1. Cork and Tipperary demonstrate their attacking power
Cork and Tipperary set the tone in their quarter-final ties last week. Cork chalked up 0-18 in Tralee, Tipperary went marginally better with 0-19 in Dungarvan.
Last night provided further demonstrations of attacking power with Cork taking Limerick for 3-15 and Tipperary putting 2-22 on Clare. Between them they have amassed 5-74 in their two games to date, proof of the serious attacking threat they carry.
Dan MacEoin (1-10), Alan Cadogan (1-9) and Mark Sugrue (1-6) have shone for Cork with Greg Henry (1-10), Michael Quinlivan (0-8) and Liam McGrath (1-3) to the fore for Tipperary. When the two sides collide on April 9th, it is a game that is rich in attacking potential.
2. Limerick and Clare underage woes continue
Neither Limerick or Clare were fancied before their games last night and suffered when coming up against superior opponents as they succumbed to heavy defeats. Limerick were away to a Cork team buoyed by last week’s win over Kerry and lost out by 16 points. Clare may have started brightly but a Tipperary side packed with All-Ireland minor medallists took control and ended up with 19 points to spare.
The defeats continued a pattern of struggles for the two counties at underage level. Since 2009, both counties have played eight Munster U21 football games and only won two of those. In both cases Limerick and Clare’s victories came against each other.
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Given the pair have only claimed one Munster U21 title – Limerick in 2000 – between them and neither has featured in a provincial minor final since 1998, the U21 struggles are understandable. But it’s still a pattern that needs addressing and Tipperary’s recent emergence is a model to emulate.
3. Meath cope without Eamon Wallace
When Eamon Wallace went off early in last week’s quarter-final replay against Louth with a season-ending cruciate injury, Meath’s U21 aspirations looked to have been severely damaged. But they coped without their star man to get past Louth in Navan before repeating the trick last night against Offaly in Parnell Park.
They were greatly assisted by his direct replacement Seamus Mattimoe stepping into the breach. The Gaeil Colmcille forward struck 0-5 against Louth when coming on for Wallace before chipping in with 0-7 against Offaly. He’s linked up well with Bryan McMahon and Joey Wallace to ensure Meath pack a punch up front.
Meath's Eamonn Wallace. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
4. No mistakes from Dublin this time
Dublin entered last year’s Leinster U21 quarter-final tie against Longford as raging-hot favourites with the star-studded team in their possession. But they fell to a shock 1-6 to 1-5 defeat and that result would have been fresh in the minds of the survivors from that team along with manager Dessie Farrell.
They were wasteful on occasions last night but still good value for their 3-7 to 0-6 success. They may have had no Ciaran Kilkenny but with senior figures like David Byrne, Jack McCaffrey, Shane Carthy, Eric Lowndes, Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion, Dublin’s team should have plenty ambition. They made no mistake last night and can now train their sights on provincial silverware.
Paul Mannion celebrates scoring a goal for Dublin. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
5. Cavan and Tyrone’s underage fortunes have changed
Last night’s clash at Kingspan Breffni Park ended up in a decisive win for Cavan. They took their time to get going but as is frequently the case these days, Cavan found a way to win. By the final whistle they were celebrating a eleventh successive Ulster U21 victory and are two games away from completing four-in-a-row in the province.
In contrast Tyrone’s fortunes have gone in the opposite direction. Between 2000 and 2006, they were the U21 masters as they collected five Ulster titles. Since then they have not triumphed in the grade, the 2008 and 2010 All-Ireland minor winning sides failing to prosper at U21 level. It’s Cavan who have frequently proved their nemesis as well, last night’s victory following on from the final successes in 2011 and 2012.
Dara McVitty of Cavan and Frank Burns of Tyrone. Barry Chambers / INPHO
Barry Chambers / INPHO / INPHO
6. Patrick McBrearty gives Donegal a fighting chance
Having a player of the calibre of Patrick McBrearty available is a major boost. The Kilcar player already has an All-Ireland senior medal to his name and that level of experience is a major asset to the Donegal U21 side.
He illustrated his capabilities last night as he ransacked the Fermanagh rearguard for 1-7 to help Donegal ease to a 13-point win in their Ulster opener. They’ll sit back now to see who emerges from the Armagh and Antrim replay, and will feel confident with McBrearty as the focal point of their attack.
