WITH THE ALL-IRELAND U21HC final taking place between Kilkenny and Clare in Thurles this Saturday, here are some of our favourite past U21 finals, starting with the last time the two aforementioned sides met on the big occasion.
2009 Final – Clare v Kilkenny
Surely one of the most closely fought and exciting finals ever, with a suitably dramatic finale to boot, as Clare ultimately won their first-ever All-Ireland U21 Hurling title. In contrast, it was particularly heartbreaking for Kilkenny, given that they had already lost the intermediate and minor finals that same year.
Galway triumphed with a comfortable 3-14 to 1-10 victory against Dublin last year, consequently meaning that the young Dubs could not replicate the success of their senior footballing counterparts, meaning their long wait for an U21 title continues.
In 2010, Tipperary defeated Galway in what was one of the most one-sided finals ever, by a score of 5-22 to 0-12. It completed an outstanding year for Tipperary hurling, with the senior team having won the All-Ireland the previous week.
Galway beat Offaly 2-17 to 1-09, meaning they became All-Ireland u21 champions for the fifth time in the competition’s history. Offaly, meanwhile, were forced to endure their second loss in the final within the space of three years, and have yet to win the title to this day.
Waterford ended up winning this epic encounter 0-12 to 2-03, with the sides having drawn the initial match. It was the first and only time Waterford have claimed the title to this day, while the frustration continued for Offaly, having lost a third final in four years.
VIDEO: Here are some of our favourite All-Ireland Hurling U21 Final memories
WITH THE ALL-IRELAND U21HC final taking place between Kilkenny and Clare in Thurles this Saturday, here are some of our favourite past U21 finals, starting with the last time the two aforementioned sides met on the big occasion.
2009 Final – Clare v Kilkenny
Surely one of the most closely fought and exciting finals ever, with a suitably dramatic finale to boot, as Clare ultimately won their first-ever All-Ireland U21 Hurling title. In contrast, it was particularly heartbreaking for Kilkenny, given that they had already lost the intermediate and minor finals that same year.
YouTube credit: rph1981
YouTube credit: rph1981
YouTube credit: rph1981
Every Clare goal – 2009
YouTube credit: HurlingGoals
2011 – Galway v Dublin
Galway triumphed with a comfortable 3-14 to 1-10 victory against Dublin last year, consequently meaning that the young Dubs could not replicate the success of their senior footballing counterparts, meaning their long wait for an U21 title continues.
YouTube credit: tallowmanirish
YouTube credit: tallowmanirish
2010 Final – Tipperary v Galway
In 2010, Tipperary defeated Galway in what was one of the most one-sided finals ever, by a score of 5-22 to 0-12. It completed an outstanding year for Tipperary hurling, with the senior team having won the All-Ireland the previous week.
YouTube credit: tallowmanirish
1991 Final – Galway v Offaly
Galway beat Offaly 2-17 to 1-09, meaning they became All-Ireland u21 champions for the fifth time in the competition’s history. Offaly, meanwhile, were forced to endure their second loss in the final within the space of three years, and have yet to win the title to this day.
YouTube credit: jcloonan1
YouTube credit: jcloonan1
1992 Final – Waterford v Offaly
Waterford ended up winning this epic encounter 0-12 to 2-03, with the sides having drawn the initial match. It was the first and only time Waterford have claimed the title to this day, while the frustration continued for Offaly, having lost a third final in four years.
YouTube credit: tallowmanirish
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