John Horgan on U21 hurling magic: Great finals lift the winter gloom

The weather gods decreed that last weekend's remaining fixtures in the Cork county hurling championships could not go ahead.

There are still a number of games to be played at U21 level, the A and B competitions are at an advanced stage and it's down to the final in the main grade, Midleton against Shandrum.

They will collide in that game on Sunday on the 4G pitch at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and there is the prospect of a good game of hurling to put the seal on what has been a fine competition at divisional and county level.

U21 hurling finals so late in the season, deep in the month of December are nothing new and, in fact, some of the best games in any grade during the season have been played a week or two out from Christmas Day. And, despite the lateness in the year, those games dispelled the doubts about hurling in the depths of winter.

Two games in the U21 grade readily spring to mind, one exactly 20 years ago next Sunday when Erin's Own and Douglas met in a gripping game at Páirc Uí Rinn in a final that went the way of the East Cork team by a couple of points, 0-13 to 0-10 to be exact.

Scores were not easy to come by on that December Sunday and the Erin's Own rearguard was particularly influential with the likes of Paul Fenton, Stephen Cronin and Pat Fitzgerald manning the barricades. 

However, Douglas did not help their cause, shooting 17 wides over the hour, many of them scorable. And they certainly had regrets afterwards. 

The second game in the grade that we fondly remember was the 2018 decider between Fr O'Neill's and Midleton, an East Cork derby and one of the best games of hurling in any grade that was played that year.

This time the final was played two weeks out from the big day and after 20 minutes of extra-time, O'Neill's prevailed on a scoreline of 3-24 to 4-18.

It was an absolute belter of a game with current Cork star, Deccie Dalton delivering 15 points for Fr O'Neill's.

It was a game for the ages as darkness descended on the Boreenmanna Road venue before the floodlights shone brightly on a captive audience.

So, here we are again, this season's final less than a week before Christmas Day when Midleton take on Shandrum, this time on the 4G pitch of the Pairc.

Given the inclement weather of recent times, it probably makes sense to play it on that surface but many would prefer more natural grassy conditions.

But beggars can't be choosers and there is the anticipation of a fine final with Midleton installed as the more fancied outfit.

They are going in as defending champions and have claimed this title more than any other club, seven times securing the trophy.

At the beginning of the competition, there would have been a school of thought that believed Midleton and Glen Rovers were the two fancied teams.

However, Valley Rovers upset the applecart when they ousted the city team before they themselves were second best against Shandrum. 

The portents are strong for the North Cork team and they'll not be lacking in the confidence stakes.

Midleton, though, have been very impressive en route to the decider and in players like Evan McGrath, Mikey Finn and David Cremin, there's quality in abundance.

POTENTIAL

Turlough O'Neill, with a huge haul of 13 points, exhibited his potential in Shandrum's win over Valley Rovers in the semi-final, a thrilling contest from the outset.

The postponement last weekend threw a slight spanner in the works for both finalists but there won't be a better Christmas present for whoever emerges with the trophy. And who knows, we might get a final in keeping with other finals that were played deep in December in years gone by.

Away from Leeside and on the national stage we have potentially two savage All-Ireland club championship semi-finals to look forward to, Ballygunner taking on new Leinster heroes St Martin's from Wexford and Slaughtneil from Derry encountering Loughrea from Galway.

Slaughtneil might be considered the outsiders because their county is not a hurling stronghold but this club, in both codes, has more than proved its credentials in recent years.

Ballygunner are the big fancy in most quarters because of their vast experience in winning 12 titles on the trot in Waterford and subsequently going to the head of affairs in Munster after regaining the title a few weeks back against Eire Og from Clare.

And they are very serious outfit, a team packed with some real quality players in Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald and the Mahonys, Philip and Pauric to mention just a few.

Stephen O'Keeffe remains a goalkeeper of the highest quality and new team boss Jason Ryan continues to work the oracle in the aftermath of the vast contribution that Darragh O'Sullivan made.

They are the fancy here but St Martin's exhibited their prowess when defeating the most successful club team of all time, Ballyhale-Shamrocks in the Leinster final.

ENTHRALLING

We have already written about that game and how enthralling it was and how the Wexford men illustrated that they are a match for the best.

Thurles won't be bursting at the seams on Sunday but those present could be in for another thriller.

Jack and Rory Connor, cousin Barry were outstanding for St Martin's in the Leinster decider and imagine how high their confidence levels must be.

One might ask, is there no end to this hurling year and thankfully there does not seem to be and thus far December is right up there in the months that have provided us with some of the best fare.

And the women did not let us down either after last Sunday's gripping finale to the senior club final at Croke Park. The Barrs would have been slightly disappointed that they didn't complete the task against Athenry after being in an advantageous position to do so.

But the bottom line has to be, they still very much viable title contenders and will be for the replay in January.

So, on all fronts, home and away there is still a lot of hurling to be played before the new year dawns.

Forecasting on the events of this weekend the thinking is that Midleton might just have that bit extra in the tank against Shandrum in our own U21 final. On the national stage, a tentative vote goes to Ballygunner to do the job against St Martin's and Loughrea to shade the issue against Slaughtneil.

Who said that the game of hurling is only a summer game... it's not doing too badly thus far in the month of December.

And, who knows, there might be even better to come over the comung days.