Dublin to maintain their momentum

GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN’S HURLING momentum at underage quickened last weekend with the minors reaching a first All-Ireland final…

GAELIC GAMES:DUBLIN'S HURLING momentum at underage quickened last weekend with the minors reaching a first All-Ireland final in 28 years. This afternoon's Bórd Gáis All-Ireland under-21 semi-final gives the county a great chance of reaching a second final this season.

Dublin’s relatively untroubled path through Leinster – Kilkenny having been beaten by Wexford – featured some impressive displays, especially the second half of the provincial final when they turned a tight contest with Wexford into a rout.

By all accounts Antrim have put a big effort into this year after last year’s destruction by eventual champions Tipperary.

They haven’t been helped by a provincial championship that provided just one match, the final against Armagh, which they struggled to win, after Derry had scratched from their scheduled semi-final.

Dublin seniors, including captain Liam Rushe and Daire Plunkett who played last week, give the Leinster champions a big advantage in experience and they are on course for a second final in five seasons.

DUBLIN: G McManus; B O’Carroll, D Kelly, J Doughan; D Curran, L Rushe, M Quilty; C Gough, D Sutcliffe; D Plunkett, M Schutte, S McGrath; K O’Loughlin, N McMorrow, E Dillon.

ANTRIM: TBA.

Referee: F Smith (Meath).

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Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times