Preview: Munster MHC - Tipperary v Clare
Preview: Munster MHC - Tipperary v Clare
Preview: Munster MHC - Tipperary v Clare
Thursday, June 25
Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 7.30pm
This fixture was originally due to take place on Wednesday evening, but it was moved to Thursday after the death of Tipperary hurling legend Jimmy Doyle, whose removal will take place this evening from 4pm to 8pm in the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre.
Having played in four All-Ireland minor finals for Tipperary - an achievement of remarkable distinction - Doyle is perhaps the greatest Tipperary minor hurler in history, and no doubt this year's selection will be eager to pay tribute to the Thurles Sarsfields man with victory this evening.
Tipperary, managed by Liam Cahill, advanced to the semi-final way back on April 8, defeating Waterford 1-14 to 0-16 in a tight encounter at Semple Stadium.
Tipperary didn't play particularly well that evening. They scored just 1-3 from open play, and were heavily reliant on the excellence from placed balls of Daragh Carey and Brian McGrath, who contributed 0-11 between them.
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Jack Skehan (Holycross-Ballycahill), Darragh Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers) and Alan Tynan (Roscrea) all remain from last year's Tipperary minor team, but it remains to be seen if this year's selection can triumph in Munster, something only achieved once by Tipperary since 2007, when they also won their last All-Ireland minor title.
Cahill has made three changes to his starting side from the win over Waterford. Garry Ryan (Borrisokane), Tommy Nolan (Drom/Inch) and Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens) come into the side, with Shane Neville, Ruadhan Mulrooney and Ross Peters the three to miss out.
Clare are the only one of the Munster sides not to have played in this year's championship yet, having been given a bye through to the semi-final.
They are managed by Clarecastle clubman Kenny Morrissey, who is in his first year in charge of the side. Last year, a strong Clare side competed well in the championship, losing narrowly to then All-Ireland champions Waterford in the quarter-final, before impressive wins over Kerry and Tipperary were followed by a one-point defeat to the Déise in the Munster semi-final.
Morrissey can call upon many players from last year's panel, with Jason Loughnane, Darren Chaplin, Aron Shanagher, Mikey O'Shea, Jason McCarthy, Colm Fitzgerald and Conor O'Halloran all still involved.
Of that crop, Wolfe Tones na Sionna teen Aron Shanagher is the dangerman. He was absolutely outstanding in last year's campaign, hitting a remarkable tally of 6-28 in four matches, 5-6 of which came from open play. Much will be expected of him tonight.
"All the lads have stood up in the games I've been to which has been very pleasing that our training has been coming through and the work we've done with them you can see it in club level and I'd say a lot of club officials would agree that any of the lads training with county minors, that they're a different class," Morrissey told the Clare Herald ahead of the game.
The winners will face Cork or Limerick in the Munster final on July 12 in Thurles. Cork and Limerick meet in the second semi-final next week.
TIPPERARY: Pádraic Hayes (Ballingarry); Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty Rossmore), Emmet Moloney (Drom and Inch), James Quigley (Kildangan); Jack Skehan (Holycross Ballycahill), Brian McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Daragh Peters (Kilruane McDonaghs); Daragh Carey (Templederry Kenyons), Alan Tynan (Roscrea); Liam McCutcheon (Templederry Kenyons), Stephen Quirke ( Moyle Rovers), Garry Ryan (Borrisokane); Tommy Nolan (Drom and Inch), David Gleeson (Ballinahinch), Lyndon Fairbrother (J.K. Brackens).
CLARE: Jason Loughnane(Sixmilebridge); Declan Power (Smith O'Briens), Sean Phelan (Broadford), Ronan Monahan (Tubber); Darren Chaplin (Broadford), Nathan Fox (Parteen), Cathal Noonan (Killanena); Colm Fitzgerald (Sixmilebridge), Jack Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna); Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna), Mikey O'Shea (Smith O'Briens), Jason McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona); Páraic O'Loughlin (Clonlara), Martin Daly (Feakle), Conor O'Halloran (Éire Óg).
Preview: Arthur Sullivan
