Teams named for Galway-Limerick minor hurling semi-final

Kenneth Burke's side target decider with Tipp or Cork

WITH a brief hiatus in the Liam MacCarthy Cup race following last weekend's provincial finals, hurling aficionados can get their fix this weekend with a pair of intriguing All-Ireland Minor (U-17) Championship last four ties.

Both are down for decision on Saturday afternoon with Galway's clash with Limerick in Cusack Park, Ennis (throw-in: 5pm) following the earlier clash of Cork and Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (2pm).

Galway's 15th and most recent All-Ireland at the grade came in 2020 and they're targeting a 36th decider appearance. From Galway's 26-man Leinster senior title winning panel in Croke Park last weekend, Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee and Colm Molloy were all involved in that U-17 victory six years ago.

Opponents Limerick have contested eight minor finals in their history, but you have to rewind to the GAA's centenary year of 1984 to find the last of their three victories. Their last showpiece appearances came in 2014 and '16, teams that fell short of landing an All-Ireland but produced players of the calibre of current senior captain Cian Lynch, Barry Nash, Seán Finn, Kyle Hayes, Peter Casey, Tom Morrissey and Séamus Flanagan.

Galway come in on the back of a terrific five-match unbeaten run through Leinster that started with round-robin wins over Laois (1-23 to 1-19) and Kilkenny (0-22 to 3-11) before a draw against Dublin (1-21 to 2-15). Wexford were thumped at the semi-final stage (6-21 to 3-12) before a performance of true grit and character followed in turning over the Cats in a thrilling provincial decider that required extra-time (3-20 to 3-19).

Cillian Power (Tommy Larkins) found the net with his first touch after coming on at the break, but the Noresiders steadied and were full value for their 12-point lead midway through the second half. Boosted by goals from Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh (Sarsfields) and Anthony Poniard (Athenry), Kenneth Burke's side rallied with an unbroken run of 2-6 rounded off by free-taker Michael Coen (Clarinbridge) showing nerves of steel to level under the most intense pressure in the dying seconds.

Galway were up the challenge in 20 minutes of overtime with a brace of points from sub Daithí Dillon (Kilnadeema-Leitrim) and Coen's 11th of the contest proving crucial, allied to some heroic defending. Without question, it was one of Galway's greatest underage wins.

In addition to those mentioned, captain Gus Lohan (Oranmore-Maree), 'keeper Mark Walsh (Carnmore), Dillon O'Shaughnessy (Turloughmore), Cathal Donoghue (Clarinbridge), Ultan Leen (Craughwell) and Eoghan McClearn (Loughrea) played prominent roles amongst others.

Managed by Diarmuid Mullins, Limerick's results in the Munster round-robin were up and down as each of their provincial wins were followed by a defeat. They faced Waterford (lost 1-17 to 1-14), Clare (won 2-12 to 0-12), Tipperary (lost 0-16 to 2-13) and Cork (won 2-21 to 0-18) before the top two qualified for the final under the format.

There they succumbed to the unbeaten Premier for a second time (0-18 to 3-16) and were re-routed to the All-Ireland quarter-final stage when they lowered the Banner once again (2-16 to 0-13). Goals from captain Shane Waters and Rian Horgan proved crucial.

Come throw-in, Galway will be 26 days out of action compared to Limerick's 13. After four trips to Portlaoise and one to Dublin, Ennis as close as it gets to a home match for Galway under the current championship structure with a relatively short hop down the M18. At stake is an All-Ireland final date with Tipperary or Cork at the end of the month.

Galway: Mark Walsh (Carnmore); Jack Cahill (Craughwell), Dillon O’Shaughnessy (Turloughmore), Ethan Whyte (Craughwell); Cathal Donoghue (Clarinbridge), Conor Lynskey (Liam Mellows), Ultan Leen (Craughwell); Gus Lohan (captain, Oranmore-Maree), Jamie Egan (Oranmore-Maree); Eoghan McClearn (Loughrea), Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh (Sarsfields), Tom McAdam (Carnmore); Michael Coen (Clarinbridge), Cathal Larkin (Killimor), Anthony Poniard (Athenry). Subs: Oran Stratford (Sarsfields), Conor O’Neill (Sarsfields), Joey McMahon (Athenry), Eli Huban (Kinvara), Daithí Linnane (Gort), Ultan O’Connor (Ardrahan), Cillian Power (Tommy Larkins), Dáithí Dillon (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), Kayn Boyle (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), Culann Leen (Craughwell), Hiúdaí Mulkerrins (St. Thomas’).

Limerick: Sam Collins (Crecora-Manister); Rowan Collins (Adare), William Ryan (Murroe-Boher), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); John O’Riordan (Bruff), Conor Ryan (Monaleen), Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell); Xavier Nelligan (Kilmallock), Jack Roche (Blackrock); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), Shane Waters (captain, Na Piarsaigh); Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare), Zach Bennis (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Rian Horgan (Murroe-Boher).