Seniors named to start for U20’s against Clare

GAA: oneills.com Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Round 3 Preview

CLARE v TIPPERARY

O'Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

Wednesday, 16th April

Throw-in @ 7.00pm

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick)

By Stephen Barry & Shane Brophy

Brendan Cummins has labelled Tipperary’s trip to Clare this evening (Wednesday) as must-win in their attempt to book their place in the knockout stage of the Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship.

The Premier sit third at the halfway stage, the final guaranteed sport for a semi-final, and while it’s too early for permutations, the Tipp manager knows they must keep collecting points.

“We have to win above in Sixmilebridge now, it’s as simple as that,” said the former All-Star goalkeeper.

“The draw the between Cork and Clare means they could both end up on five points. If we lose another one, we end up on four, which puts us in a bit of bother.

“We're not going to focus on anything on the maths side of it other than Sixmilebridge, giving lads an opportunity in the next couple of weeks to put their hand up, and if they do, they get an opportunity to play.”

Much of the build-up to the game surrounds the availability of the five senior panellists, particularly Darragh McCarthy and Sam O’Farrell, who will be in line to start for the Tipperary seniors in their Munster Championship opener against Limerick next Sunday.

Both have been named to start as part of an unchanged team from the win over Cork two weeks ago. However, it remains to be seen if they will line-out come throw-in as if they don’t, it makes an already difficult task much harder without their skipper and forward talisman.

However, it would force others to stand-up and take on lead roles, and in the forwards there is quality in the likes of Paddy McCormack and senior duo Conor Martin and Oisin O’Donoghue, while Jamie Ormond would be a like for like replacement for McCarthy, a classy finisher.

Tipperary face a strong Clare side, many of whom won All-Ireland minor medals in 2023 and so far have drawn at home to Cork but followed it up with a good away win over Waterford. James Hegarty at centre back and Fred Hegarty in the forwards are their key men while Jack O’Neill has impressed for the seniors in the National League.

Tipperary Under 20 Hurling team v Clare: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla-D Kickhams); Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross/Ballycahill), Aaron O’Halloran (Carrick Swan), Podge O’Dwyer (Killenaule); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Jim Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill), Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Eire Og, Capt); Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris), Adam Daly (Knockavilla-D Kickhams); Cathal English (Fr Sheehy’s), Conor Martin (Cappawhite), David Costigan (Moycarkey/Borris); Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh).

Subs: Daire English (Fr Sheehy’s), Senan Butler (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch), Jack Hayes (Moycarkey/Borris), Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens), Chris O’Donnell (Ballylooby/Castlegrace), Paddy Phelan (Upperchurch/Drombane), David Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill)