Minor Hurling heroes set to go again
GAA: Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Preview
By Shane Brophy
TIPPERARY v WATERFORD
FBD Semple Stadium
Friday, 28th March
Throw-in @ 7.00pm
Referee: Kieran Guina (Limerick)
The Tipperary minor hurlers begin the defence of their Munster and All-Ireland titles this Friday evening when they host Waterford in the first round in Thurles.
The All-Ireland final victory over Kilkenny last July is one that will last long in the memory considering the nature of the extra time win in Kilkenny’s own backyard, despite playing with thirteen men for the vast majority of the game.
Manager James Woodlock is entering his fifth campaign in charge with a record of two Munster and All Ireland finals in 2022 and 2024, but his first and third years were of the disappointing variety and the Drom & Inch clubman will hoping to avoid another down year following a successful one.
He and his management will be helped by having ten players that are eligible from last years campaign, including player of the year Euan Murray who will captain the team while All-Ireland Croke Cup final man of the match with Thurles CBS Kieran Rossiter set to play a key role in midfield having been hampered by injury in the last campaign.
The remarkable aspect of the 35 player panel named last month was the fact they come from 31 different clubs, not far short of half the clubs in the county having some representation, if you include the clubs of the management team made up, once again, of coach Cormac McGrath (Ballinahinch) and selectors Conor O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Brendan Ferris (Marlfield) and Ray Doyle (JK Brackens).
Roscrea’s Aaron O’Donoghue looks set to miss out on the early stages after sustaining an ankle injury in Colaiste Phobal Ros Cre’s All-Ireland schools semi-final at the start of the month.
The minor championship will be played on Friday’s this year with Tipperary travelling to Clare in round 2 on April 4th before hosting Limerick in Thurles in round 3 on April 18th. They have a bye in round 4 before finishing away to Cork on May 2nd with the top two teams progressing to the final which is fixed for May 16th.