Imposing Dublin hold most of the aces

GAELIC GAMES:THIS IS the first in a trilogy of meetings between the counties over the next fortnight.

From a Galway perspective there is only tenuous links to their minor and under-21 hurlers who face Dublin in their respective All-Ireland finals, yet four of Dessie Farrell’s Dublin teenagers are involved on two fronts.

Cormac Costello, Eric Lowndes, Emmett Ó Conghaile and Ciarán Kilkenny are Dublin’s dual quartet.

Kilkenny and Costello tore Waterford apart in the All-Ireland minor hurling semi-final two weeks ago. Kilkenny and, arguably, Costello are better footballers than hurlers. If they are in the mood, few teenagers can match their power and skill.

This is probably the best minor side produced in the capital since Mark Vaughan’s 2003 crop, who were beaten in an All-Ireland final replay by Laois.

They are poised to become the first Dublin minors to win the ultimate prize since Tipperary, who are waiting in the final again, were felled in the 1984 decider.

But to overlook Galway now would be a grave error. Farrell will know what centre forward Shane Walsh is capable of, along with the other seven St Jarlath’s players in the group.

The Tuam football nursery reached this year’s Hogan Cup final only to lose 2-10 to 0-15 to St Colman’s, Newry after an inspirational showing from Down senior footballer Caolan Mooney, who has since departed these shores to take up a two-year deal with AFL club Collingwood.

However, the Jarlath’s eight struggled to transfer this form to the minor inter-county ranks. Roscommon gave them a decent trimming in the Connacht final but they recovered to beat Cavan in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Walsh is joined in the attack by Gearóid Armstrong, a brother of senior corner forward Seán, while full back James Shaughnessy, midfielder Shane Maughan and Conor Rabbitte return from the team beaten by Cork, despite scoring five goals, at this juncture in 2010.

Shaughnessy and Kilkenny are due to collide just yards from the Galway goal.

It should prove a fascinating contest as Dublin have plenty of firepower and are a huge team for this age grade. They thrashed Cork in the quarter-final.

Tommie Joyce’s side could conceivably upset the form guide but only if this fine Dublin team under perform. The Leinster champions to progress with a few points to spare.

GALWAY: C Gleeson; A Nolan, J Shaughnessy, E Murray; E Walsh, C Cunningham, C Mulryan; S Maughan, G Canavan; S Moran, S Walsh, P Glynn; G Armstrong, I Burke, C Rabbitte.

DUBLIN: TBC

Referee: R O’Donnell (Donegal).