Players to watch out for in Saturday's minor final between Tipperary and Limerick

Tipperary will face Limerick in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final on Saturday

Tipperary and Limerick are the last two standing in this year’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship, and the Munster rivals will put it all on the line on Saturday afternoon in the 2026 decider.

As ever, the talent that will be on display will be the cream of the crop in underage hurling, and both teams have an abundance of potential stars of the future in the ranks. Below, I have picked three of the standout performers from each time and outlined how they could be the big influence for their sides on the day.

1. Chris Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole & Tipperary)

Chris Dunne has been one of the main men for the Tipperary forward division this term. This was most evident in the semi-final victory over Cork recently.

After starting the campaign slowly, slightly curtailed by injury, the Gortnahoe Glengoole man has become a major target man from puckout, while his free-taking and scoring ability continues to improve with each game.

This is Dunne’s second year at this level, and it can sometimes be forgotten just how much a player can develop in a single year at this age. Physically, he is a hugely imposing player for an under-17 player, and that, coupled with his ball-winning ability on the ground and in the air, is a major weapon for Tipperary.

A calf injury midway through the Munster campaign really tested the Tipperary depth, something that was navigated quite well. Still, Dunne’s scoring contributions have been massive, with the Gortnahoe Glengoole man registering a whopping 5-25, and with the confidence soaring for the youngster, he will be a tough prospect for the Limerick defence.

2. Conall Morrison (Moyle Rovers & Tipperary)

This Tipperary attack is far from a one-man show, and there is little reliance on any one player, which is a huge strength of the team. But if there is one standout player who has delivered in every game this year for James Woodlock, it is mercurial forward Conall Morrison.

The Moyle Rovers man has been a revelation this year, and like Chris Dunne, this is his second year competing at this level, and he has grown substantially in the interim between 2025 and 2026.

His scoring consistency has been insane this term. He has amassed a ridiculous tally of 2-21, all coming from open play, in the five games he has played; missing the final round robin game against Waterford due to rotation, as Tipperary had already qualified for the Munster final.

But it isn’t just his scoring ability, as he has the ball-winning ability and work ethic to match and leads the forwards by example in terms of his workrate and willingness to put in the hard graft, which really complements his undoubted talent. He is a big-game player for Tipperary.

3. James Finn (Golden Kilfeacle & Tipperary)

While the natural inclination when running the rule over a winning team is the attacking abundance, particularly within this Tipperary team, the performances and leadership of Golden Kilfeacle’s James Finn has been a main contributor to the Premier success this term.

He has been an ever-present and steadying influence at the heart of the defence, proving to be a solidifying figure throughout the campaign and his playmaking ability has largely gone unnoticed.

The Tipperary defence - aside from the opening Munster round robin game - has been extremely mean, conceding an average of just over 20 points a game and has kept three clean sheets, and Finn has been a major reason for that.

Centre-back is a pivotal position in the modern game, and with the coolness, ball-playing ability and long-range shooting prowess that he possesses, his form will be crucial to Tipperary’s chances. Finn and his fellow defenders have really curtailed Limerick twice already this year, and he will be hoping for a repeat.

1. Xavier Neligan (Kilmallock & Limerick)

If Tipperary are to end Limerick's hopes in the All-Ireland minor final, one player they will need to keep a close eye on is Xavier Neligan. The Kilmallock midfielder has emerged as one of the driving forces behind Limerick's run to the decider and arrives in excellent form.

Neligan announced himself to a wider audience in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway when he produced one of the scores of the championship. Collecting possession around midfield, he embarked on a powerful 60-metre run before rifling an unstoppable shot to the net.

He finished the game with 1-2 from midfield and was one of the standout performers as Limerick secured their place in the final. A strong ball-carrier with an eye for scores, Neligan offers far more than the traditional midfield role.

His ability to break lines, win possession and chip in on the scoreboard makes him a constant threat. If given time and space, the Kilmallock man has the potential to be a match-winner on the biggest stage.

2. Shane Waters (Na Piarsaigh & Limerick)

Limerick captain Shane Waters is the man who makes the Treaty attack tick and is undoubtedly one of the key figures Tipperary must contain in the All-Ireland final. Operating primarily at centre-forward, Waters has been Limerick's chief scorer throughout the championship and has consistently delivered in the biggest games.

The Na Piarsaigh man produced a captain's performance in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Clare, scoring 1-9, including a crucial penalty, as Limerick powered into the last four. He followed that up with another influential display in the semi-final victory over Galway, contributing nine points and dictating much of Limerick's attacking play.

An accurate free-taker and a composed finisher from play, Waters combines scoring ability with leadership qualities that belie his age. He has led by example all season and has repeatedly shown a knack for producing big moments when his side needs them most. If Limerick are to win the All-Ireland minor title, expect their captain to lead by example.

3. John O’Riordan (Bruff & Limerick)

While much of the attention surrounding this Limerick side has focused on captain Shane Waters and midfield powerhouse Xavier Neligan, wing-back John O'Riordan is another player capable of having a major influence on the All-Ireland final.

The Bruff clubman has been a consistent presence in a Limerick defence that has grown stronger as the championship has progressed. Comfortable in possession and eager to support attacks, O'Riordan offers far more than traditional defensive qualities.

Lining out at wing-back, he has shown a willingness to drive forward whenever opportunities arise and was among the scorers in Limerick's impressive All-Ireland semi-final victory over Galway, landing a well-taken point from a tight angle early in the second half. A player who reads the game well and uses the ball intelligently, O'Riordan helps provide the platform from which Limerick launch many of their attacks.

With Tipperary expected to carry a significant threat in the inside forward line, his defensive work will be crucial to the Treaty.