With there being real quality in the girls grades, there is certainly some firepower in the boys grades too for this weekends Junior Nationals in Galway.
In the Boys 13&U, Wexford's recently crowned All-Ireland U14 Doubles winner Josh Kavanagh enters as top seed, with the ever improving, and Liscarroll Open winner Billy Drennan taking second seed. Drennan's fellow county man, and World Finalist in the 13&U grade in Canada last summer, Jack Doyle (Kilkenny) could set up a SF showdown with Drennan if he comes through Saturday's minefield, where there are a host of other talented youngsters on show including Conor O'Dywer (Tipperary), Mark Doyle (Wexford) & Cahir Munroe (Tyrone) to name but a few.
With the injury withdrawal of Clare's All-Ireland U16 champ Tiarnan Agnew, it is Tyrone shooter Antoin Fox who takes top seed ahead of Galway's Peter Donohue. Donohue won the title last year, but was defeated by Fox in last months Championship, and if seedings hold through, on paper at least it looks like a repeat showdown between the two players. But there are of course plenty of other names in the draw capable of upsetting the odds. Tyrone's Lorcan McBride won the 13&U Nationals last year and claimed the U16 Doubles last month, whilst Tuamgraney's Mark Rodgers is the current 15&U All-Ireland title holder. Throw in the likes of Cian O'Driscoll, Eoghan McGinnity, Connor Drennan & Jason O'Toole and there is sure to be some entertaining tussles in the grade, which will kick off in Michael Breathnach HC on Saturday morning.
The 17&U grade is stacked with top players, as Sean Kerr (Tyrone) & Tadhg O'Neill (Cork) look to set up a repeat All-Ireland Minor Final, although standing in their way is Leinster & Connacht Minor holders Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford) & Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Galway).
Last years Minor finalists Johnny Woods (Tyrone) & Fergal Coughlan (Clare) are the players to beat in the 19&U grade, but face dangerous opponents in route through the likes of Keith Armstrong (Wexford), Ryan Mullan (Tyrone) & Gavin Coyle (Monaghan). Saturday's action in the 19&U is set for Salthill HC, with the first QF at 1.30pm.
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