IT’S A BIG night in the provincial U21 football championships with eight games on around the country.
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Results
Munster U21FC: Tipperary 2-22 Clare 0-9; Cork 3-15 Limerick 0-8.
Leinster U21FC: Meath 2-16 Offaly 1-10; Dublin 3-7 Longford 0-6.
Ulster U21FC: Donegal 3-10 Fermanagh 0-6; Monaghan 1-12 Down 2-7; Cavan 1-11 Tyrone 0-6; Armagh 1-20 Antrim 3-14.
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Welcome along to a big night of action in the provincial U21 football championships. We’ll be keeping track of all the games in Munster, Leinster and Ulster.
Right, let’s check what’s in store with semi-finals in Munster and Leinster while there’s quarter-finals in Ulster.
- Munster U21FC: Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm.
- Munster U21FC: Clare v Tipperary, Miltown Malbay, 7.30pm.
- Leinster U21FC: Dublin v Longford, O’Moore Park, 7.30pm.
- Leinster U21FC: Meath v Offaly, Parnell Park, 7.30pm.
- Ulster U21FC: Donegal v Fermanagh, Ballybofey, 8pm.
- Ulster U21FC: Cavan v Tyrone, Kingspan Breffni Park, 8pm.
- Ulster U21FC: Armagh v Antrim, Athletic Grounds, 8pm.
- Ulster U21FC: Monaghan v Down, Inniskeen, 8pm.
Munster
Cork and Tipperary are both strong favorites to win their semi-final ties tonight. You can get Cork at 1/100 to defeat Limerick and follow up their victory over Kerry last week in Tralee. Cork corner-forwards Dan McEoin and Alan Cadogan hit 0-10 between in that game.
Tipperary are away to Clare after they triumphed in their trip to Dungarvan last week when they faced Waterford. Both Cork and Tipperary are aiming to reach a fifth provincial U21 decider in seven years.
Here’s the Clare and Tipperary teams that start tonight:
TIPPERARY: Gearoid Slattery (Cashel King Cormacs); Niall O’Sullivan (Moycarkey Borris), James Feehan (Killenaule), Conor O’Sullivan (Galtee Rovers); Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers), Seamus Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Bill Maher (Kilsheelan Kilcash); Steven O’Brien (Ballina), Colin O’Riordan (JK Brackens); John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), Greg Henry (Killenaule); Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials), Sean Flynn (Fr Sheehys).
And here’s the Cork and Limerick teams that start in Páirc Uí Rinn:
CORK: Micheál Martin (Nemo Rangers); Jamie Davis (Douglas), Conor Dorman (Bishopstown), Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers); Kevin Fulignati (Nemo Rangers), Seán White (Clonakilty), Kieran Histon (Cobh); Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig), Ian Maguire (St. Finbarr’s); Mark Sugrue (Bandon), Cian O’Sullivan (Clyda Rovers), Sean Kiely (Ballincollig); Dan MacEoin (Ilen Rovers), David Harrington (Adrigole), Alan Cadogan (Douglas).
LIMERICK: James O’Mara (Fr Caseys); Alan Finnegan (Na Piarsiagh), Kevin Brosnan (Monagea), Ryan Meagher (St Patricks); Tony McCarthy (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Kieran Larkin (Banogue), Stephen Cahill (Mountcollins); Gearoid Hegarthy (St Patricks), Sean O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen); Mike Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Danny Neville (Askeaton-Ballysteen), Ryan Glynn (Bruff); Kevin Moore (Glin), Jason Mullins (St Patricks), Sean McSweeney (St Kierans).
Leinster
No Ciaran Kilkenny in the Dublin side but they will still be favored to overturn Longford tonight in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Last year Longford did cause a major surprise when knocking out Dublin in this competition. Dessie Farrell’s side will tread warily tonight.
DUBLIN: Lorcan Molloy; Ross McGowan, David Byrne, Robbie McDaid; Eric Lowndes, Johnny Small, Jack McCaffrey; Paddy O’Higgins, Stephen Cunningham; Conor Mulally, Shane Carthy, Niall Walsh; Conor McHugh, Michael Deegan, Cormac Costello.
In Parnell Park, Meath take on Offaly. It’s 2001 since Meath were last in a Leinster U21 final while Offaly last contested a provincial U21 decider in 2007.
The big game in Ulster sees the reigning champions Cavan – who have won the last three titles and defeated Derry in last week’s preliminary round tie – entertain Tyrone in Kingspan Breffni Park.
We’ll be focusing on the action in Munster and Leinster first with all four semi-finals there starting at 7.30pm.
We’re underway in tonight’s matches. Some early scores:
Dublin 0-1 Longford 0-0
Cork 0-2 Limerick 0-0
Clare 0-1 Tipperary 0-1
Clare 0-2 Tipperary 0-1: 5 mins – Niall Hickey points a free to edge Clare in front.
