Now that the dust has settled (has it?) on Limerick’s epic win at the weekend, attention turns towards the final hurling game of the inter-county season, the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 final.
Cork take on Tipperary in the first ever all-Munster final, and both teams will be chomping at the bit to take home the James Nowlan cup.
The importance of winning at this level cannot be understated, especially following Limerick’s historic win at the weekend, as the Treaty county won this tournament last year.
As well as this, Waterford claimed victory in this grade in 2016, and backed that up with an All-Ireland senior final in 2017.
Least we forget Clare’s run of three titles in a row was sandwiched between a senior triumph in 2013. So history tells us that success at U21 level can definitely feed into future success in the senior grade.
The competing counties haven’t had the rich success at U21 level that one would expect from two of the “big three” teams.
Tipperary’s last victory came in 2010, when they claimed victory just one week after the seniors had denied Kilkenny a monumental five in a row. Back then, the narrative was that Tipperary’s 21s, home of Paudie, Bonner and Brendan Maher, Bubbles, Mickey Cahill and Noel McGrath – would dominate for years – that didn’t come to prosper but they’ve made some hurlers all the same.
Before that, you have to go all the way back to 1995.
Cork’s last victory was 20 years ago when they claimed their second U21 All-Ireland in a row. If you cast you’re memory back to then you will remember that the Rebels went on to claim a senior title in 1999, proving success at this level is key.
How do these current sides match up with each other? Who are the stars on show this weekend? Who will come out on top?
These are the key questions we need to ask ahead of the big game on Sunday.
Cork are the hot-favourite’s going into this game having won the Munster title earlier this year, thrashing Tipperary in the final by 13 points.
The Rebel men are most definitely the form team, and have a host of senior stars on show that will give them great confidence going into the decider.
As mentioned earlier, Tipperary enter game as underdogs given their defeat to Cork earlier in the year. However, a number of the Tipperary team collected All-Ireland minor medals only two years ago, so they have tasted success.
Anything can happen on final day, and what a lift it would be for the Premier county given the dour season they have had to date.
Cork’s key men
Darragh Fitzgibbon
The young Charleville man has collected two Munster medals in his first two season with the Rebel’s senior side. His performances this year where electric en route to an All-Ireland semi final. Fitzgibbon looks nailed on for an All-Star and could win Young Hurler of the Year.
In what is his third year at this grade he will be looking to add an All-Ireland U21 to cap what would be an unbelievable year.
Mark Coleman
Coleman is already an All-Star at 20 years of age and has been setting the world alight since arriving on the scene. He made is championship debut for Cork senior’s in 2016 as a sprightly 18 year old before announcing himself as a regular at wing-back the following season.
Mark Coleman wonder point for Cork pic.twitter.com/1BQbshRvSR
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 2, 2018
Has been occupying the centre-back slot for the Rebels throughout this U21 campaign, scoring three points against Tipperary in that Munster final win. If Cork are to win this weekend they will need the Blarney man firing on all cylinders, luckily for them, he seems to be a man for the big occasion.
Shane Kingston
Cork’s talisman is also playing on this U21 side for the third year in a row, and will have been happy to collect a Munster title earlier this season when he scored 0-4 from play against this Tipperary side.
Another player who made his senior debut as an 18-year-old, the former dual star has collected two senior Munster medals in his first few seasons.
We’re sure a win this weekend will eclipse all that has gone before the youngster as he is set to turn 21 on the day of the final. To captain an All-Ireland winning team on your birthday is something that would motivate any man.
Tipperary’s key men
Ger Browne
An All-Ireland minor medallist in 2016, Browne made his breakthrough onto Tipperary’s senior side this season. Operating at corner-forward the youngster wasn’t in his best position and the ball never ran for him.
However, the 2018 season has been one to forget for Tipperary in general, no blame for that can be put on any of these young men.
Browne has been playing further out the field for the 21’s this season, lining out at midfield, the same position he played on that winning minor team. He will be key if Tipp are to overcome the odds this weekend.
Jake Morris
Many people are comparing the young Nenagh man to one Lar Corbett given his left-handed hurling, his bright yellow helmet and indeed his knack for scoring goals.
Jake Morris nets a brilliant goal for @TipperaryGAA pic.twitter.com/eh4eCipKhu
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 8, 2018
Morris made his senior debut this year, coming off the bench three times for Tipp in their failed championship run. Ironically the one score he got was the equalising point against Cork in the dramatic 2-20 to 1-23 draw at Semple Stadium back in May.
Brian McGrath
If Tipperary are stop a dominate Cork side from claiming victory this weekend they will need to cut out their potent attack and Brian McGrath will be the man tasked with that job.
The Loughmore-Castleiney club man comes from great hurling stock. Noel and John are his older brothers, which may indicate why he is such a good full-back, having to marshal those two in the back garden over the years could not have been easy.
McGrath also captained Tipperary to that minor success in 2016, as well as inspiring Our Lady’s Templemore to Harty Cup glory in 2017, so he is definitely a man for the big occasion.
Who will win?
All the sign’s point towards a Cork victory here, they are sporting a host of regulars from the senior side that have won back-to-back Munster titles. As well as that those players will have the big game experience, which includes those two agonising All-Ireland semi-final defeats in 2017 & 2018.
Tipperary on the other hand have come in slightly under the radar, the caused a huge stir knocking out reigning champions Limerick in the Munster semi-final, before succumbing to a heavy defeat to Cork in the final. A win over a fancied Galway side in the last four shows that they can rise to the occasion, especially as underdogs.
The advantage this Tipp side have over their Rebel counterparts is that they boast a large number of All-Ireland winners from their minor campaign two years ago.
Despite Cork’s senior success over the past two seasons, none of these guys have picked up any All-Irelands and that could sway the game in Tipperary’s favour.
Time will tell. For now all roads lead to the Gaelic Grounds at 5.30 on Sunday.
Throw in time for the final has been changed to accommodate Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland this weekend. No doubt he will be blessing these young lads ahead of the game.
