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May 31 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm FBD Semple Stadium Thurles Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)

Competition:

Fulfil GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship Final

Description:

Clare defeated Galway by 4-20 to 2-16 in the Fulfil GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship Final on Sunday May 31st at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles.

Match Highlights

Clare comfortably see off Galway to land All-Ireland U20 hurling title

Report by Eoghan Cormican courtesy of the Irish Examiner newspaper

CLARE 4-20 GALWAY 2-16

The Clare kids did not fatten on their minor success. The attitude never slipped. The appetite never waned. Their collection now includes U20 All-Ireland honours.

At the same venue as the minor decider of three years ago, Clare once again comfortably had the measure of their maroon counterparts.

Ten players from the 2023 class featured here. Their development continues to be accentuated by important pieces of underage silverware. Confidence continues to grow that this group is Clare’s future and will offer the foundation of the Banner rebuild that is coming in the next couple of years.

The county’s perfect record on All-Ireland final afternoon of this championship has been preserved. Five from five. A first in 12 years.

Three goals in a 10-minute period either side of half-time removed all suspense from the outcome. In front by 2-8 to 0-9 at the break, an unanswered 2-2 pushed Terence Fahy’s charges into an uncatchable 4-10 to 0-9 advantage on 38 minutes.

The points came from the corner-forward pair of Marco Cleary and 2025 minor Paul Rodgers. The latter was a splendid sideline cut, albeit the sideline call from linesman Johnny Murphy was incorrect.

The third member of the inside line, Thomas O’Connor, doubled his goal count on 36 minutes. Fred Hegarty’s free came back down off the post. The towering O’Connor reacted quickest. Possession was snapped up and pistoled to the net. This inside trio delivered a decisive 3-5 from play.

Two minutes later, a long ball was gathered by Cleary. He got around his marker Michael Fallon. Cleary’s initial shot was hooked, his whipped second attempt reached the desired destination.

Galway had introduced Aaron Niland by this juncture. He entered the fray on 33 minutes for his first piece of U20 involvement since their Leinster opener of April 4.

He and fellow senior starter Jason Rabbitte never stopped trying to conjure an unlikely comeback. Rabbitte, for his part, was making his first U20 start since April 4.

He and Brian Callanan found final quarter goals. Munster final hero Mark Sheedy stopped three more.

Momentum swung fiercely in the final two minutes of the first half. Galway had closed to within a point. It was the third time they had closed to within the minimum after falling three behind inside six minutes.

Although trailing on the scoreboard, there was no real sense of chasing from the young Tribes. They were instead growing in assertion and confidence.

They blinked and found themselves five behind sitting in the dressing-room at half-time.

Clare’s second goal to create that gap was a superb individual effort. The Galway half-back line took half the day to clear their lines in the final minute of the 30. The lines never ended up being cleared.

Paul Rodgers pocketed the turnover and slipped a forward pass to the onrushing Jamie Moylan. From outside the 45-metre line, the Clare half-back galloped all the way inside the cover. The stinging shot matched the run.

Rodgers picked off his second point in the first minute of injury-time for a 2-8 to 0-9 interval Clare lead.

For all the successful cleaning of the Galway full-back line, Luke Kennedy’s work-ethic and dispossessions in the maroon half-forward line, and the respective pair of points from the inside pair of Jason Rabbitte and Brian Callanan, the conclusion to the half ensured the opening period was a Banner story of bookending green flags.

O’Connor and Clare’s opening goal was a fifth-minute finish. Rodgers kicked possession to Cleary. His shot was saved, O’Connor pulling on the loose ball.

It moved them 1-1 to 0-2 ahead. They were never caught thereafter.

The minor champions of 2023 are now the U20 champions of 2026. We await their next chapter.

Clare captain Eoghan Gunning and his teammates celebrate with the James Nowlan cup after the Fulfil GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship final match between Clare and Galway at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Scorers for Clare: F Hegarty (0-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘65); T O’Connor (2-0); M Cleary (1-2); J Moylan (1-1); P Rodgers (0-4, 0-1 sc); R Kilroy, M Collins (0-2); S Boyce, G Ball (0-1 each).

Scorers for Galway: B Callanan, J Rabbitte (1-2 each); J Shaughnessy (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘65); A Niland (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘65); M Burke, C Killeen, C Leen (0-1 each).

