/Barefield are traditionally a hurling club but in recent years have made great strides at football including U21 success in 2008 and of course the minor win less than 12 months ago. The likes of Stephen Collins, Shane O’Connor, Alan O’Neill, Jarlath Colleran and Cathal Duggan are all good footballers and they will fancy their chances against the 2010 B finalists in this one. Again, it is hard to call but you would give a hesitant nod to Barefield.

Verdict: St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield

Eire Óg v Lissycasey at Ballyea 12 noon P. Cosgrove

Lissycasey will look to make up for the disappointment of last years final defeat with a win over an Eire Óg side that on paper are capable of ruffling a few feathers. The West Clare team will start as favourites but they will be up against an Eire Óg team featuring current Clare senior Darren O’Neill, who is an injury doubt, and two others with senior experience in the shape of Dean Ryan and Sean Crotty. These three will fill central positions on the town sides fifteen with the likes of Darren O’Meara and Graham Glynn. As for Lissycasey who came up just short last year, they have the majoirty of that corp of players available again this year. They will seek good performances from Enda Finnucane, Martin O’Connor, Dermot Nagle, Matthew O’Shea and Francie Hayes if they are to move a step closer to getting back to the final. It could very well be a close game and the game of the round but it really depends on whether or not the Townies get going, if they don’t then expect Lissycasey to win it with no fuss. On the other hand, if they do then expect a ding dong battle.

Verdict: Lissycasey

               The Lissycasey team that lost out to Ennistymon in the 2010 final

U21 B Round 1

Corofin v Cooraclare at Miltown 12 noon B Kelly

Another interesting tie will be held at Hennessy Memorial Park where Corofin will face Cooraclare. This particular Corofin side has a number of players that are regulars on their adult side while Cooraclare have a nice blend of youth and experience. In 2010 Cooraclare got to the last eight of the A championship with help from Kilkee while Corofin came up short in the semi final in the B equivalent. You would expect the Milesians to advance with Thomas Downes, John and Gearoid Looney, Joey Martyn and Damien Burke available. However Corofin also have good potential in the likes of Luke O’Loughlin, Kevin and Stephen Heagney, Fionn Clancy and Darren Malone. It is another hard one to call but while it is difficult to predict a winner Cooraclare’s experience of playing in the premier tier might steer them to victory.

Verdict: Cooraclare

Doonbeg v St. Senan’s Kilkee at Kilrush 6 pm G Keane

This local derby is bound to bring out supporters of each clubs to Kilrush on Sunday when they go into battle for a place in the next round. Given the rivalry that exists between these two you can expect a battle with very little expected to be between the two come the final whistle. Last year Doonbeg had a year to forget in the A grade prompting them to go down a grade while Kilkee didn’t even field a team of their own instead assisting Cooraclare in their quest for A honours. Doonbeg will have Clare U21 corner back Joe Blake leading their charge while youngsters such as James McInerney, Nathan Capon, Eoin Conway and Cathal O’Keeffe will be expected to step up to the plate if they are to get bragging rights. St. Senan’s certainly won’t want to lose this one and with players like Eoin Talty, Darren Owens, Chris Williamson and Conor King they have senior experience while others such as Ronan Browne will need to put in a good shift if the Blues are to advance. It will be closely fought but St. Senan’s should dispose of their old foes.

Verdict: St. Senan’s Kilkee