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The oneills.com U20 GAA All-Ireland hurling championship is near the business end now, with just four teams left in the competition.
It’s provincial final time this week with Offaly taking on Dublin in a novel Leinster final pairing on Wednesday night as Tipperary take on reigning All-Ireland champions Cork in the Munster decider on Friday.
This week’s results
Munster U20HC semi-final
Clare 2-16 Cork 1-23
Leinster U20HC semi-finals
Dublin 4-17 Galway 0-20
Offaly 2-17 Kilkenny 2-16
Leinster semi-finals live up to their billing
The Offaly U20s are being described as one of the best supported teams after they drew a remarkable crowd of 8000 to O’Connor Park Tullamore for their one point win over Kilkenny last Wednesday night.
Shane Rigney was the scoring star for the Faithful in the game, the half forward racking up 2-3 as the home side pulled off their county’s first knock-out championship win over Kilkenny in any grade since 2007.
The Offaly supporters were out in force with a pitch invasion after the game, as oneills.com U20 GAA All-Ireland hurling championship continues to catch the eye of the public.
Goalkeeper Liam Hoare was also brilliant for Leo O’Connor’s team, saving a crucial penalty from Gearoid Dunne.
Dublin were big underdogs going into their corresponding semi-final against Galway, having lost to Galway by sixteen points in the group stages of this competition less than a month beforehand. But inspired by the brilliance of their wing forward David Purcell, who scored 2-1, they pulled off a remarkable turn-around.
It was in fact a 25 point turn-around for the Dubs as they pulled away from the Tribesmen with the goals coming from Purcell (two), Donncha Ó Dúlaing and Conor Newton. Conor Dolan was also very influential for Shane O’Brien’s team at centre back, as was Conal Ó Riain in midfield as they delighted the travelling support in O’Moore Park Portlaoise.
They will be back there again this Wednesday for the final clash with Offaly.
After the provincial finals next week, the oneills.com U20 GAA All-Ireland hurling championship will take place on the first weekend in June.
Cork reach Munster final with win over Clare
Having lost to the Banner in the group stage, Ben O’Connor’s side turned the tables on Clare when it mattered more in Friday night’s Munster semi-final.
Clare were favourites for the game given that they had home advantage in Cusack Park, Ennis but forwards William Buckley and Jack Leahy were unstoppable for Cork, scoring 0-16 between them. Diarmuid Stritch impressed for Clare with 2-1, as did Conor Whelan but in the end it wasn’t enough as Cork keep their hopes alive of regaining the oneills.com U20 GAA All-Ireland hurling championship.
Follow the O’Neills social media for U20 competitions, giveaways, and tickets to the games, with official U20 jerseys for sale on oneills.com.
This week’s fixtures
Leinster U20HC final (Wednesday)
Dublin v Offaly, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 7.30
Munster U20HC final (Friday)
Tipperary v Cork, TBC, 7.30
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