Dublin 0-2 Longford 0-0: 5 mins – Eric Lowndes comes forward from wing-back to increase Dublin’s lead.
Cork 0-3 Limerick 0-0: 6 mins – Bright start by Cork as Alan Cadogan sends them into a three-point lead.
Clare 0-2 Tipperary 0-2: 8 mins – All square now in Miltown Malbay. Colin O’Riordan notches another point for Tipperary.
Offaly 0-2 Meath 0-0: 5 mins – Offaly race into an early lead.
GOAL! Dublin 1-2 Longford 0-0: 8 mins – Paul Mannion hits the net, major boost for Dublin.
GOAL! Cork 1-3 Limerick 0-1: 9 mins – Mark Sugrue bags the net to put Cork in a strong position in Páirc Uí Rinn.
GOAL! Dublin 2-2 Longford 0-0: 10 mins – There’s only ten minutes gone but Paul Mannion already has two goals for Dublin.
Offaly 0-2 Meath 0-1: 10 mins – So it’s looking good already for Dublin but it’s a tighter affair in Parnell Park with Offaly narrowly in front against Meath.
GOAL! Cork 2-3 Limerick 0-3: 14 mins – Well, he caught the eye last Wednesday night with his point-taking and now Alan Cadogan has raised a green flag for the Cork U21′s. Their second goal of the night and they’re six clear in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Tipperary 0-4 Clare 0-4: 18 mins – Delicately poised so far in the other semi-final. Clare giving favorites Tipperary plenty to think about so far.
Offaly 0-3 Meath 0-3: 16 mins – The Royals, who are operating without cruciate victim Eamonn Wallace tonight remember, have drawn level at Parnell Park.
GOAL! Cork 3-3 Limerick 0-4: 19 mins – Dan McEoin ensures Cork have found the net three times with not even a third of the match elapsed.
Tipperary 0-6 Clare 0-5: 23 mins – Points by Stephen O’Brien and Greg Henry help Tipperary creep into the lead against Clare.
Dublin 2-4 Longford 0-1: 23 mins – It’s still not even half-time in Portlaoise but with a nine-point advantage Dublin will be optimistic that they’re not going to lose for a second year in a row to Longford in this grade.
Cork 3-7 Limerick 0-4: 25 mins – Cork building up a really commanding advantage on home soil.
Tipperary 0-8 Clare 0-5: 27 mins – Bit of daylight between the teams now as Michael Quinlivan points for Tipperary.
Offaly 0-6 Meath 0-6: 25 mins – Joey Wallace and Bryan McMahon point to help Meath draw level.
Half-Time: Tipperary 0-9 Clare 0-5
Dublin 2-4 Longford 0-4: 31 mins – Bit of a fightback by Longford, Barry McKeon notches their latest point.
Half-Time: Cork 3-7 Limerick 0-6
Half-Time: Offaly 1-6 Meath 0-8: Goal on the stroke of half-time by Luke Kelly puts Offaly in front.
Half-Time: Dublin 2-4 Longford 0-4: Paul Mannion’s brace of goals separates the teams.
The action has begun in Ulster with the quarter-finals all just under way.
We’re just hearing there’s a 15 minute delay to throw-in between Cavan and Tyrone in Kingspan Breffni Park.
Fermanagh 0-2 Donegal 0-0: Bright start from Fermanagh courtesy of Eddie Courtney.
GOAL! Monaghan 1-3 Down 1-1: 10 mins – Lightning start in Inniskeen with Fergal McMahon finding the net for Monaghan after Michael Hughes had grabbed a goal for Down.
Back underway in tonight’s Munster and Leinster U21 football semi-finals.
Tipperary 0-11 Clare 0-6: 34 mins – Michael Quinlivan with an early brace of points for Tipperary, Niall Hickey responds with a point for Clare.
GOAL! Down 2-2 Monaghan 1-4: 16 mins – Second goal of the night for Down, this time from Ryan Johnston. Monaghan’s problems compounded with defender Ryan Wylie receiving a black card.
Dublin 2-5 Longford 0-4: 32 mins – Early second-half point for Dublin from Cormac Costello.
Cork 3-9 Limerick 0-6: 35 mins – Cork stretch their advantage to 12 points.
Fermanagh 0-5 Donegal 0-2: Eddie Courtney extends Fermanagh’s lead despite Patrick McBrearty keeping Donegal in touch.
Offaly 1-8 Meath 0-11: 36 mins – All square and all to play for in Parnell Park.
Dublin 2-6 Longford 0-4: 36 mins – Conor McHugh extends Dublin’s lead.
Tipperary 0-12 Clare 0-8: 40 mins – Clare were coming back into it with Martin O’Leary on target but Colin O’Riordan has stretched Tipperary’s lead once more.
Meath 0-13 Offaly 1-8: 40 mins – Meath make a decisive break.
Cork 3-12 Limerick 0-7: 41 mins – Dan McEoin stretches Cork’s lead.