6 talking points from last night's GAA U21 football action
1. Cork and Tipperary demonstrate their attacking power
Cork and Tipperary set the tone in their quarter-final ties last week. Cork chalked up 0-18 in Tralee, Tipperary went marginally better with 0-19 in Dungarvan.
Last night provided further demonstrations of attacking power with Cork taking Limerick for 3-15 and Tipperary putting 2-22 on Clare. Between them they have amassed 5-74 in their two games to date, proof of the serious attacking threat they carry.
Dan MacEoin (1-10), Alan Cadogan (1-9) and Mark Sugrue (1-6) have shone for Cork with Greg Henry (1-10), Michael Quinlivan (0-8) and Liam McGrath (1-3) to the fore for Tipperary. When the two sides collide on April 9th, it is a game that is rich in attacking potential.
2. Limerick and Clare underage woes continue
Neither Limerick or Clare were fancied before their games last night and suffered when coming up against superior opponents as they succumbed to heavy defeats. Limerick were away to a Cork team buoyed by last week’s win over Kerry and lost out by 16 points. Clare may have started brightly but a Tipperary side packed with All-Ireland minor medallists took control and ended up with 19 points to spare.
The defeats continued a pattern of struggles for the two counties at underage level. Since 2009, both counties have played eight Munster U21 football games and only won two of those. In both cases Limerick and Clare’s victories came against each other.
Given the pair have only claimed one Munster U21 title – Limerick in 2000 – between them and neither has featured in a provincial minor final since 1998, the U21 struggles are understandable. But it’s still a pattern that needs addressing and Tipperary’s recent emergence is a model to emulate.
3. Meath cope without Eamon Wallace
When Eamon Wallace went off early in last week’s quarter-final replay against Louth with a season-ending cruciate injury, Meath’s U21 aspirations looked to have been severely damaged. But they coped without their star man to get past Louth in Navan before repeating the trick last night against Offaly in Parnell Park.
They were greatly assisted by his direct replacement Seamus Mattimoe stepping into the breach. The Gaeil Colmcille forward struck 0-5 against Louth when coming on for Wallace before chipping in with 0-7 against Offaly. He’s linked up well with Bryan McMahon and Joey Wallace to ensure Meath pack a punch up front.
4. No mistakes from Dublin this time
Dublin entered last year’s Leinster U21 quarter-final tie against Longford as raging-hot favourites with the star-studded team in their possession. But they fell to a shock 1-6 to 1-5 defeat and that result would have been fresh in the minds of the survivors from that team along with manager Dessie Farrell.
They were wasteful on occasions last night but still good value for their 3-7 to 0-6 success. They may have had no Ciaran Kilkenny but with senior figures like David Byrne, Jack McCaffrey, Shane Carthy, Eric Lowndes, Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion, Dublin’s team should have plenty ambition. They made no mistake last night and can now train their sights on provincial silverware.
5. Cavan and Tyrone’s underage fortunes have changed
Last night’s clash at Kingspan Breffni Park ended up in a decisive win for Cavan. They took their time to get going but as is frequently the case these days, Cavan found a way to win. By the final whistle they were celebrating a eleventh successive Ulster U21 victory and are two games away from completing four-in-a-row in the province.
In contrast Tyrone’s fortunes have gone in the opposite direction. Between 2000 and 2006, they were the U21 masters as they collected five Ulster titles. Since then they have not triumphed in the grade, the 2008 and 2010 All-Ireland minor winning sides failing to prosper at U21 level. It’s Cavan who have frequently proved their nemesis as well, last night’s victory following on from the final successes in 2011 and 2012.
6. Patrick McBrearty gives Donegal a fighting chance
Having a player of the calibre of Patrick McBrearty available is a major boost. The Kilcar player already has an All-Ireland senior medal to his name and that level of experience is a major asset to the Donegal U21 side.
He illustrated his capabilities last night as he ransacked the Fermanagh rearguard for 1-7 to help Donegal ease to a 13-point win in their Ulster opener. They’ll sit back now to see who emerges from the Armagh and Antrim replay, and will feel confident with McBrearty as the focal point of their attack.
Dublin atone for 2013 loss to Longford as they reach Leinster U21 final
Champions Cavan set to face neighbours Monaghan in Ulster U21 semi-final
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Comment Gaelic Football Cavan Cork Donegal Dublin Meath Tipperary U21