All Ireland Under 21 Hurling Championship - 2014

Sport
1

http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2705141109-u21-hurling-championships-launched-in-thurles/

U21 hurling stars from across the country lined out to launch the 2014 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship in Thurles today.

The Championship gets started this Wednesday when Dublin face Laois in Parnell Park (7.30pm).

See below for a full list of fixtures

Bord Gáis Energy also revealed its brand new team of ambassadors for 2014. The line-up includes: Colm Galvin and Tony Kelly (Clare), Alan Cadogan (Cork), Jason Forde (Tipperary), Johnny Glynn (Galway), Jack Guiney (Wexford), Dan Morrissey (Limerick), Jake Dillon (Waterford), Kevin Kelly (Kilkenny), and Cian O’Callaghan (Dublin).

TG4 will broadcast nine games over the course of the 2014 Championship and similar to last season, fans can nominate their Man of the Match using the #LaochBGE hashtag during the live match broadcasts.

The Bord Gáis Energy Team of the Year Awards programme is set to return in October following its successful introduction last season. Nominations and winners will be selected by Bord Gáis Energy Sports Ambassador Ger Cunningham, Micheál Ó Domhnaill of TG4 and Galway’s former U-21 All-Ireland winner Joe Canning.

Speaking ahead of the launch Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Liam Ó Néill said: "The onset of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U21 All-Ireland Championship signals the start of summer for many hurling followers and I look forward to the roll out of the competition in conjunction with sponsors Bord Gáis Energy, for the sixth consecutive year.

“It’s a competition that never fails to excite and the regular flow of midweek evening games have become part of the staple sporting diet for so many. I wish Bord Gáis Energy every success with their activity around the games especially with their new microsite and I look forward to seeing more impressive young talent coming to the surface in the weeks ahead on the field of play.”

Sponsorship & Brand Manager at Bord Gáis Energy Irene Gowing commented, “We are proud to sponsor this exceptional competition for the sixth year and are really excited to get the games underway tomorrow night.

“In 2014 Bord Gáis Energy Rewards Club customers will once again have the chance to become part of the action as they get the opportunity to present Man of the Match awards live on TV, carry the Cross of Cashel trophy onto the pitch on All-Ireland final day and win match tickets and VIP trips to the All-Ireland Final and the Team of the Year Awards in October.

“This year we are also introducing a new microsite. [U]www.BGEu21.ie[/U] will be the hub for all things to do with the championship including news, fixtures and latest results. Fans will also be able to see the Bord Gáis Energy Ambassadors’ exclusive video blogs which give a unique insight into the commitment, training and preparation of players at this elite level”.

Ger Cunningham, Sports Ambassador at Bord Gáis Energy added, “The U-21 Championship never fails to deliver in terms of excitement and drama. Who can forget the exceptional moments of last season as Wexford came out on top in Leinster, Antrim shocked us all to reach a first ever All-Ireland final at this level and ultimately Clare rounded off a terrific year for the Banner County by taking home the Cross of Cashel trophy.

“Dublin and Laois get the ball rolling tomorrow night and, as we saw in 2013, anything can happen in this competition. It’s a hugely exciting time for all involved and we wish the players, managers, selectors, back room teams, county boards and supporters every success over the coming months”.

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U21 All-Ireland Championship 2014 - Fixtures

LEINSTER

Quarter-Finals

May 28: Dublin v Laois
June 4: Kilkenny v Wexford
June 4: Westmeath v Carlow
Bye: Offaly

Semi-Finals

June 25: Westmeath/Carlow v Dublin/Laois (Live on TG4)
June 25: Kilkenny/Wexford v Offaly

Final takes place on July 9 (Live on TG4)

**

MUNSTER

Quarter-Final

June 4: Clare v Limerick (Live on TG4)

Semi-Finals

July 16: Clare/Limerick v Tipperary (Live on TG4)
July 17: Cork v Waterford (Live on TG4)

Final takes place on July 30 (Live on TG4)

**

ULSTER

Quarter-Final

July 9: Shield Winners v Armagh

Semi-Finals

July 16: Down v Shield Winners/Armagh
July 16: Derry v Antrim

Final takes place on July 23

ALL-IRELAND SERIES

All-Ireland Semi-Finals

August 23: Galway v Leinster (Live on TG4)
August 23: Munster v Ulster (Live on TG4)

All-Ireland Final

Final takes place on September 13 (Live on TG4)
‘B’ Final takes place on September 13 (Live on TG4)

GAA.ie will provide previews, reports and regular news from the 2014 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship

2

Hard to see anyone coming near Clare Chewy.

