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 1st 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.
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