A WEDNESDAY NIGHT in March and it wasn’t just the Champions League that was in the sporting spotlight.
It was a huge night in the EirGrid U21 football championship with nine games down for decision across Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
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Results
Connacht U21FC semi-final
Roscommon 6-18 Sligo 0-12
Munster U21FC semi-finals
Cork 1-12 Kerry 1-9
Tipperary 0-15 Clare 0-7
Leinster U21FC semi-finals
Dublin 2-15 Longford 3-7
Kildare 2-15 Meath 0-13
Ulster U21FC quarter-finals
Monaghan 0-15 Derry 1-8
Tyrone 0-17 Fermanagh 0-7
Donegal 1-7 Cavan 0-9
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Welcome along on what’s quite a busy night of U21 football action. Here’s what’s in store.
Eirgrid U21 Football Championship
Connacht semi-final
Roscommon v Sligo, Kiltoom, 7.30pm
Leinster semi-finals
Longford v Dublin, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 7.30pm
Meath v Kildare, O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 7.30pm
Munster semi-finals
Cork v Kerry, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 7.30pm
Ulster quarter-finals
Tyrone v Fermanagh, Healy Park, Omagh, 8pm
Armagh v Antrim, Athletic Grounds, 8pm
Donegal v Cavan, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, 8pm
Monaghan v Derry, Inniskeen, 8pm
Tyrone v Fermanagh, Healy Park, Omagh, 8pm
Armagh v Antrim, Athletic Grounds, 8pm
Donegal v Cavan, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, 8pm
Monaghan v Derry, Inniskeen, 8pm
We’ll be focusing in particular on tonight’s showdown between Cork and Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn along with the two Leinster semi-final ties in Portlaoise and Navan.
Some team news:
It’s Meath against Kildare in Portlaoise.
MEATH
1. Jack Hannigan (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
2. Michael Flood (St. Brigid’s)
3. Gavin Mc Gowan (Ratoath)
4. Liam Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille)
5. Shane Dowling (St. Patrick’s)
6. Brian Power (Ratoath)
7. Shane McEntee (C) (St. Peters Dunboyne)
8. Adam Flanagan (Clonard)
9. Harry Rooney (Skryne)
10. Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey)
11. Rúairí Ó Coileain (Navan O Mahony’s)
12. Conor Rooney (Ratoath)
13. Joseph Wallace (Ratoath)
14. Paddy Kennelly (Dunderry)
15. Eamon Wallace (Ratoath)
KILDARE
1. Colin Heeney (Celbridge)
2. Brian Byrne (Naas)
3. Darren Maguire (Maynooth)
4. Paul Mescal (Maynooth)
5. Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield)
6. Pascal Connell (Athy)
7. David Hyland (Athy)
8. Ryan Moore (Moorefield)
9. David Fitzpatrick (Raheens)
10. Chris Fenner (St Laurence’s)
11. Mark Sherry (Two Mile House)
12. Niall Kelly (Athy)
13. Neil Flynn (Maynooth)
14. Declan Flaherty (St Kevin’s)
15. Cein McMonagle (Clogherinkoe)
That means Cork have made four changes with Michael McSweeney, Brian O’Driscoll, Kevin Davis and Dan O’Callaghan all starting from the side that beat Limerick last week.
Cork
1. Micheál Martin (Nemo Rangers)
2. Michael Mc Sweeney (Newcestown)
3. Jamie Davis (Douglas)
4. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
5. Tomas O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
6. Sean White (Clonakilty)
7. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
8. Alan O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
9. Darragh Murphy (Valley Rovers)
10. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) Capt.
11. Kevin Davis (O’Donovan Rossa)
12. Dan O’Callaghan (Clyda Rovers)
13. Cathal Vaughan (Iveleary)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
15. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
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Kerry boss Darragh Ó Sé has named six players from last year’s All-Ireland minor winning team in the county’s side for the match against Cork.
Goalkeeper Shane Ryan, corner-backs Cormac Coffey and Brian Ó Beaglaoich, midfielder Barry O’Sullivan, wing-forward Micheal Burns and corner-forward Matthew O’Flaherty all started in the minor final triumph over Donegal last September.
Kerry
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2. Cormac Coffey (Kerins O’Rahillys)
3. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe)
4. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
5. Ronan Murphy (Beaufort)
6. Denis Daly (St Mary’s)
7. Cathal Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht)
8. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
9. Barry O’Sullivan (Dingle)
10. Brian Crowley (Templenoe)
11. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. Micheal Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. Matthew Flaherty (Dingle)
14. Dara Roche (Glenflesk)
15. Conor Keane (Killarney Legion)
The Tipperary U21 side that faces Clare tonight features five of the starting line up that defeated Louth in the Allianz Football League last Sunday.
