Committee to be put in place to decide format for U21 hurling championship

*Jordan Downes and Jimmy O’Gorman in action. Photograph: John Mangan

A committee is to be established to decide on a format for this season’s U21 hurling championship.

Club delegates discussed the prospect of an U20 or U21 competition taking place at the September County Board meeting. The majority view of delegates supported an U21 competition ahead of U20 and most were in favour of a knockout championship with some asking for a format that would allow teams beaten in the first round to have a second chance.

Joe McNamara of St Josephs Doora/Barefield asked that an U21 football championship also be run off but he added that midweek fixtures were not an option due to many of the players being away in college.

Coiste na nÓg Peil Chairman, PJ McGuane reminded all present that “we are struggling to finish all our fixtures” and he asked if there are enough venues and referees available. “We failed to finish some competitions last year. We must see if it is feasible to run these before we go ahead. This time of year was normally reserved for U2 football”.

Supporting the running of an under 21 championship, Flan Mullane from Clonlara asked if under 17’s could play at this grade.

Meanwhile, St Breckans GAA are to hold an U14 tournament on the weekend of October 16/17 involving six teams in memory of former club president, the late Frank Sheedy to whom they will dedicate the stand at their grounds at a ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament.

Wolfe Tones will run a Junior B hurling tournament involving themselves, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Broadford and O’Callaghans Mills in Shannon on Saturday October 23rd.