CITY TRIBUNE

Minors are braced for ‘big kick’ from the Banner

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GALWAY minor hurlers will commence their championship campaign with an All-Ireland quarter-final against Clare at the revamped Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Saturday (1pm) with Tribes boss Jeffrey Lynskey expecting “a big kick” from the Munster finalists following their heavy loss to Cork in the provincial decider.

While Clare were defeated 4-21 to 0-16 in the Munster final, it is not lost on Lynskey that Clare have three provincial games under their belt which gives them a measure of momentum heading into Saturday’s showdown against the young Tribesmen in what is the last ever All-Ireland series at U-18 grade.

“They would still have a bit of momentum,” concedes Lynskey. “We have seen them a few times and they have a good half-back line there in (Diarmuid) Ryan, (Cian) Minogue and (Aidan) McCarthy. They are all good ball winners and attacking half-backs.

“In the inside line then, they have young (Gary) Cooney, (Breffni) Horner and (Tiernan) Agnew. These are all free scoring forwards, even though it didn’t happen for them the last day against Cork but Cork are particularly strong at minor this year.

“So, I know there is going to be a kick in them after the heavy defeat to Cork in the Munster final. There is going to be a big kick in them because, at this stage, it is knockout. There are no second chances and you have to get it right. As simple as that. So, whoever turns up on Saturday with the most hunger and desire and the want and the will to win, it will be they who will be successful.”

With no competitive game played yet, it is difficult to assess the merits of Galway’s class of 2017. In addition, they have only a handful of players – Ronan Glennon (Mullagh), Conor Caulfield (Kilconieron), Enda Fahy (Kilbeacanty), Jack Canning (Portumna) and Donal Mannion (Cappataggle) – who were involved last year which meant this Galway team has practically been built from scratch.

“We have had a big transition in players,” acknowledges Lynskey, “but look, we had a good crop of 16-year-olds from the Academy that got to the All-Ireland final down in Tipperary last year. Unfortunately, they haven’t got minor next year . . . and these would be really good minors next year. It is what it is.”

For more, see this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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