If you think the Leinster SFC is a procession, you should check out the minor hurling version.
Since Offaly claimed the 2000 renewal Kilkenny and Dublin have shared the Hanrahan Cup between them. This Millennium has belonged to the teenage Cats and Jackeens.
Can this be the year the rest of the province rises up and challenges the duopoly?
Maybe. If so the contenders will make themselves known this weekend as the tournament gets underway. Kilkenny and Dublin don’t enter the fray till later this month, which gives the rest a chance to hone their skills.
Here are five young hurlers to keep an eye out for in Leinster this year.
Wexford – Conal Flood
Accustomed to success on the hurlign field from a very young age, the son of Wexford hurling royalty, 1996 All-Ireland medallist Seanie Flood, Conal is pictured above with his father.
The teenager, already a seasoned senior club campaigner with Cloughbawn, has featured for the Ireland Under 18 football team.
The Enniscorthy CBS student was brought on as a late substitute in last year’s shock loss to Westmeath, and much is expected of him in 2016 where he will most likely be deployed in midfield, or as a play-making centre-forward.
Offaly – Eimhin Kelly
The second son of a mid-1990s hurling legend to make our list, Kelly is rated as one of the best young hurlers in the county at present and the Lusmagh clubman has impressed for his club at various grades.
Son of All-Ireland winner Brendan Kelly, the teenager has been a key player for his school side Banagher College in Leinster action over the last two years.
@Offaly_GAA That would be Eimhin Kelly, gan dabht (mar a deirtear ar TG4).
— Plain of the Herbs (@Plainofherbs) March 20, 2016
A midfielder last year, he may find himself be pushed forward to aid the Offaly attack.
Laois – Aaron Bergin
The Portlaoise clubman is not just a minor star, but was named the man-of-the-match in his club’s U21 December triumph.
The free-taker is one of the most gifted strikers of a ball in this year’s championship, and his accuracy, for a teenager, is at times, startling.
He was used at wing forward in 2015, but we’d imagine Bergin’s talents, as well as club and school exploits, will see him fixed at either 11 or 14 for the minor campaign.
Kilkenny – Colum Prendiville
The Kilkenny minors, already confident as they are, will begin their campaign with several players fresh from All-Ireland glory with St Kieran’s College.
One of the outstanding players on the school’s route to last month’s success was Irish international basketballer Colum Prendiville, who started the win over Ard Scoil Rís at centre-forward.
He has bulked up significantly in the last few years, and is yet another forward to emerge from the nursery of Graigue-Ballycallan that has previously produced All-Ireland winners Adrian Ronan and Eddie Brennan.
Likely to be developed as a key option under the opposition puck-outs, Prendiville’s lengthy stride means one step on an opponent can often develop into yards within seconds.
Dublin – Daire Gray
Much like Kilkenny, Dublin are not in action until later in the month, which will allow manager Johnny McGuirk the chance to get a good look at his players.
Gray started last year’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Tipperary at wing-back, but we’d expect to see him in a more advanced role this term.
He impressed with the Dublin North Colleges side who lost out to All-Ireland champions St Kieran’s in the Leinster semi-final. As one of a handful of players to feature in 2016, his experience will be vital in helping the first-timers making the step up this term.
SATURDAY:
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship 2016
TIER 2
Wexford v Westmeath, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar 1.45
Laois v Offaly, O’Connor Park, Tullamore 2.00
TIER 3
Carlow v Kildare, Netwatch Cullen Park 3.00
Wicklow v Meath, Pearses Park, Arklow 1.30
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