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Hurling

hurling

Kilkenny U-21 hurlers not overlooking Derry

Conor Delaney

Conor Delaney

By John Harrington

The Kilkenny U-21 hurlers are red-hot favourites to beat Derry in Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U-21 Hurling semi-final but know from bitter experience not to take anything for granted in this grade.

The core of the current side are survivors of the Kilkenny U-21 team that were victims of the biggest shock of the 2016 hurling season when they were beaten in the Leinster Championship by Westmeath.

So it’s no surprise to hear team full-back Conor Delaney insist they’re going into this match against Derry with their eyes wide open.

“Yeah, we've a small bit of homework done on them and they obviously came through Ulster comfortably enough with beating Down and Antrim,” said Delaney.

“Their seniors won the Nicky Rackard as well, so we won't be going in there with any illusions, we'll know what's ahead of us and will have to be prepared fully for that.”

Kilkenny won the Leinster Championship in impressive style by beating Dublin and Westmeath before crushing Wexford in the Provincial Final.

It was a redemptive experience for players like Delaney and others who had been stung by the fall-out from last year’s defeat to Westmeath.

“We lost to Westmeath and obviously they were just a much better team on the day, there was no argument about that,” said Delaney.

“I suppose it came as a surprise to the county more than the group, that they were more shocked but we knew we were out-hurled on the day. A lot of people didn't see the match and just saw the result.

Pat Lyng

Pat Lyng

“Within the group you’d always put a bit of pressure on yourself to perform. I suppose we had a small bit of a point to prove to ourselves that maybe we are good enough to do something.

“Thankfully we got a good Leinster campaign under our belts, three very good wins against three very strong teams.

“I suppose it kind of eased the conscience a bit that we're not as bad as we thought we were maybe.”

Most of these Kilkenny U-21s won an All-Ireland minor medal three years ago and many of them have also tasted All-Ireland Colleges success with St. Kieran’s, so it doesn’t look like the conveyor belt of talent in the county has slowed down as much as some have recently suggested.

“The St. Kieran's boys, I think some of them could have won three All-Irelands in a row there,” says Delaney.

“A couple of the lads would have had great success with the clubs as well. Bennettsbridge and the likes of them.

“I suppose we had a lot of success growing up and it's a lot easier that way, a lot easier to keep interested in it and keep driving it on.

“We had a great minor success as well, but it's just trying to build on that is the important thing really.”