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Hurling

hurling

BGE GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-21 Championship down to last four

Eoghan

Eoghan

Just four teams remain in contention to be crowned Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-21 champions for 2016 and representatives from those counties came face to face in Dublin today.

Leinster champions Dublin play Galway in Saturday’s (August 20) semi-finals at 6pm while Ulster champions Antrim and Munster champions Waterford go head-to-head in the other last four pairing at 4pm.

Both games take place at Semple Stadium in Thurles and will be broadcast live on TG4.

Ryan McCambridge (Antrim), Stephen Bennett (Waterford), Eoghan O’Donnell (Dublin) and Conor Whelan (Galway) took time out of their training schedules to discuss their chances of making the final. All four have their sights set on progressing to the September 10  decider, as they look to follow in Limerick’s footsteps in being crowned champions.

Saturday’s first game sees Antrim and Waterford square off. Antrim came through the Ulster championship with wins against Down in the semi-final and Derry, by four points, in the final.  Waterford saw off Clare in their provincial semi-final while Tipperary were defeated at Walsh Park in the Munster showpiece.

Galway make their bow in the championship in Saturday’s second game. They are up against Dublin who lifted the Leinster title earlier this summer.  They overcame three-in-a-row Leinster champions Wexford in their quarter final before following that up with wins over Westmeath and Offaly to claim provincial honours.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming semi-finals Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “It’s down to the business end of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-21 Championship and I’m looking forward to two excellent semi-finals in Thurles on Saturday. Dublin, Waterford and Antrim have been very impressive so far and I’m also looking forward to seeing how Galway perform in their first outing this season competitively.

"We’ve seen the impact some of these players have had on both the U-21 championship and the senior championship and it’s fair to say some of hurling’s super-stars are now operating at the U-21 grade every season.

“Best of luck to all involved in what should be two hugely entertaining games and a special word of thanks to Bord Gáis Energy for their support and promotion of a very important competition for the GAA.”

Ger Cunningham Sports Ambassador at Bord Gáis Energy added: “Saturday promises to be another exciting chapter in this season’s Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-21 Championship. It all comes down to these two games to see who will make it through to the final on September 10.

“The performances of the three teams we’ve seen so far this summer have been outstanding as they progressed through their respective provincial championships. Each will need their biggest performance to date if a spot in the decider is to be achieved.

“Galway are, as ever at this grade and this stage of the competition, somewhat of an unknown quantity, but with players such as Bord Gáis Energy Ambassador Conor Whelan on their side they are sure to be very dangerous opposition for Dublin.”

Bord Gáis Energy will help fans to enjoy their match-day experience even more at Saturday’s games. Keep an eye out for the Bord Gáis Energy Family Fun-Zone at Semple Stadium with a DJ to entertain the crowds, face-painters for kids and flag and wrist-band give-aways. Fans are encouraged to get to the venue earlier and enjoy the carnival atmosphere on the Dome side of the venue.

Once again viewers on TG4 will also be able to get closer to the action.  They can interact and vote for their choice for Man of the Match with the use of the #LaochBGE hashtag.