TIPPERARY FORWARD JOHN O’Dwyer is on course to claim first place in the race to be top scorer in the 2012 Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling championship ahead of next Saturday’s final.

The Killenaule forward has amassed 1-25 from his three encounters in the Munster championship and enjoys a five-point advantage over Laois attacker Stephen Maher.

A number of players who are featuring in the decider in Thurles still have aspirations of overhauling O’Dwyer but will require a sparkling scoring display. Kilkenny’s Kevin Kelly needs at least eight points to edge to spot, his teammate Ger Aylward – who has amassed all of his tally to date from open play – requires a haul of nine points – and fellow Cats attacker John Power must strike 11 points.

On the Clare side, Clonlara’s Cathal O’Connell is their best hope in joint fourth place at present with 0-20 with Tony Kelly (0-12) in ninth place and Conor McGrath (2-5) in joint tenth place.

1. John O’Dwyer (Tipperary) – 1-25 (28) – (0-17f)
2. Stephen Maher (Laois) – 0-23 (23) – (0-15f, 0-2 ’65)
3. Kevin Kelly (Kilkenny) – 0-21 (21) – (0-16f)
4. Ger Aylward (Kilkenny) – 3-11 (20)
4. Shane Farren (Derry) – 3-11 (20) – (0-8f, 1-0 pen)
4. Cathal O’Connell (Clare) – 0-20 (20) – (0-7f, 0-2 ’65)
7. John Power (Kilkenny) – 5-3 (18) – (1-0 pen)
8. Conor McCann (Antrim) – 2-9 (15) – (0-5f)
9. Tony Kelly (Clare) – 0-12 (12) –  (0-2f, 0-3 ’65)
10. Shane Dowling (Limerick) – 1-8  (11) – (0-6f, 0-2 ’65)
10. Conor Corvan (Armagh) – 0-11 (11) – (0-10f)
10. Jack Guiney (Wexford) – 2-5 (11) – (2-5f)
10. Conor McGrath (Clare) – 2-5 (11) – (0-3f)
10. Walter Walsh (Kilkenny) – 2-5 (11)

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