Preview: U21 Football Clare vs Tipperary

Clare travel to Tipperary this evening full of confidence following their facile win over Waterford in the Munster U21 Quarter-Final but they’re aware the challenge of Tipperary will be far greater.

 

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Tipperary vs Clare on 18//03/15 at 19:30 in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Having won the minor grade three years ago, Tipperary will be aiming to do the same at U21 level and to go one step further than they did last year when going down by four points to the Rebel County.

That winning experience will be crucial for Tommy Toomey’s Tipp side when they to the field. Unfortunately, Clare cannot boast such honours when it comes to the big ball as they’re the only County in Munster that have yet to get their hands on the Corn na Cásca. The lack of success in the Clare panel may possibly be the difference when the final sounds; it may drive this bunch on to achieve or their lack of inexperience may prove too costly.

It is Tipperary’s first outing of this year’s campaign but lack of game-time is not an issue for Toomey and his management as they have included four players from the Tipperary Senior side that defeated Louth at the weekend. Captain Colin O’Riordan, Liam Casey, Steven O’Brien and Ian Fahey are all down to start.

Éire Óg’s Dara Walsh is unavailable for selection in the Banner camp having picked up an injury in the Waterford match. Walsh operated at midfield for Clare the last day out and Miltown’s Conor Cleary may be given the nod to line out in his absence. Apart from that, it is expected Joint Managers Neil Hawes and Michael O’Shea will continue with the majority of last week’s starting team. Kilfenora’s Micheál Duffy is still ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Both John McGrath and Bill Maher have been selected to play at full-forward and wing-back, the pair are also part of Eamon O’Shea’s Senior Hurling panel. McGrath played eleven minutes for the Premier County in their weekend win over Kilkenny having recovered from an ankle injury picked up against Clare in the round previous.

Hawes and O’Shea have a young panel to choose from with seven of last year’s minor panel featuring in Miltown last week. However with Jamie Malone, Keelan Sexton, Martin O’Leary, Jack O’Dea and Darren Nagle all members of Colm Collins’ Senior panel, Clare are able to call on players training to a very high standard.

Past meetings between the sides have went in favour of Tipperary, with the most recent encounter being the 2-22 to 0-09 win in last year’s U21 semi-final. Six Tipperary players remain from that win, namely James Feehan, Bill Maher, Steven O’Brien, Colin O’Riordan, John McGrath and Ian Fahey. For the Banner the quintet of Conor Brennan, Liam Corry, Jack O’Dea, Jamie Malone and Martin O’Leary will be aiming to have a better showing this time round.

Tipp rightly wear the favourites tag for this one and while Clare will put it up to their opponents, home advantage will be a huge asset as was the case for Clare versus Waterford. Clare have the potential to cause an upset provided Jamie Malone, Keelan Sexton, Martin O’Leary, Jack O’Dea, Darren Nagle and Conor Brennan are firing on all cylinders. Should Tipp hit form, they should seal the win but they will need John McGrath, Colin O’Riordan, Bill Maher, Evan Comerford, Liam Casey and Steven O’Brien at their best.

Clare FM will have live commentary of the semi-final clash with Derrick Lynch and Joe Garry in the commentary box from 19:20, brought to you in association with Westlink Cars, Tuam Road, Galway.