Under-21 Preview

All-Ireland U-21 H Semi-Final

Tipperary v Galway Tullamore, 3.30.

After all the controversy surrounding Tipperary's Munster final win over Clare in Ennis last Tuesday, they will now have to give a concentrated effort once again to overcome a highly experienced and eager Galway side.

Tipperary manager Gerry O'Brien described Tuesday's encounter as the "best under-21 final ever played" and there is every reason to believe that despite the heated finish in Ennis, they can carry that form to Tullamore.

They have made one change in personnel from the team that lined out on that occasion, with John Ferncombe coming in at corner forward to boost their attack. The highly experienced dual player Declan Browne moves to full forward, with Michael Kennedy taking up the position in the other corner. Half-forward Paddy O'Brien of Toomevara scored nine points in the last outing and is likely to be another major factor.

Elsewhere, they have made substantial positional switches in the defense, including a move for Tom Costelloe from corner-back into full back. Costelloe was involved in the unfortunate clash with Clare corner forward Brain McMahon, but otherwise he had an impressive display on Tuesday and is again likely to prove pivotal in the defence.

The main problem for Galway at this stage will be their lack of competitive games at this level, although they will, however, have the benefit of the managerial direction of Noel Lane, was who was part of Galway's All-Ireland winning side of 1987 and 1988. Their is no lack of talent and ability in their team selection either. Two of the senior representatives from the campaign of this summer will form an important part of their challenge. Rory Gantley will start at centre back and he made an important contribution when coming on as a substitute in Galway's drawn game with Clare.

They will also look to the skills of Eugene Cloonan at right corner forward, who scored a record score of 2-10 with his impressive display in the losing replay with Clare. Still, it will take a inspired performance from the entire Galway side if they are to overcome Tipperary.

Tipperary (U-21H v Galway): D Young; D Fahey, T Costelloe, W Hickey; M Ryan, J Carroll, P Maher; W Maher, R Flannery; P O'Brien, E O'Neill, P Kelly; J Ferncombe, D Browne, M Kennedy.

Galway (U-21H v Tipperary): N Murray; S Morgan, D Cloonan, S McClearn; E Linnane, R Gantley, D O'Shaughnessy; E Tannion, E Donohue; D Tierney, A Poniard, D Loughrey; AN Other, E Cloonan, D Donohue. Subs; T Grogan, S Donohue, D Donnelly, C O'Reilly, M Kerins, R Cullinane, David Huban, Damian Huban, J Cummins, S Lawless.