Limerick awaits.
There’s one spot left for a minor team in Croke Park on the first Sunday of September, just one.
Minor hurling champions Tipperary take on on westerners Galway on Sunday at 1.30pm and there’s an array of talent on show.
Here’s the three men to watch at headquarters.
Brian McGrath (Tipperary)
Brother of senior stars Noel and John, the Tipperary centre-back has the potential to be the most talented yet of the dynasty. Tough, uncompromising, menacing, he leads from the back as the rock of his county.
Captain of the minors that hammered Limerick in Munster final, McGrath isn’t exactly the sort of player that would accept that lot. He’ll be dragging his team along with him to the All-Ireland final, just like he’s constantly dragging them from defence into attack as if he never tires.
Plays with aggression and energy. Plays with heart.
Lyndon Fairbrother (Tipperary)
The forward is Tipperary’s scorer in chief and dead-eye free-taker.
Fairbrother made it to the whole way to the All-Ireland final last year only to be beaten by Galway in the decider, the Tribesman taking the cup home after a six-point win.
The Tipp forward and the whole county have unfinished business with the Connacht outfit and the Premier number 15 will be on a rampage on Sunday.
Has speed, has accuracy and has a fearless attitude that sees him step up when his side need him. He’ll take on a man and he’ll take on the big shot. He’ll take on the big day.
MOTM goes to Lyndon Fairbrother. Blistering display when it counted in the Munster MHC #ThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/nNrxLPRSv6
— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) July 12, 2015
Evan Niland (Galway)
One of 10 survivors from last year’s All-Ireland winning team, the Athenry point-machine is the man relied upon by county, club and school to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Tipperary will be mindful of conceding frees in their own half after last year, when Niland hit 0-9 (8 frees) in the decider.
Any mistake from the opposition is going to be punished mercilessly by the full forward. He’s been here before, he’s been further than this. This occasion won’t frighten him. But his stickwork might frighten the Tipp men.
Minor players are embarking on their adult lives, many are about to finish school and start college, they have hopes and dreams and ambitions, but for this one moment in time, the Electric Ireland Minor Championships is the major thing in their lives. Follow the conversation at #GAAThisIsMajor.