Also included in the starting XV are John McGrath and Bill Maher from the Senior Hurling panel.
Tipperary
1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
2. Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials)
3. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)
4. Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan)
5. Colin O’Riordan Capt. (JK Brackens)
6. Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers)
7. Bill Maher (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
8. Liam Casey (Cahir)
9. Steven O’Brien (Ballina)
10. Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch Drombane)
11. Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials)
12. Jason Lonergan (Clonmel Commercials)
13. Paul Maher (Kilsheelan Kilcash)
14. John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
15. Josh Keane (Golden Kilfeacle)
Action is under way in tonight’s U21 matches.
Tipperary 0-1 Clare 0-0
Tipperary edge into an early lead in Thurles.
Tipperary 0-2 Clare 0-0
Tipperary double their lead in Thurles.
Roscommon 0-1 Sligo 0-0
Diarmuid Murtagh kicks last year’s All-Ireland finalists into the lead in Kiltoom.
Tipperary 0-3 Clare 0-0
Tipperary stretch their lead, still no sign of a score in the other semi-final in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Goal for Longford against Dublin!
Cork 0-1 Kerry 0-0
Cathal Vaughan points a free as Cork edge in front.
Roscommon 1-1 Sligo 0-0
Enda Smith goal for Roscommon.
Cork 0-2 Kerry 0-0
Cork double their lead through Peter Kelleher.
Roscommon 2-1 Sligo 0-0
A second goal for Roscommon courtesy of Enda Smith again.
Cork 1-2 Kerry 0-0
Sean O’Donoghue hits the net for Cork!
Roscommon 2-2 Sligo 0-0
Murtagh with Roscommon’s latest point.
Cork 1-2 Kerry 0-0
Cork have started brightly.
Tipperary 0-3 Clare 0-0
Tipperary in control early on.
Kildare 0-2 Meath 0-1
Chris Healy edges Kildare in front.
Longford 1-1 Dublin 1-0
Goal for Dublin from Killian O’Gara.
Cork 1-2 Kerry 0-1
Jack Savage opens Kerry’s account as he points a free.
Black card for Kerry’s Jack Savage, that’s a big setback as the Kerins O’Rahilly’s man is a key figure for the Kingdom.
Greg Horan from the Austin Stacks club is in for Kerry.
Roscommon 3-4 Sligo 0-1
The home side are rampant. Paul Kenny fires home from a penalty after Murtagh is fouled.
Tipperary 0-4 Clare 0-1
Liam Casey pushes Tipp ahead by three points.
Longford 2-1 Dublin 1-1
Liam Connerton with Longford’s second goal of the night!
Kildare 0-3 Meath 0-2
Neil Flynn edges Kildare ahead by one.
Cork 1-2 Kerry 1-1
Kerry goal from Conor Keane! An opportunistic strike.
Tipperary 0-5 Clare 0-2
Keelan Sexton points a free for Clare and the Banner nearly grabbed a goal before that when Martin O’Leary smashed a shot off the bar.
Roscommon 4-6 Sligo 0-4
Game over in Kiltoom? Looks that way as Enda Smith bags his third goal of the night.
Longford 2-2 Dublin 1-4
Narrow lead for Longford at the moment.
Dublin 2-4 Longford 2-2
Second goal of the night for Dublin, this time from Colm Basquel.
Kildare 0-5 Meath 0-2
Kildare go three points clear.
Cork 1-2 Kerry 1-2
Keane brings Kerry level with a point.
Dublin 2-5 Longford 2-3
Killian O’Gara edges Dublin two points in front.
Tipperary 0-6 Clare 0-3
Ian Fahey with Tipp’s latest point.
Cork 1-3 Kerry 1-2
Cathal Vaughan knocks over a free after Peter Kelleher was fouled.
Roscommon 5-8 Sligo 0-4
Five goals now for Roscommon! Diarmuid Murtagh with the latest.
Half-Time: Cork 1-4 Kerry 1-2
Half-Time: Tipperary 0-7 Clare 0-4
Kildare 0-8 Meath 0-5
Niall Kelly pushes Kildare ahead by three.
Half-Time: Dublin 2-5 Longford 2-4
Half-Time: Kildare 0-9 Meath 0-5
Tyrone 0-2 Fermanagh 0-0
Eoin McManus has hit the post with a penalty for Fermanagh.
The jersey update from tonight’s games.
