hurling

Celtic Challenge round-up

12 July 2021 - 2:35PM

Action from the Celtic Challenge match between Longford and Monaghan.

This weekend saw some magnificent encounters in the semi-finals of the Celtic Challenge. Despite what might be reflected in some score lines most games were in the balance right up to the final water break which is most encouraging in this U-17 developmental hurling competition.

All teams proceed now to finals on Saturday July 24th. The semi-final winners will compete for the Corn Michael Hogan, Corn John Scott, Corn Michael Feery, Corn Tom Hogan, Corn William Robinson, and Corn Jerome O'Leary trophies, while the remaining twelve teams will compete for sets of specially commissioned Celtic Challenge medals in the six consolation finals.

The Westmeath Celtic Challenge team that defeated Offaly Gold.

Venues and times are currently being organized and will be announced as soon as possible. With a plethora of games taking place that weekend, and with many calls on pitches and officials, this in itself is huge operation. Some counties are delighted also to be involved in Ring, Rackard or Meagher games on the same day and with overlapping mentors and officials in many cases it promises to be a very busy weekend for some.

All in all, there will be twenty-four teams involved in twelve finals at twelve different locations on the same day. In hurling development terms that is not bad going, considering that just a couple of months ago the likelihood of the Celtic Challenge taking place at all was very slim and considering also that this time last year it was not possible to play even one game.