Wednesday March 12th
Munster
Quarter-finals
Kerry v Cork, Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 7.30pm
Waterford v Tipperary, Fraher Field, Dungarvan, 7.30pm
Cork are seeking a third successive Munster U21 title this year but they have to start their campaign in the most difficult fashion with an away tie against Kerry. The Rebels do have six members of last year’s side that were felled in the All-Ireland final by Galway.
Conor Dorman and Brian O’Driscoll’s stock has risen with senior exposure this spring, Ian Maguire impressed at midfield for UCC’s Sigerson Cup winning side and Dan McEoin is a prolific point-scorer. Watch out for wing-back Kevin Crowley as well, he impressed when ushered on as a substitute for the Cork senior side against Dublin recently.
Kerry will be gunning for glory after falling agonisingly short by a point against Cork at this stage last year. Shane Murphy, Padraig Ó Sé, Tadhg Morley, Shaun Keane and Kieran Murphy are all survivors from that game. Attackers Adrian Spillane and Thomas Hickey both picked up Sigerson Cup medals as well with UCC recently.
Elsewhere Tipperary will be heavily favoured to win in their trip to Dungarvan to take on Waterford. They boast a team packed with 2011 All-Ireland minor winners with senior panellists Michael Quinlivan, Stephen O’Brien and Ian Fahey key components of their unit.
Connacht
Quarter-final
Mayo v Roscommon, Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, 7.30pm
Two counties that have carved up the last three provincial minor titles will clash in this opener in Castlebar on Wednesday night. Mayo have the benefit of last year’s All-Ireland minor winners graduating to U21 level with Stephen Coen and Diarmuid O’Connor both players of huge potential.
Adam Gallagher, Evan Regan and Conor O’Shea ensure they pack a strong punch up front. On home soil Mayo will be favourites but will be wary of a Roscommon team that has nine members of last year’s Connacht U21 final side still eligible. John McManus, Conor Daly, Fintan Kelly along with Enda and Donal Smith are particularly influential.
Leinster
Quarter-final replay
Meath v Louth, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 7.30pm
Round two for these two sides after they drew in a thrilling game that went to extra-time in Dundalk last week. Meath have players that have developed a decent reputation in Padraic Harnan, Conor Sheridan, Eamonn Wallace and Bryan McMahon.
Last week Wallace and McMahon fired 1-10 between them last week with Louth hoping to curb their threats. Louth’s star man was definitely Ryan Burns with the corner-forward striking 2-6 in that draw while Cian Doyle notched 1-2 for the Wee County.
Ulster
Preliminary Round
Derry v Cavan, Celtic Park, 8pm
Cavan have dominated this grade in Ulster in recent years, winning the last three titles. Their latest batch draws heavily on the provincial minor winning team from 2011.
Captain and centre-back Conor Moynagh is a key player while Gerry Smith is another talented figure to watch out for. Killian Clarke and Dara McVeety both started for the Cavan seniors in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Kerry while Michael Argue came on as a substitute in that game.
