Leinster U21 Championship

An Laoch · February 06, 2009, 11:43:38 AM

Starts this weekend:

1. Longford v Wicklow    08.02.2009    Longford

2. 1 v Laois    01.03.2009    Longford/Aughrim

3. Wexford v Kildare    08.02.2009    Wexford

4. 3 v Carlow    01.03.2009    Wexford/Newbridge

5. Louth v Dublin    08.02.2009    Drogheda

6. 5 v Meath    01.03.2009    Drogheda/Parnell Park

7. Offaly v Westmeath    07.02.2009    Tullamore

8. 7 v Kilkenny    28.02.2009    Kilkenny

9. 2 v 4    17.03.2009    Home Venue 2

10. 6 v 8    17.03.2009    Home Venue 9

FINAL: 9 v 10

05.04.2009

Home Venue 9

Any thoughts?
Know of any Senior players turning out for the 21s?
Good minor sides moving up the ages?

AZOffaly · February 06, 2009, 12:30:41 PM

Offaly have quite a few involved at both levels, hence the current impasse on the senior issue until they play Westmeath. I've no idea what Westmeath will be like, but they're probably better prepared than our lads, given the hassle.

As for notable seniors, well we don't have many notable seniors playing senior, never mind Under 21, but as an indication, the debacle last Sunday in Roscommon featured Colin Egan, Ruairi Allen, Brian Connor and Ken Casey, the erstwhile great white hope. The latter trio are named as the full forward line for the U21s, while Colin Egan is midfield, as he was in Roscommon.

mattockranger · February 06, 2009, 02:10:28 PM

alot of last years minors there AZ
is connor over the U21's also?

Louth have a good chance of causing an upset on sunday against dublin
they're at home couple of U21's featured for the seniors recently we don't usually have much expectation at this level having drew laois in the first round three years on the trot
dublin being dublin will be a be physically imposing side
not too sure about there forward line though....kilmacud players are ruled out but Cian o'sullivan is eligible to play as he is suspended for crokes next game
any dubs out there that can give an idea of there prospects this year?

Meath and laois i persume are the favourites??

INDIANA · February 06, 2009, 02:22:33 PM

The team selected is a good side but the forwards are a bit hot and cold. If they click I expect Dublin to win but I'd be very sceptical if Dublin get over this weekend they'll beat a Colm O Rourke trained Meath side. We've a poor record at this level and have always underperformed. Louth at home have a very good chance of winning.
Crokes won't release Barry O Rourke to start but he's on the bench, he's a class act and a big loss. Kevin Nolan is out injured and playing with injections at the minute and when Crokes are finished he has a gilmore's op awaiting so he won't be available for the 21's at all. Again a big loss.
Dublin defence looks pretty good though, midfield is a concern though with the forwards a bit hit and miss. They had a good win against armagh without the cross players last week. Didn't see it and I don't know how good Armagh are.

mattockranger · February 06, 2009, 02:52:16 PM

We were beaten by Armagh i think

Just seen the team there on HILL16 looks an impressive team on paper
more than i thought....thats a very physical side we've a relatively small forward line....

whats shane byrne like at full back? is fitzsimons overage?
colin moore seems to be making a name for himself as a solid corner back?
tight call between niall brogan and guckian at half back but i've hears the latter is a quality performer?

Meath will be a very daunting task but whoever comes out of this battle i reckon will have a considerable confidence boost

shark · February 06, 2009, 03:26:31 PM

Westmeath only have 1 established senior player on their team, Kieran Gavin. I'm sure he will be tasked with marking Casey, they would be fairly familiar from St.Mary's v Rochfortbridge school matches down through the years. Other standout backs would be Fintan Reilly (full back for AIT in Sigerson this week) and Andrew Whitney who has been on the fringes of the senior panel for about 3 years.
Midfield has been a problem for Westmeath at all levels in recent years. I would imagine it will be Aiden Browne and Niall Kilcoyne who are both current senior panelists. Kilcoyne is the son of Westmeaths only hurling all-star, David.
Forward line should be strong, especially the full-forward line with Tommy McDaniels (3 points v Galway on Sunday), Ian Coffey who fired Athlone CC to Leinster Colleges last year and John Connellan who played in the All-Ireland 1/4 final against Dublin in 06.

This team were the favourites for Leinster minor in 06 but lost to a Paddy Andrews inspired Dublin. Midfield was the problem that day and could prove so again. Offaly seem to have it over us at underage with minor wins in 04,05 and 08.

INDIANA · February 06, 2009, 04:34:05 PM

Quote from: mattockranger on February 06, 2009, 02:52:16 PM
We were beaten by Armagh i think

Just seen the team there on HILL16 looks an impressive team on paper
more than i thought....thats a very physical side we've a relatively small forward line....

whats shane byrne like at full back? is fitzsimons overage?
colin moore seems to be making a name for himself as a solid corner back?
tight call between niall brogan and guckian at half back but i've hears the latter is a quality performer?

Meath will be a very daunting task but whoever comes out of this battle i reckon will have a considerable confidence boost

Shane was on the senor squad at vins that won the all-ireland. Good player and a very good prospect,hopefully we'll show more of a propensity to pick dublin born players. should start this year for us.
Moore is like lightening, horribly fast for a corner back. not the biggest though. Niall Brogan lost out when they moved sheanon out of midfield. very unlucky to lose out. Guckian and Cooper are quality players though.
Backs on paper look solid. Its the rest of it that is a bit hit and miss.

mattockranger · February 06, 2009, 04:47:23 PM

O'sullivan at midfield must be a query also... good player...but not an out and out midfielder...suppose he could go centre back and allow sheanon out...

What is colm murphy like then?

INDIANA · February 06, 2009, 05:05:46 PM

Murphy is a good player alright but O Sullivan is there because we have no other options at midfield. He's a terrific prospect but he's a 6 not an 8/9. could be an area louth could exploit.

mattockranger · February 06, 2009, 06:05:43 PM

Its hard to know Our midfield aren't over big....and a couple of tactical switches!

Louth have a midfielder McCann at 5....must be to pick up andrews...and we've wing back at midfield byrne !?!

shark · February 07, 2009, 04:59:14 PM

Westmeath 0-19 Offaly 0-8. John Connellan star of the show with 7 points. Cant remember ever beating Offaly by that much at any grade.

INDIANA · February 07, 2009, 05:03:33 PM

offaly beat us at this grade at minor level 3 years ago. some step back.

Jinxy · February 07, 2009, 06:42:21 PM

Is Richie Connor over the u-21's too?

rattle-the-net · February 07, 2009, 10:20:45 PM

Quote from: mattockranger on February 06, 2009, 02:52:16 PM
We were beaten by Armagh i think

Just seen the team there on HILL16 looks an impressive team on paper
more than i thought....thats a very physical side we've a relatively small forward line....

whats shane byrne like at full back? is fitzsimons overage?
colin moore seems to be making a name for himself as a solid corner back?
tight call between niall brogan and guckian at half back but i've hears the latter is a quality performer?

Meath will be a very daunting task but whoever comes out of this battle i reckon will have a considerable confidence boost

Was at that armagh match..armagh came out winners! they are ooking very good considering there championship isnt till mid march, so i would imagin that they would only be half way through their preperation....plus they were missin cross boys plus senior boys toner and folker!

Could be the team to look out for in ulster?

INDIANA · February 09, 2009, 05:40:55 PM

Any of the louth lads- just wondering if they heard when the u21 game was refixed? cheers.