2008
It’s hard to believe, but when Kilkenny open their Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship Quarter-Final tonight against Dublin, it will be six years since they last lifted the Cross of Cashel trophy.
Conor Martin is named at full-forward for tonight’s clash, and ahead of the game we chatted about the long wait for success, meeting Kilkenny fans expectations and if he’ll be watching JJ or Henry on his TV this summer.
Describe the atmosphere in the squad ahead of tonight?
The mood is good. Practice games have gone well and we’ve a full squad so there’s going to be no excuses if we come up short. When you get onto the field you have to go to war and you’d do anything to win and with the nature of the U21 championship it’s all about winning. You lose one game and your summer is over hurling-wise so the whole concentration is on winning.
Why is Kilkenny’s record at the grade so poor recently?
The last two years have been disappointing. Last year, losing to Wexford in the opening round, but to be fair they were a very strong Wexford team and they went on to play in the All-Ireland final. The year before was another Wexford team in the Leinster final but they were two strong teams. Hopefully this year we’re a little bit stronger and maybe get out of the province if we get on a good run.
What is the main focus for Kilkenny in the week of a game?
When we build up to a game we concentrate more on sharpening up the skill level really and not so much on fitness. the mantra really for Kilkenny I think at every level is get your touch right,get your reactions right, getting the ball because we’re fit enough and we just need to get the hurling right.
How was the squad managed the overlap between senior and U21 panels?
We have four lads in the senior team so it’s not too much of a drain on us when they are away on the senior panel. If anything it’s a benefit to us that we have most of the lads available at all times for training. When the four lads come back they really do bring an extra intensity to training . They up the work-level and they up the mood and I think it’s good we don’t have too many in with Brian’s senior panel.
How has the chicken and chips challenge game circuit gone?
We’ve played Cork and Clare and beat the two of them so we’re happy enough. At the same time, Cork were missing a lot of their senior players and it was the same for Clare and we don’t have that problem. It is positive but you don’t take too much from that.
The U21 panel contains a number of All Ireland minor winners from last year?
It’s great that we have those lads that were minor last year because they bring a winning mentality to the squad. They won Leinster and the all Ireland and that”s our aspiration for the year. The lads that have come through then a are fitter and stronger after last year and that’s great for us.
Is it a failure in Kilkenny when you don’t win an All-Ireland every year?
We want to be winning all the time but the fans are very supportive. Even when we went out last year in the first round it was obvious that that Wexford team was a very good team and fans put no pressure on you.
How does Kilkenny club hurling compare to the U21 championship?
U21 level in Kilkenny at club level is fierce. If you get to be a leader at U21 in your club then you’re expected to progress onto the inter-county scene. It’s brilliant and the club is so competitive in Kilkenny especially at the upper levels. Intermediate for us is probably as good as senior in a lot of other places and it’s very hard to win. If you’re doing well there then you’d hope you’d do well at county.
How are you feeling playing Dublin?
We’re going to have to have a serious look at them and try and pinpoint some weaknesses and exploit them on the day and we can’t wait to play them. We (Martin is studying in UL) played UCD this year and we played them down in UL and we beat them. There was a handful of them on that team. They’re very fit, very strong – the same as every Dublin team. We have to cope with that on the day. You see how at senior their skill set is unbelievable this year and we expect the same in Parnell Park.
How do Kilkenny maintain the hunger to win year after year?
You have to have that hunger for the ball. Kilkenny last year they wanted every ball,every man just wanted it, and then they did the right things with the ball when they had it. We know the players that are in that senior set up and we know they are unbelievable hurlers. Last year wasn’t a surprise to us. When they go out on the pitch they give their all and confidence was very high when it came to championship. The doubt was there last year from people around the county. But once there is no doubt from people within the camp then it doesn’t really matter. In that tight circle and if you believe you can win and there’s no doubt then you will go close to winning. That’s what they built on last year and it worked.
How do you think Henry Shefflin and JJ Delaney will cope as TV pundits?
It will be weird to see them on TV and not out on the pitch. Henry is best player ever to play hurling and a lot of people look forward to see what he will have to say. JJ then is one of the best backs, if not the best of all time. People won’t know what to look at.
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