Having a game under their belt will benefit minor hurlers

After Covid 19 restrictions were lifted last week, the Munster Minor Hurling Championship resumes this Saturday with Tipperary facing Waterford while Cork take on Limerick in the semi-finals.

By Liam Hogan

Six weeks ago, Tipperary played their quarter final against Kerry, recording a 0-32 to 0-9 victory in Limerick, in which eleven players scored and Tipperary manager Paul Collins was delighted to have that game in the bag, even though it was so long ago.

“The big advantage of the game is that we went through the whole process of match preparation during Covid 19 with regard to the regulations and everything else,” he said.

“We were happy enough with the performance but there were some aspects we would not be happy with. We came back last Thursday, and we had a good preparation over the last seven days.”

Stephen Ferncombe, Tony Cahill, Jack Leamy and Sean Kenneally were among the scorers against the Kingdom and Collins was happy with the spread of scorers.

“We have a good spread of scorers and not reliant on one player. There is a massive team ethos among the group the guy in the best position gets the ball and it doesn’t matter who gets the scores,” he said.

The head to head between Tipperary and Waterford at minor level is tilted heavily towards Tipperary. The teams have met 42 times, starting with their first clash in 1928 which Waterford won. Tipp lead 27 wins to eleven, and there were four draws. However in the last 16 meetings from 1992 to 2020, the games have been well balanced with Tipp winning eight to Waterford’s seven, with one draw. When the sides met in last year’s round robin campaign, it provided Tipperary’s only win in a disappointing season.

“There is no county in Munster now not putting in good work in,” Collins added.

“Waterford, with Dungarvan Colleges and Daragh Duggan the current Waterford (Minor hurling) manager in charge back then laid the foundation for a lot of their success. They won an All-Ireland minor final from that.

“From that, if you look at the school competitions, the Dean Ryan Cup and anything else there is always Waterford teams, De La Salle, Blackwater College, Waterford is up there with the best of them.”

Collins went on to say that the schools in Tipperary are equally impressive and has been a benefit to minor hurling in the county.

“Our schools have been a great benefit to us in providing players and working well with us. Probably the bones of seven or eight schools are involved with our panel across the boards. We are looking forward to next Saturday and we are confident we can put in a good performance,” he said.

Tipperary Minor Hurling team v Waterford

1. Jason O'Dwyer - Clonoulty-Rossmore

2. Danny Slattery - Clonoulty-Rossmore

3. Robert Doyle - Clonoulty-Rossmore

4. Jamie Duncan - Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams

5. Cathal Quinn - Cashel King Cormacs

6. Michael Corcoran (Capt.) - Silvermines

7. Luke Shanahan - Upperchurch-Drombane

8. Darragh Stakelum - Thurles Sarsfields

9. Peter McGarry - St. Mary's

10. Stephen Ferncombe - Clonoulty-Rossmore

11. Ciaran McCormack - Loughmore-Castleiney

12. Jack Leamy - Golden-Kilfeacle

13. Sean Kenneally - Moneygall

14. Tony Cahill - Drom-Inch

15. Conor McKelvey - Silvermines

Subs:

16. Dylan O' Grady - Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams

17. Joe Caesar - Holycross-Ballycahill

18. Maidhc Fitzpatrick - Drom-Inch

19. David Fogarty - Holycross-Ballycahill

20. Kenny Lee - Roscrea

21. Philly Hayes - Durlas Óg

22. Darragh Minogue - Durlas Óg

23. Eddie Ryan - Borris-Ileigh

24. Pat Ryan - Upperchurch-Drombane