There was no shortage of drama in the Electric Ireland Minor Championship over the past few days. Kilkenny got their revenge on Dublin after suffering defeat last year, with a four point win seeing them over the line.
Clare overcame Limerick by just two points at the end of 80 minutes, while Cork and Tipperary had to do it all again on Monday evening after they simply couldn't be separated in their first meeting.
Some superb performances from three standout candidates across the fixtures make up the nominees for the Electric Ireland Minor Player of the Week voting. You can cast your ballot every week on Electric Ireland's Facebook page, and get involved in the conversation through #GAAThisIsMajor.
Given the standard on show this week, the results in the vote may well be as tight as the games between the sides on the field.
Aidan McCarthy – Clare
Extra time was required to settle the semi-final between Clare and Limerick, as the Banner county's Minors booked their place in the final for the first time since 2012.
Action Shots from Wednesday Munster GAA Minor Hurling Semi-Final when lost by 2 points to Clare after extra time. Limerick 0-17 Clare 0-19 pic.twitter.com/BnwZrqIxLn
— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) June 29, 2017
In a game of fine margins, Clare's tally of 22 wides will be a source of concern, but there was no doubting that this was a tough contest that showcased the grit and determination of both sides.
Level on 0-07 a piece at half-time, they couldn't be separated when the final whistle went either, as Limerick's Paul O'Brien landed a long-range free at the death to make it 0-14 all.
Defender Aidan McCarthy's solitary point came at a vital stage in the first period of extra-time to level it again at 0-16, when legs were heavy, and you would have forgiven another wide being added to the tally.
Two points from Gary Cooney eventually proved to be the difference, as Clare's Minors joined the seniors in booking their place in the final.
Brian Turnbull – Cork
A hugely dramatic game between Cork and Tipperary ended in a draw first time out, and meant that they would have to face off again on Monday night to see who would join Clare in the Munster final.
Evan Sheahan showed incredible nerve to step up and score a late goal in that first encounter, finding the back of the net from 20 metres. However, Turnbull's scoring performance that got them into the position to force the tie to a replay, as he notched up nine points, five from frees.
And on Monday night, Turnbull was once again in fine form. He was involved in his side's second goal as he worked well to put Liam O'Shea through, and was unerringly accurate from the dead ball as he put over four frees.
He finished with eight points to his name in total, as Cork survived a late scoring spree from Tipperary to secure a 2-22 to 2-19 win, booking their place in a Munster Minor Final for the first time since 2008.
Adrian Mullen – Kilkenny
Kilkenny sealed an incredible 57th Minor title as they overcame Dublin, and it was captain Adrian Mullen who led by example right from the off.
Within a minute, he had slammed the ball into the back of the Croke Park net, and the Cats never let their foot off the gas from that moment. Sean Ryan added a second goal three minutes later, as Dublin's slow start was to cost them in the end.
Great Win for the Kilkenny minors today in the Leinster Final. A Very good side Adrian Mullen a Real match winner with 1-9 ?? pic.twitter.com/RRZDYpwMXS
— Buff Egan (@buff_egan) July 2, 2017
Whatever about the opposition, Mullen proved unstoppable on the day, finishing as Kilkenny's top scorer. He notched a 65, four frees and four points from play to add to his goal, capping a superb performance.
Not that you'd need telling with those stats, but it sounds like you might want to note the name down for future reference.
You can cast your vote for the player of the week nominees every week on Electric Ireland's Facebook page.
