Clare's edge may well be the sharper

MUNSTER AND ULSTER UNDER-21 HC FINALS:Waterford v Clare

RARELY HAVE two teams come into a Munster under-21 hurling final loaded with so much incentive to win. For Waterford, that comes partly from the surprise victory over then champions Tipperary in the semi-final which leaves them in view of a first Munster title since 1994, and only a fourth in all.

Maurice Shanahan, Shane Fives and Shane Casey all shone in that impressive win, which has Waterford starting as marginal favourites, if only because they have home advantage this evening.

For Clare, who incredibly have never won this title, the incentive carries over from last year when they were controversially beaten by Tipperary, when the referee reversed a 20-metre free and gave Tipperary a 65 at the opposite end – which corner forward Pa Bourke converted for what proved to be the winning point, 1-16 to 2-12.

Clare have bounced back impressively a year on and fairly hammered Limerick in their semi-final, 4-22 to 2-13, with Colin Ryan scoring 3-9 and Darach Honan contributing a personal tally of 1-4.

In their 13th final, Clare have the chance to go all the way at last. Captain Ciarán O’Doherty admitted his team is desperate for victory, particularly given what happened last year: “That’s what we planned for this year, to get back here to prove ourselves,” he said. “We want to make up for that. But it’s behind us now and this is a new game. There hasn’t been much talk about it but it’s in the back of everyone’s minds and everyone’s thinking about it.

“We’ll just leave it in the bottom of the stomach until the last 10 minutes of the game.”

Waterford captain Stephen Daniels said home advantage tonight gives them an extra incentive.

“We do know the pitch very well but Clare went down there training recently. Hopefully all of our training there might be worth one or two points. I know that it’s a huge advantage but we won’t be taking that into consideration.”

There will be no hiding the huge desire both these teams will bring to the table, but if hunger has the ultimate say, surely Clare can’t be denied?

Ulster Under-21 HC final

Antrim v Derry,

Casement Park, 7.30.

Despite the fact Derry are aiming for a hat-trick of titles, Antrim will start as strong favourites given they are on home turf. Yet they are without James Campbell, who broke his thumb in a club match last weekend, and Derry have beaten them in the past two years.

A win would give Antrim their 25th title in the grade, while Derry are seeking just their sixth – plus that elusive three-in-a-row.