CLARE TAKE ON Wexford tonight in the All-Ireland U21 hurling final in Semple Stadium at 7pm.
It’s a competition that has thrown up a number of classic encounters in the past six years.
We’ve looked at seven of the most memorable encounters:
2011 Munster final, Limerick 4-20 Cork 1-27 (aet)
Limerick grasped the provincial trophy for a sixth time after a stunning extra-time win over Cork. In typical Limerick fashion, the victory sparked joyous scenes of celebration at the final whistle.
Aidan Walsh brought the game to extra time (1-20 to 3-14) with a 62nd minute equalising point, but Limerick’s goal eventually threat saw them through in a titanic clash.
2010 Munster final, Tipperary 1-22 Clare 1-17
In a campaign where they would claim both the All-Ireland senior and U21 titles, Tipperary sealed the Munster title with a pulsating victory over reigning champions Clare in Semple Stadium.
Clare fired into an early 1-3 to 0-0 lead but Tipp, inspired by Padraic Maher, were level by the 21st minute and led by three at half-time, 1-12 to 1-9. Tipp moved five in front early in the second-half but Clare fought back to within in three points on a couple of occasions, before a storming finish by Paul Murphy sealed the win.
2013 Leinster final, Wexford 1-21 Kilkenny 0-21 (aet)
2009 All-Ireland semi-final, Clare 3-23 Galway 5-15 (aet)
A game that will forever be remembered for how Joe Canning racked up a stunning personal tally of 4-7 and still ended up on the losing side. Galway lead by 2-7 to 0-9 at the interval and, after a bumpy ride in the second period, went into the final few minutes of normal time still ahead before Clare’s Conor Tierney slotted a late equaliser.
Clare effectively secured the win three minutes into extra-time when they posted 1-2, with Darach Honan providing the goal.
2009 All-Ireland final, Clare 0-15 Kilkenny 0-14
Far less high scoring than their previous game, Clare claimed their first ever All-Ireland U21 hurling title with a single point victory over the Cats.
The Banner were on the ropes heading into the final quarter when Kilkenny stretched two points in front. But Clare dug deep and outscored Kilkenny by 0-5 to 0-2 in the closing stages, with John Conlon nailing a couple of fine points to secure his county’s first piece of silerware in 12 years.
2012 All-Ireland final, Clare 2-17 Kilkenny 2-11
Clare’s second every U21 All-Ireland arrived just three years after their first, courtesy of a six point win over Kilkenny. The Banner moved into a six point lead early on thanks to Cathal O’Connell’s goal but Kilkenny responded in the form of goals form John Power (penalty) and Ger Aylward to lead by 2-7 to 1-7 at half-time.
Conor McGrath fired home a second Clare goal and O’Connell brought his personal tally to 1-6 as the Banner romped home to victory.
Finally, last month Wexford saw off Galway in an action packed semi-final at Semple Stadium. Jack Guiney hit 1-8 as the Slaneysiders avenged their defeat to Antrim at this stage of the competition last year.
Tribesman Padraig Brehony had 1-5 to his name by half-time as his side led by the minimum, 1-14 to 1-13. With five minutes remaining there was nothing separating the sides but Wexford finished the strongest and finally broke Galway’s resistance through late scores from Gareth Moore and Guiney.