Cork 1-4 Kerry 1-4
Conor Keane points two frees early in the second-half and Cork’s lead has been wiped out.
Ulster U21 football latest:
(All these games started at 8pm)
Monaghan 0-4 Derry 0-3
Donegal 0-3 Cavan 0-1
Tyrone 0-5 Fermanagh 0-2
Tipperary 0-7 Clare 0-5
Jamie Malone points and Clare are only two adrift now.
Longford 3-4 Dublin 2-5
Connerton nets again, Longford ahead by two.
Roscommon 6-11 Sligo 0-5
That’s six now for Roscommon! Murtagh again.
Kerry 1-5 Cork 1-5
Keane puts Kerry ahead for the first time tonight but Cork bounce back with O’Donoghue on target.
Tipperary 0-8 Clare 0-5
Jason Lonergan points and Tipp go three clear.
Cork shake things up with the younger brother of senior player Brian coming on.
Donegal 0-5 Cavan 0-1
Ciaran Thompson with his third and Donegal’s fifth point of the evening.
Kerry 1-6 Cork 1-6
Brian Crowley of Kerry and Sean White of Cork swap points.
Tipperary 0-10 Clare 0-5
John McGrath and Jason Lonergan stretch Tipperary’s advantage.
Cork 1-7 Kerry 1-7
Conor Keane and Peter Kelleher trade points.
Ulster U21FC latest:
Tyrone 0-8 Fermanagh 0-2
Derry 1-5 Monaghan 0-7
Donegal 0-5 Cavan 0-1
Kildare 1-9 Meath 0-7
Neil Flynn goal for Kildare.
Tipperary 0-11 Clare 0-6
Great Bill Maher point and Tipperary sail five points clear.
Cork 1-8 Kerry 1-8
Conor Keane swings over a free and Kerry draw level.
Ulster U21FC
Tyrone gone 0-9 to 0-2 clear of Fermanagh at the break.
Cork 1-9 Kerry 1-8
Sean White puts Cork back in front.
Dublin 2-9 Longford 3-6
All square in Navan.
Cork 1-10 Kerry 1-8
Conor Horgan pushes Cork two clear.
Tipperary 0-11 Clare 0-7
Keelan Sexton points to cut the deficit Clare face to four.
Dublin 2-10 Longford 3-7
Aaron Byrne points for Dublin.
Dublin 2-11 Longford 3-7
Eric Lowndes edges Dublin in front.
Tipperary 0-12 Clare 0-7
Jason Lonergan points and Tipperary have now gone five clear.
Ulster U21FC
Derry in front 1-5 to 0-7 at half-time against Monaghan but Derry have been reduced to 14 players for the second-half.
Kildare 1-13 Meath 0-11
Five point lead for the Lilywhites.
Cork 1-10 Kerry 1-9
Conor Keane knocks over a free and Kerry cut the gap to one.
Tipperary 0-13 Clare 0-7
Jason Lonergan on the mark again and Tipperary move six clear.
https://twitter.com/Darransull86/status/578292000753078273
Dublin 2-13 Longford 3-7
Three points lead for the Dubs.
Tipperary 0-14 Clare 0-7
It looks like Tipperary are en route to a Munster final, Steven O’Brien with their latest point.
Cork 1-11 Kerry 1-9
Cork go two clear thanks to Brian O’Driscoll.
Cork 1-12 Kerry 1-9
Brilliant point by Michael Hurley for Cork.
Full-Time: Cork 1-12 Kerry 1-9
Full-Time: Roscommon 6-18 Sligo 0-12
Full-Time: Tipperary 0-15 Clare 0-7
Cork to face Tipperary in Munster U21 final for the third year-in-a-row.
Full-Time: Dublin 2-15 Longford 3-7
Full-Time: Kildare 2-15 Meath 0-13
Kildare and Dublin will contest the Leinster U21 football final on 2 April.
No action in Armagh tonight.
Ulster U21FC latest
Tyrone 0-12 Fermanagh 0-5
Cavan 0-5 Donegal 0-5
Ulster U21FC latest
Ryan McHugh puts Donegal 0-7 to 0-6 ahead of Cavan.
Ulster U21FC latest
Tyrone ahead of Fermanagh by 0-17 to 0-7.
Full-Time: Monaghan 0-15 Derry 1-8
Full-Time: Tyrone 0-17 Fermanagh 0-7
Ulster U21FC latest
Ryan McHugh goal for Donegal! They lead Cavan 1-7 to 0-9.
Full-Time: Donegal 1-7 Cavan 0-9
That’s all from us tonight, thanks for joining in for our U21 football coverage.
