My prediction for provincial U21 winners is Dublin, Kerry, Roscommon & Armagh.
Based on results in the 2015 Hastings Cup Roscommon will be right in the All Ireland mix along with Kerry. In Connacht Mayo appear to be stronger than Galway. Both were beaten by Roscommon in the Hastings Cup, Mayo by 5 points & Galway by 13 points in the Hastings Cup final. Leitrim also acquitted themselves well losing the semi final to Galway in extra time. In Leinster Meath despite being all Ireland minor finalists in 2012 will not feature as they suffered a series of heavy defeats in the Hastings Cup. Kildare also failed to shine. The only Ulster team to compete in the Hastings Cup was Cavan who appear not to be as strong as the Cavan U21 teams from the last 3 years. Kerry won the Hastings shield having won all of their games except for a draw against Roscommon. Tipp failed to shine.
Dublin are the team to beat at U 21 with forwards Cormac Costello & Conor Mc Hugh leading the way. Roscommon's I believe have more quality players than either Mayo or Galway this year but a lot depends on the performance on the day. Their chances of All Ireland glory depend on whether midfielder Thomas Corcoran recovers from his ankle injury in time & whether they can improve on the defensive system that wasn't up to the task against Dublin in last years final.
Based on results in the 2015 Hastings Cup Roscommon will be right in the All Ireland mix along with Kerry. In Connacht Mayo appear to be stronger than Galway. Both were beaten by Roscommon in the Hastings Cup, Mayo by 5 points & Galway by 13 points in the Hastings Cup final. Leitrim also acquitted themselves well losing the semi final to Galway in extra time. In Leinster Meath despite being all Ireland minor finalists in 2012 will not feature as they suffered a series of heavy defeats in the Hastings Cup. Kildare also failed to shine. The only Ulster team to compete in the Hastings Cup was Cavan who appear not to be as strong as the Cavan U21 teams from the last 3 years. Kerry won the Hastings shield having won all of their games except for a draw against Roscommon. Tipp failed to shine.
Dublin are the team to beat at U 21 with forwards Cormac Costello & Conor Mc Hugh leading the way. Roscommon's I believe have more quality players than either Mayo or Galway this year but a lot depends on the performance on the day. Their chances of All Ireland glory depend on whether midfielder Thomas Corcoran recovers from his ankle injury in time & whether they can improve on the defensive system that wasn't up to the task against Dublin in last years final.