The conveyor belt is strong down in Kilkenny.
The Cats have won five All-Ireland minors in the last 15 years and the county’s current under-17s are throwing all the shapes of a team that are gunning to add another Irish Press Cup to the collection.
Hurling is the only currency down Noreside where hurls and sliotars are never out of the youngsters’ hands for too long.
With bottomless talents being moulded in the hurling Hogwarts of St. Kieran’s College every year, and exiting those famous gates ready for the famous black and amber shirt, the county’s underage sides always have an array talented young players.
Loads of success without a hurley in sight and while hurling is never forced on anybody, this story helps to explain why it will always rule the roost in Kilkenny @KieransCollege @KilkennyCLG https://t.co/uzgovSqa2Q
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) April 25, 2018
The Kilkenny minor hurlers have absolutely blitzed their way through the group stages of the Leinster minor championship and now they’re headed for the decider.
Richie Mulrooney’s side defeated a gallant Offaly outfit on Saturday afternoon and though they had to earn their victory, they found the answers whenever they were pushed for them. That’s exactly what they’ve been doing all year.
As for Offaly, the Faithful County will be pleased with this campaign. They defeated Meath, thrashed Kildare and took care of Antrim on the way to this one where their first half showing gave Kilkenny their biggest scare yet.
A lack of underage success has been at the root of much of the county’s failings over the last few years, so this win bodes well for them.
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship S/F (HT) Offaly 1-10 (13) Kilkenny 0-11 (11) #GAA
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) June 23, 2018
It was men like Ciaran Brennan who stood up for the cats.
Brennan is one of Ireland’s most exciting young talents. The Bennetsbridge club man has represented his country’s soccer team at international level, he’s had trials across the pond. For now, his focus is on hurling and with the success he’s having with the small ball, his head will be harder turned to football.
After scoring the crucial goal to secure St. Kieran’s College their 22nd Croke Cup in March, he’s been ripping it up in the black and amber.
VIDEO Credit: TG4 Youtube.
On Saturday the small but jinky forward took the Faithful rearguard for five from play, his contribution eventually turning this game.
His club mate Jamie Harkin was corner back on the team that defeated the Faithful county. He’s also represented Republic of Ireland underage soccer teams.
The Bennetsbridge pair were aided and abetted by Village club man Cian Kenny who kept the scoreboard ticking, as did accurate free-taker and the team’s captain Conor Kelly.
Corner forward Eoin Guilfoyle also continued his fine form here, as did Castlecomer’s Jack Buggy.
Kilkenny will take on the winners of Wexford and Dublin in the final. The Cats will have plenty of confidence going into that one, when you consider they’ve beaten both of these rivals well in the group stages.
Indeed, Saturday’s 0-24 total has been their lowest scoring tally in an hour of hurling in their five games to date.
Here’s the results of their games so far.
Kilkenny 1-26 Laois 1-12
Kilkenny 3-23 Dublin 4-12
Kilkenny 3-21 Wexford 1-12
Kilkenny 5-28 Westmeath 1-5
Kilkenny 0-24 Offaly 2-13
Their average scoring tally is 32 points a game. That’s some shooting.
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