All four provinces are represented in this year’s All-Ireland Minor Finals, with two cracking contests in store. The Minor grade of course is one of the premier grades, and when you look through the list of past champions you see some huge names, including all four of todays Senior finalists; Robbie McCarthy (2004 & 2005), Charly Shanks (2001), Catriona Casey (2010 & 2011), Aisling Reilly (2006 & 2007).
It bodes well for the two winners this weekend, but who those two winners will be is difficult to call. In the Boys final, Tyrone’s Sean Kerr possibly just edges his opponent Tadhg O’Neill (Cork) to the favourite tag given the fact he is last years finalist. But both players are exceptionally gifted Handballers and always provide a thrilling, high-octane spectacle for spectators when they compete.
Kerr is a very elegant player, with two natural hands, and is graceful in his court movement. He has an illustrious juvenile career winning almost all titles on offer across the various codes. Having won the U14 & U16 All-Ireland’s, he will be bidding to become the first player since Robbie McCarthy, to complete the hat trick of blue ribband Juvenile All-Ireland’s.
O’Neill himself is becoming familiar with All-Ireland titles, but in the Doubles code, having won the U15D & U16D in the last two years with club mate David Walsh. Knowing he has another year competing at Minor level next year will not deter the Mallow man from giving his all to win this weekend. O’Neill is an explosive player with a wicked sidearm, who will throw himself all over the court with no regard for his body, with his style of play akin to his club mate and international star Killian Carroll.
To set up this meeting, Kerr saw off Galway’s Diarmuid Mulkerrins21-13, 21-13 in the SF, whilst O’Neill was forced to a third game before seeing off current World 17&U champion Daniel Kavanagh 18-21, 21-14, 21-7.
The duo last met in the World Championships in Canada where it was O’Neill who prevailed 21-19, 15-21, 11-8 at the QF stage, so if that is anything to go by, then this Minor final is going right to the wire.
The Ladies Minor Final is arguably one of the strongest pairings in recent times as Roscommon’s Fiona Tully takes on Kildare’s Hannah Dagg. Tully is the current World 17&U champion and in a stylish two-handed player. The St Coman’s woman was impressive in dispatching Armagh’s Niamh Coleman 21-11, 21-16 in the semi-final a fortnight ago and will start the final as slight favourite.
Leixlip’s Dagg progressed to the final after defeating Tipperary’s Sinead Meagher 21-10, 21-12 and the physical stronger Dagg could cause Tully trouble with her aggressive attacking play.
Both girls showcased their talent in January’s She’s Ace tournament, with both making the leap up into the Open ranks with a seamless transition, making the Ladies A drop down final (5th Place Playoff). In a terrific encounter it was Tully who just held on to win out 25-22 against Dagg, and like the Boys Final, if we can expect more of the same this weekend then spectators are in for a treat.
All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final Results:
Ladies Minor
- Roscommon (Fiona Tully) dft Armagh (Niamh Coleman) 21-11, 21-16
- Kildare (Hannah Dagg) dft Tipperary (Sinead Meagher) 21-10, 21-12
Boys Minor
- Tyrone (Sean Kerr) dft Galway (Diarmuid Mulkerrins) 21-13, 21-13
- Cork (Tadgh O’Neill) dft Wexford (Daniel Kavanagh) 18-21, 21-14, 21-7
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