CLARE: M Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); E Gunning (Broadford), R Loftus (Éire Óg Ennis), M O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge); J Moylan (Cratloe), J Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona), R Hayes (Tulla); D Costello (Ballyea), G Ball (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); M Collins (Clonlara), R Kilroy (Banner), F Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona); P Rodgers (Scariff), T O’Connor (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), M Cleary (Éire Óg Ennis).
SUBS: D Moroney (Éire Óg Ennis) for Costello (48); R Keane (Killanena) for Hayes (50); S Boyce (O Callaghan’s Mills) for O’Connor (57); S Arthur (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Cleary, J Mescall (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Collins (both 60).

GALWAY: C Callanan (Clarinbridge); T Blake (Oranmore-Maree), E O’Reilly (Liam Mellows), M Fallon (Clarinbridge); D Campbell (Cappataggle), J Donnellan (Padraig Pearses), G Maher (Loughrea); M Burke (Skehana-Mountbellew/Moylough), C Killeen (Loughrea); L Kennedy (Ahascragh-Fohenagh), D Counihan (Clarinbridge), J Shaughnessy (Loughrea); J Rabbitte (Athenry), B Callanan (Ardrahan), V Morgan (Loughrea).
SUBS: A Niland (Clarinbridge) for Killeen (33); G King (Castlegar) for Campbell (37); S Moran (Castlegar) for Burke (43); C Leen (Craughwell) for Kennedy (47); R Cahalan (Killimordaly) for Maher (53).

REFEREE: T Gleeson (Dublin).

Team News

Match Preview

Garda Traffic Management Plan

A comprehensive Garda Traffic Management Plan will be in operation to cater for this game.

Significant traffic disruption is expected in Thurles and on all approach roads.

Travel Advice

Patrons are strongly advised to arrive in plenty of time and consider their routes prior to travel.

Suggested routes include:

  • M8 – Cashel – Holycross – Thurles
  • M8 – Exit 6 (Horse and Jockey) – Thurles
  • M8 – Exit 5 (Twomileborris) – Thurles
  • M8 – Cahir – N24 to Tipperary – Dundrum – Holycross – Thurles
  • M7 – Moneygall – Dunkerrin – Templemore – Thurles
  • M7 – Roscrea – Templemore – Thurles

Nenagh – Borrisoleigh – Thurles (R498): Severe delays are expected due to roadworks.
Patrons are advised to use alternative routes.

Disability Parking

Disability parking passes for Semple Stadium are only available through GAA County Boards.

Car Parking

  • Thurles Sarsfields, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • Thurles Crokes, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • TUS College Thurles, Nenagh Road, E41 PC92
  • Thurles Greyhound Stadium, Castlemeadows, Thurles, E41 YE09
  • Colaiste Mhuire School, Castlemeadows, Thurles, E41 W678
  • Stevie’s Smees Field, Holycross Road
  • Durlas Óg Field, Abbey Road, Thurles
  • Stradavoher Industrial Estate, Thurles
  • Parnell Street Car Park, E41 V8X9
  • Liberty Square Car Park
  • Source Car Park, Thurles, E41 A4E8
  • Kickham Street Car Park, Thurles
  • Thurles Mart, Ballycurrane, Thurles, E41 V794
  • Thurles Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Thurles
  • JYSK Car Park, Abbey Road, Thurles, E41 N520

After Game Traffic Management

Priority will be given to patrons exiting the Stadium on foot after the games.
Traffic congestion and delays are to be expected.

Illegally Parked Vehicles

Vehicles found illegally parked will be towed away to the Garda compound and will not be released until the statutory fee of €125.00 has been paid. A prosecution may also be instituted against the driver or owner of the vehicle.

Security

The Gardaí appeal to all motorists to:

  1. Secure and lock their vehicles
  2. Leave no valuables on display
  3. Park in supervised car parks
  4. Beware of pickpockets – take care of wallets, money and ATM/Credit cards. Avoid carrying large sums of cash
  5. Alcohol, air horns and vuvuzelas are not permitted within Semple Stadium

Reminder

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early, follow Garda instructions, plan their journey in advance
and allow extra time for both arrival and departure.

Broadcast Details:

Venue:

  • FBD Semple Stadium Thurles