Fermanagh 0-5 Donegal 0-3: McBrearty narrows the gap for Donegal.
Tyrone 0-2 Cavan 0-1: 11 mins – Michael Argue gets Cavan off the mark.
Monaghan 1-7 Down 2-2: 27 mins – Thomas Kerr points a free for Monaghan.
GOAL! Tipperary 1-13 Clare 0-8: 44 mins – Greg Henry grabs a vital goal for Tipperary. They look to be in a strong position now.
GOAL! Donegal 1-3 Fermanagh 0-5: 29 mins – Willie Gillespie with a goal for Donegal.
GOAL! Meath 1-13 Offaly 1-8: 43 mins – Bryan McMahon finds the net for Meath.
GOAL! Antrim 1-2 Armagh 0-2: Ronan McGrady fires to the net for Antrim at the Athletic Grounds.
Tipperary 1-16 Clare 0-8: 45 mins – Tipperary in full control now as John McGrath grabs two points while Liam McGrath adds one.
GOAL! Donegal 2-4 Fermanagh 0-5: Ciaran Brennan hits the second goal of the night for Donegal.
Dublin 2-6 Longford 0-6: 46 mins – Still six points separating the sides in Portlaoise.
Half-Time: Monaghan 1-8 Down 2-2
Meath 1-13 Offaly 1-8: 48 mins – Meath looking good in Parnell Park.
Cork 3-13 Limerick 0-7: 49 mins – John Corkery with Cork’s latest point.
Cavan 0-2 Tyrone 0-2: 19 mins – Dara McVeety ties the game with a point for Cavan.
Looking like a Cork v Tipperary meeting in the Munster U21 football final with both sides well in control of their semi-final ties.
Meath 1-15 Offaly 1-9: 54 mins – Meath are closing in on a Leinster final place.
Tipperary 1-22 Clare 0-9: 56 mins – It’s been far too easy for Tipperary in the second-half in Miltown Malbay.
Dublin 2-7 Longford 0-6: 53 mins – Cormac Costello on the mark with another point for Dublin.
Tyrone 0-3 Cavan 0-2: 24 mins – Frank Burns edges Tyrone back in front.
Cork 3-14 Limerick 0-8: 58 mins – Cork still on track for four-in-a-row in the Munster U21 football championship. They’re set for a final on April 9th.
GOAL! Dublin 3-7 Longford 0-6: 55 mins – Emmet O’Conghaile bags Dublin’s third goal and their passage to the final should be secured.
Full-Time: Cork 3-15 Limerick 0-8: A 16 point win for Cork.
Full-Time: Meath 2-16 Offaly 1-10: Second goal for Meath from Barry Dardis.
Full-Time: Tipperary 2-22 Clare 0-9
Second year in a row that Cork will face Tipperary in Munster U21 final. Páirc Uí Rinn will be the venue on April 9th.
Half-Time: Armagh 0-5 Antrim 1-2: All square so far at the Athletic Grounds.
Full-Time: Dublin 3-7 Longford 0-6
Cavan 0-3 Tyrone 0-3: 30 mins – Kevin Boucher ties the teams with a point for Cavan.
Donegal 2-6 Fermanagh 0-5: Paddy McBrearty impressing early in the second-half for Donegal.
Monaghan 1-10 Down 2-3: Monaghan four points to the good early in the second-half.
Donegal 2-8 Fermanagh 0-6: 46 mins – Donegal in control entering the final quarter in Ballybofey.
Monaghan 1-10 Down 2-5: Down have cut the gap in Inniskeen.
Cavan 0-5 Tyrone 0-4: 40 mins – The reigning champions have edged ahead in Kingspan Breffni Park.
GOAL! Cavan 1-6 Tyrone 0-4: 45 mins – Big moment as Joe Dillon finds the net for Cavan.
Donegal 3-10 Fermanagh 0-6: Donegal in control in Ballybofey.
Result: Monaghan 1-12 Down 2-7
Result: Donegal 3-10 Fermanagh 0-6
Cavan 1-8 Tyrone 0-4: 55 mins – Cavan go seven points clear with Dara McVeety pointing.
Armagh 1-14 Antrim 2-8: Three point lead for Armagh entering the closing stages.
Armagh 1-14 Antrim 3-8: Late goal from Owen Gallagher for Antrim and extra-time beckons.
Full-Time: Cavan 1-11 Tyrone 0-6
Armagh and Antrim has gone to extra-time at the Athletic Grounds.
Armagh 1-16 Antrim 3-8: 66 mins – Early extra time points by Ethan Rafferty and Jemar Hall for Armagh.
Armagh 1-20 Antrim 3-8: Armagh are six points clear at the midway mark of extra-time.
Result: Armagh 1-20 Antrim 3-14: It’s finished all square after extra-time at the Athletic Grounds. They’ll have to go to a replay.
Thanks for joining us this evening.
