1. The dramatic finale at another Munster U21 hurling final in Ennis
We scarcely need to recount the events of the 2008 decider in this grade with that Clare puckout, that Tipperary ’65 and all the recriminations that ensued afterwards. What that game did supply was huge drama and there was another similarly spellbinding finale last night Cathal McInerney smuggled the ball to Niall Arthur who decisively struck home the winning goal.
Clare’s hunger was evident in those closing stages as they overcame a performance that had been laced with imperfections to chisel out a success. There was great relief for the home support in the crowd of 8,379 and this result should put the ghosts of 2008 to rest. For the Clare match-winner Niall Arthur it was a sweet moment to strike that goal as his brother Ger had been part of that luckless team four years ago.
2. The Grand Slam of Munster titles eludes Tipperary
And so the Grand Slam of Munster hurling crowns in 2012 eludes Tipperary. They came desperately close to following up the senior and minor double that they claimed in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on July 15th and the intermediate crown that was collected in Nenagh on July 25th, with an U21 title last night in Ennis. Until the dying moments they were on course to emulate Cork’s achievement of a clean provincial sweep in 2005.
But silverware eluded them when Arthur fired home that late goal. It will be of scant consolation that Tipperary progressed further than many had expected at the start of the year as they were 8-1 to win the Munster U21 championship at the outset. Tipperary overcame a really tough draw this year in winning away games against Cork and Limerick. An unfancied side were extremely well-organised and if they had held out last night, it would have been a Munster title to truly savour.
3. The displays of Tony Kelly and John O’Dwyer
On a night when several young prospects on both teams were unable to stamp their authority on the game, two players rose above those struggles to dominate the encounter. Clare’s Tony Kelly is just fresh out of minor and embarking on his U21 career while John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer played his last game as a Tipperary U21 hurler last night.
Both players dazzled with their hurling, demonstrating superb skill in lofting over points from play, a glacial nerve in nailing frees and generally supplying the leadership when their sides needed it most. Kelly has already made the jump to senior hurling this year and he justified that status by stepping forward to land 0-7 last night. In a game where Clare’s shooting was frequently atrocious, the Ballyea clubman thrived and kept his side in contention while also taking over the freetaking duties in style as the tie progressed.
O’Dwyer has not yet ascended to the senior stage but clearly looks on the cusp of doing so. In 2010 he was amongst a galaxy of stars as Tipperary won the All-Ireland title but still chipped in with 1-3 in that year’s U21 decider. Last night he was the main man in firing 1-7 and nearly provided the match-winning scores. Kelly left with the man-of-match award and his team claimed silverware, O’Dwyer left with regrets but both departed with praise showered upon them and futures that carry huge promise.
4. The state Clare’s All-Ireland aspirations are now in
Victory last night was always going to be a huge boost to the winner’s hopes of landing the All-Ireland title, not least because the draw sees the Munster champions face their Ulster counterparts in an All-Ireland semi-final on August 25th, that they will be expected to win. The patchy nature of Clare’s display will probably douse the hype surrounding a team that Banner supporters had invested huge expectations in. Yet it was a pressurised situation playing at home and despite the faults in their hurling, Clare showed great commitment and hunger to stay in the hunt and take the spoils.
There are others who will entertain thoughts of All-Ireland glory though. Galway may not have played a game yet this year but they are exceptionally strong. From the senior side that started in the Leinster final win over Kilkenny last month, Johnny Coen, Niall Burke and Conor Cooney are all eligible for the U21 grade as are the four substitutes that they brought on in that game – Johnny Glynn, James Regan, Tadgh Haran and Joseph Cooney. Throw in goalkeeper Fergal Flannery, defenders Brian Flaherty and Padraig Brehony, attackers Richie Cummins and Shane Moloney, and the fact that senior boss Anthony Cunningham remains in charge of the U21′s this year, and the Tribesmen will be a serious proposition.
Their collision with Kilkenny on August 25th will be fascinating. The Cats stormed through Leinster, have a canny operator at the helm in Richie Mulrooney with strong defenders in Willie Phelan and Richie Doyle, and a plethora of lethal attackers like Kevin Kelly, Cillian Buckley, John Power and Ger Aylward. The winners of that semi-final tie will enter the decider in a buoyant mood but Clare, who should be too strong for Antrim, are not out of the reckoning either. They have scope for improvement after last night’s game, they will hope for a more accurate attacking showing, they could have Kilmaley’s Daire Keane back fit and they showed last night through the contributions of Cathal McInerney and Niall Arthur, that their bench is strong.
Clare’s Niall Arthur celebrates his match-winning goal. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
5. The overall effect for Clare hurling
The 90′s may have been the golden era for Clare senior hurling but the last few years have brought unparalleled success for the county at minor and U21 level. Last night’s triumph means that since July 2009 they have won two Munster U21 titles, two Munster minor crowns and an All-Ireland U21 title. That wave of success breeds huge confidence.
Players like Conor McGrath and Patrick O’Connor last night won their second provincial U21 title last night. Seadna Morey, Tony Kelly, Cathal O’Connell and Aaron Cunningham have now played and triumphed in two Munster minor finals and an U21 decider.For a county attempting to make a breakthrough at senior level, discovering the winning habit in the underage ranks is of immeasurable value. Clare now have players coming through who know how to be successful.
On a wider scale, it is hugely beneficial that in the wake of their All-Ireland senior championship exit in mid July, a bulk of Davy Fitzgerald’s squad have stayed working together for the rest of the summer at U21 level. The county is benefiting from the close links in their inter-county hurling system with Paul Kinnerk dovetailing as trainer to the senior and U21 teams while joint managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney also presided over the Clare intermediate squad this year. Challenging at senior level is a tough task but they are going about their business in a promising and commendable fashion.