3

I realise I said the same 2 years ago, but I fear greatly for Laois tomorrow night. Cheddar has a decision to make re the U21 game and the Galway game Sunday, especially with some many of his panel having gotten game time in the Round Robin over the past number of weeks. Its a shame as Laois have the bones of a decent side at this level.

4

What’s the likely Clare team for tomorrow week @chewy louie ?

Limerick’s preparations have apparently gone well but it would be a fair shock if they managed to beat Clare. Reidy obviously a big loss but cancelled out by Shane O’Donnell’s absence. Clare will be able to cope without him though as they look to have far greater strength in depth than us.

Last time we played Clare in the Gaelic Grounds in u-21 (2010?) Clare had more supporters than us at it. :oops:

5

O’Donnell a far superior player but arguably Reidy is a bigger loss to Limerick than O’Donnell to Clare.

6

There is a lot of competition for places and with any side put out by Moloney/O’Connor they will be well prepared. Alan O’Neill who was centre back last year will be under pressure to keep his place, while Seadna Morey might also have to do with a place at corner back.

Qulligan/Hogan
Morey-Browne-Corry
O’Connell-O’Neill-Cleary
Galvin-Shanahan
Duggan-Kelly-Duggan
Reidy-Cunnigham-Tots

but in saying that O’Brien, Carey or Ryan could start in the corner with Morey going half back and O’Neill dropping out. Shanahan could also drop into either the half back or half forward line and Tony Kelly could be midfield with someone like Shane Gleeson or Shane Taylor coming into the forwards and Tots could play at 11.
Jarleth Colleran will also be there or thereabouts and could even get the third spot in the half backline

7

What I would expect the Cork team to be:

P. Collins

A. Dennehy C. Barry K. Histon

K. Burke C. Murphy C. Spillane

R. O’Shea R. Cahalane

M. Sugrue S. O’Keeffe C. Walsh

A. Spillane A. Cadogan K. O’Keeffe

8

If we get past Limerick, Clare v Tipp in the park has the potential to be a classic this year.

9

[QUOTE=“chewy louie, post: 950544, member: 1137”]There is a lot of competition for places and with any side put out by Moloney/O’Connor they will be well prepared. Alan O’Neill who was centre back last year will be under pressure to keep his place, while Seadna Morey might also have to do with a place at corner back.

Qulligan/Hogan
Morey-Browne-Corry
O’Connell-O’Neill-Cleary
Galvin-Shanahan
Duggan-Kelly-Duggan
Reidy-Cunnigham-Tots

but in saying that O’Brien, Carey or Ryan could start in the corner with Morey going half back and O’Neill dropping out. Shanahan could also drop into either the half back or half forward line and Tony Kelly could be midfield with someone like Shane Gleeson or Shane Taylor coming into the forwards and Tots could play at 11.
Jarleth Colleran will also be there or thereabouts and could even get the third spot in the half backline[/QUOTE]
Not as strong as last two years. Tipperary will take ye out come July.

10

Jokeshop that Galway go straight into the semi when you look at the quality of some of the sides battling it out in the early rounds.

11

Whose fault is that?

12

No idea.

13

The Leinster Council and their constituent counties. When Galway and Antrim were admitted to the Leinster senior championship, the stronger counties saw to it that it would be at senior level only. KK, WX, OY, LS and Dublin didn’t want either county in at minor or U21 level.

14

Limerick is the key game, win that and our next 2 games (assuming wat beat cork ) are in the park

15

I’d doubt it, these lads gave Tipp a serious hole opening in Thurles back three years ago at minor level

Even if Cork beat Waterford they would have to travel to Ennis if we were to meet them in a Munster final. Last time we played them at this grade was 2008 down in Cork

16

[QUOTE=“dodgy-keeper, post: 950537, member: 1552”]What’s the likely Clare team for tomorrow week @chewy louie ?

Last time we played Clare in the Gaelic Grounds in u-21 (2010?) Clare had more supporters than us at it. :oops:[/QUOTE]
In fairness, you’d expect more of a Clare crowd at a game played in Clare*.

*occupied North Bank

17

Tipp won’t beat us in Cusack Park

18

Link?

19

Clares running game would be better suited to Semple Stadium. Tipp are a powerful side who wont be fazed by the intimidation from the savages in the Cusack Park crowd.

20

They seemed pretty fazed by it in 2012, but admittedly our lads did too. There was a huge amount at stake in the game, which we won.