1. Cork’s injury situation improves at vital time
Tomorrow is likely to be Cork’s biggest test of their Munster U21 campaign to date considering the sparkling form that Tipperary have been in. It’s timely then for manager Sean Hayes that their injury situation has cleared up.
They’re still missing Cathal Vaughan, an attacker who carries a serious scoring threat, but two other emerging senior panellists are back in action. Brian O’Driscoll and Kevin Crowley have shaken off injuries to be named in the wing-back spots. They’ll provide width and dynamism for Cork and will seek to pin back Tipperary from the outset.
2. Cork and Tipperary bank on attacking power
Both teams enter tonight’s game in Páirc Uí Rinn after a run that has showcased superb attacking form. Between them they have amassed 5-74 in their two games to date with Cork striking 3-33 and Tipperary registered 2-41. Irrespective of the merits of their opponents, that shows the threat they can unleash up front.
Tonight it’ll be a question as to who can maintain that form. On the Cork side, Dan MacEoin, Alan Cadogan and Mark Sugrue have caught the eye. On the Tipperary team, Michael Quinlivan, Greg Henry and Liam McGrath have impressed. Quelling their threats is the focus for defences on both sides.
3. Tipperary keen to stay the course this year
Tipperary will have revenge on their minds as they travel south tonight after being dislodged in last year’s final on their home patch in Thurles. They lost that clash by 1-17 to 0-9 in Semple Stadium, a defeat all the more galling because they had challenged strongly in the opening period.
It was a tight first-half last April with Tipperary lead 0-5 to 0-4 by the end of it. But they were blitzed in the second-half as Cork took over. With nine of the current Tipperary side starting that night, their primary goal tonight with be to stay the course and remain in the hunt for honours come the closing stages.
4. Building on minor glory
Tipperary’s 2011 minor success was a superb boost for football in the county and reflected the star quality that they were starting to produce in their underage ranks. The tricky part of course is bringing that minor promise forward.
Tipperary lost out in their U21 opener against Kerry in 2012 before being defeated in last year’s final. That appearance in the decider was their fifth in seven years but 2010 is their solitary triumph. Gaining another Munster title now would be a significant forward step.
5. Can Cavan’s extraordinary dominance continue?
Cavan got the better of Monaghan in last week’s provincial semi-final, the 12th successive victory for the county at Ulster U21 level. It’s been 14 victories in 15 games for the Breffni County, the 2010 final loss to Cavan the only blot on their copybook.
They’ve collected the last three titles in Ulster, beating Tyrone in 2011 and 2012 before overturning Donegal last year. Win tonight and the magnificent feat of four-in-a-row will be achieved for only the second time in Ulster U21 history after Tyrone managed it between 2000 and 2003. It’s a golden age for Cavan underage football and they’ll want their extraordinary level of dominance to continue.
6. Patrick McBrearty takes centre stage
The movements of Patrick McBrearty will be scrutinised tonight at the Athletic Grounds. The richly talented Donegal attack is in his last year operating at U21 level with his exploits at various grades for Donegal in recent seasons demonstrating his capabilities.
He’ll need watching tomorrow night. In Donegal’s two U21 games to date this season, he’s struck 1-15 and has been the hub of their attack in wins over Fermanagh and Armagh. Cavan’s highly-rated defender Killian Clarke has plenty experience and looks best placed to police McBrearty. Their duel is likely to influence the outcome.
