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Rising Stars

6 Clare and Cork players to watch out for in tonight's Munster U21 hurling final

The teams meet in the Bord Gáis Energy provincial showdown at 7.15pm in Ennis.

1. Tony Kelly (Clare)

Barring a draw, tonight will be the last game of Tony Kelly’s Munster U21 hurling career. He’s left quite a mark on the championship. In 2011, while still eligible for minor, he bagged 0-3 despite Clare’s semi-final defeat to Limerick.

Since then he’s excelled in helping Clare win Munster titles for the last two years, and reach tonight’s final against Cork. His spellbinding showing in 2012 was instrumental in Clare’s victory in the decider against Tipperary in Ennis. At the same venue tonight, Clare will hope he can bend the game to his will again.

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

2. Patrick Collins (Cork)

Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins is at the opposite end of his U21 career to Kelly. He’s still only a minor and was between the posts when Cork lost out to Limerick in the Munster semi-final of that grade in late June.

But this is remarkably his second season operating at U21 level. He demonstrated why in the recent semi-final against Waterford as he produced a series of outrageous saves to deny Deise attackers and keep a clean sheet. Manager Patrick Kenneally dubbed the game ‘The Patrick Collins Show’ afterwards and it was easy to see why.

Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

3. Jamie Shanahan (Clare)

Amidst the disappointment of Clare’s recent senior qualifier exit to Wexford, there was some solace in the emergence of more young talent. Jamie Shanahan has long been touted as a brilliant prospect after his heroics with Ardscoil Rís, Sixmilebridge and Clare underage sides.

He struck 0-2 when introduced in Wexford Park that night to illustrate his offensive talent. Tonight he’s selected at wing-back for the U21 side and that proves the versatility he offers.

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

4. Colm Barry (Cork)

Cork’s defence crumbled under the weight of pressure in last year’s Munster U21 hurling semi-final against Tipperary. They shipped five goals that night and it was noticeable in their recent semi-final against Waterford, that they didn’t see any green flags raised against them.

Colm Barry was central to that as he anchored the team from full-back. The Castlelyons club man lined out for Mary Immaculate College in last spring’s Fitzgibbon Cup and impressed for the Cork intermediate side in last Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final. The U21 squad will need him to impress tonight.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

5. Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

After the exhilarating high of last September, the new year has been a frustrating experience for Shane O’Donnell. Injuries have stalled his progress and hindered his hopes of replicating the dazzling goalscoring abilities he showcased to decide the destination of the Liam MacCarthy Cup for 2013.

He was back in the Clare U21 ranks for their recent semi-final win over Tipperary, springing from the bench to land a crucial goal as they fashioned an extra-time triumph. He starts tonight and represents a threat Clare will look to exploit and that Cork will look to quell.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

6. Alan Cadogan (Cork)

He’s been one of the best forwards at senior level in hurling in 2014 and Alan Cadogan is vying with Shane Dowling for the ‘Young Hurler Of The Year’ award. The corner-forward’s displays have caught the eye as Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s team swept to Munster glory.

Now he’s hoping to add an U21 medal to his collection tonight. He certainly impressed in the semi-final against Waterford as he bagged 1-4. Clare will need to stifle his influence tonight.

Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

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