At the tender age of 20, Joe Canning is already being viewed as a hurling legend in GAA circles and was named Young Hurler of the Year in 2008.

6'2" in height, the Galway forward is a towering presence on the pitch even before his breathtaking natural ability is taken into account.

A dead ball specialist and expert play maker, Joe made his debut on Galway's U-21 hurling team in 2006, when the Tribesmen lost to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final, despite Joe notching up a score of 2-4 and finishing the game as the top scorer.

Liam's profile is on the rise in 2009 as the 19 year old forward has played a notable role in the resurgence of the Dublin senior hurlers under Anthony Daly.

The St. Pat's Palmerstown club man captained the Dublin minor hurling team in 2008 and formed part of the Dublin team that won the Minor Leinster Championship in 2007.

Liam went on to make his debut for Dublin against Cork in the League earlier this year and he will no doubt be looking to better Dublin's 2007 performance in the U-21 hurling championship, when they were defeated by Galway.

Biography coming soon

Seamus Callanan has already made a firm mark on the hurling scene having secured both All Star and Young Hurler of the Year nominations last year.

The Drom and Inch player made his county debut against the Rebels of Cork last year and went on to score a goal to help secure the Munster crown for Tipperary. He notched a total of 1-3 from play on that occasion confirming his superb talent as a centre-forward and shortly afterwards he scored the pivotal goal in the U-21 Munster final, captaining his county to a second provincial victory.

As well as his Munster Senior and U-21 decorations, Seamus also has minor club and U-16 county final medals as well as an All-Ireland minor medal in his collection.

Antrim's Arron Graffin plays his club hurling with Cushendall Ruairi Ogs and the centre half back is widely regarded as one of the up and coming stars of Ulster hurling.

He was on the team that narrowly lost out to De La Salle in the All-Ireland Club semi final this year, the club's ninth defeat at that stage in their Championship history, and the Glensman understandably cites that defeat as his worst hurling moment to date.

At 21, Arron already has three senior county championships, two minor county championships and two senior provincial championships to his name, and that's just with his club.

In the short time since Richie Hogan burst on to the scene, he has already won more than many do throughout their GAA careers.

Richie made his debut for Kilkenny in against Offaly in last year's Leinster SHC semi final and went on to be the two goal hero in the All-Ireland semi final victory over Galway, helping Kilkenny to book a spot in their fifth final in six years.

Despite his already notable senior career, Richie cites Kilkenny's victory in the Bord Gáis U-21 All-Ireland Final last year as his greatest hurling moment.

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Munster Quarter Final Tipperary v Cork
03.06.2009

Tipperary will begin their defence of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Munster title at Semple stadium as the Premier welcome Cork to the county for the second time in less than a week. With no back door in this competition, the tie has everything riding on it.

John Considine has named four senior panellists in his Cork side including full-forward Patrick Horgan, left corner-back Conor O'Sullivan, right half-forward Brian Corry and Paudie O'Sullivan who will start at centre back.

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Leinster Semi Final Kilkenny v Offaly
09.06.2009

Offaly travel to the Cats lair for their first Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 outing of the year to face the defending All-Ireland Champions in Nowlan Park in the Leinster Semi Final. The match is a repeat of last year's Leinster final which Kilkenny won, 2-21 to Offaly's 2-9.

Kilkenny already have a match behind them in this year's campaign having comfortably defeated Laois by 11 points and make one change from that team with senior regular Ritchie Hogan having overcome injury to start in the forward line ahead of James Nolan. All other changes are positional.

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Leinster Semi Final Dublin v Wexford
09.06.2009

Dublin have made five changes to their starting 15 for their Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Leinster semi final against Wexford in Parnell Park on Wednesday night.

Four of the alterations have been made in the forward line up with Peter Kelly, Paul Garbutt, David O'Connor and Barry O'Rorke all starting at the expense of Darren Kelly, Darren Whelan, Emmet McCabe and Aodhán McInerney who featured in the team which defeated Kildare (1-10 to 1-3) last time out. The other change is at full-back where Máirtín Quilty replaces Eanna Walsh at full-back.