The upsurge in interest in underage hurling has been very much to the fore in the Ulster Club Minor Cup competition the Final of which will be played out on Tuesday (12noon) between Derry side Lavey and Antrim representatives Glenariffe-Glenravel at Ballinascreen.
In reaching the decider, both sides have shown considerable skill and eye-catching finishing and both qualities are certain to be in vogue today.
In overcoming Tyrone representatives Eoghan Ruadh by 3-16 to 0-12 at the Semi-Final stage, Lavey’s direct style and attacking skills served them well. The Derry side led by 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time with Lorcan McDonnell hitting the net and Rian Collins and Patrick Birt prominent in amassing the team’s points haul.
When Birt helped himself to two goals after the interval he eased Lavey into a more comfortable position with Cormac McErlain and Sheehan Fay doing their best to keep Eoghan Ruadh in the picture.
Glenariffe-Glenravel were pushed to the limit by Down side Bredagh in the other Semi-Final before they came out on top by 2-15 to 1-16.
Callum McIlwaine inflicted most damage on the Down side by snapping up seven points while Orrin O’Connor helped himself to six while Oisin Gillan and Phelim Ward grabbed their goals.
Bredagh showed considerable spirit in taking their opponents down to the wire and scores from Luke Doran, Finbar Blaney, Daniel Kinney and Odhran Morgan-Lyttle helped to keep them in touch until the final whistle sounded.
Glenariffe-Glenravel are aware that in Lavey they will be meeting a fiercely determined side in today’s decider and will need to hit the ground running if they are to come out on top.
Lavey for their part have underlined their finishing skills and shown that they can cope with pressure although Glenariffe-Glenravel feel they can dig deeper into their own reservoir of skill.