The list of contenders for this year’s U21 All-Ireland is now down to five following Dublin’s victory over Laois in today’s Leinster final at Portlaoise. The Dubs now play ten-times champions Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final on April 18th whereas we must wait until Wednesday week before we find out who we’ll be facing that same Saturday.
According to this match report on yesterday’s Connacht final, our semi-final has been fixed for Pearse Park in Longford, which was, of course, the venue for that heart-stopping All-Ireland minor final replay last September. Hopefully this time we’ll come away with a win from the midlands venue. Finally, speaking of match reports, make sure to check out There is a light that never goes out’s excellent take on yesterday’s victory in Sligo.
4 in a row!! WOW! To be honest the game was a bit of an anti climax but i cant fault our lads. They did a professional job and had another gear or two left if required. Keane, McGlaughlin, O Shea and Parsons are the most exciting prospects in my memory. They consistently perform when the heat is on…the sign of true quality. Of course the lesser lights did really well also. We are carrying a couple of potential weak links but managment arent afraid to implement quick fixes. To push for home I think we will need Freeman back and possibly Nally too if he was avail. We dont have a free taker either and i cant remember a team winning an all ireland without one and we surely arent going to come up against a defence as accomadating as the sligo boys so scores from placed balls could be a priority. Anyway enough of the negatives. We have a quality side that believes it can win an all ireland. They have proven mental strenght, physical strenght, scoring ability all backed up with a fantastic managment team. Our biggest test will come in longford you would imagine but you just dont know at underage. All i do know is that it will take a fine team to beat us.
yes a fine display on Sat – to keep the level of performance up against limited opposition must have been difficult but attitude was spot on. There are some great workers in this team Carolan Keegan Mc loughlin all worked from the off as for free taking I dont know from distance but Jason Doherty dealt with the 20- 30 yds frees with ease from the hands, he is a supremely confident player. I agree that on this form this team will fear no one
So we should approach Longford in bullish mood
Hopefully senior management will have the good sense to rest the u 21’s for the Tyrone visit
Id say U21’s will be held back and only used if needed against tyrone.