By Cian O'Connell

Since winning their last Kilkenny SHC crown back in 1993, Dicksboro have worked diligently in the underage ranks.

Dicksboro's list of honours in the always competitive Kilkenny environment is lengthy.

Six County Under 14 Feile titles including All Ireland victories in 2009 and 2017. Kilkenny Intermediate Championships in 2005 and 2010 hinted at progress, but it is only now that Dicksboro are truly re-establishing themselves back at the top table.

In 2012 Dicksboro were beaten in a Kilkenny senior decider by Ballyhale, but they return to that stage with a fresh and exciting team.

Former Dicksboro and Kilkenny goalkeeper Michael Walsh's son, Ollie, is an influential figure in the current crop. There is a family link with Walsh the classy custodian back in 1993, but he is hugely respectful about how Dicksboro always planned for the future.

"A lot of work has gone in, there is a great underage structure always in the club," Walsh admits.

"It hasn't come to fruition really at senior level, but they are still working away. There is always great underage working going on.

"It is going on everywhere in Kilkenny, but Dicksboro have a great structure altogether. A lot of those fellas are coming through now and they are going to play on Sunday."

There is hope in the Kilkenny air ahead of the tussle with James Stephens and Dicksboro bring a much changed panel compared to 2012 when Ballyhale beat them by 0-16 to 0-12.

"Funnily enough, there is a big change really in the panel since then," Walsh states.

"You probably will only have five or six of that team starting on Sunday. There is a new breed coming through, if you like, it is a different team.

"There is definitely a new wave of lads coming through and it comes from the hard work that went in at underage, it moves on."

Now Dicksboro and The Village are primed to clash in an eagerly anticipated encounter.

"There is great excitement, the fact that it is an all city final as well, it is a bit unique," Walsh says. "There is a great buzz around the place."

James Stephens haven't triumphed since 2011 following an absorbing draw and replay with Ballyhale.

Dynamic and decorated Kilkenny hurlers from the past and present will be dotted around their team. Sunday offers an ideal backdrop for the emerging youngsters in both clubs to audition to become part of the striped panel in the coming months.