By John Harrington

One of the most remarkable aspects of Cork’s Munster SHC victory over Tipperary on Sunday was just how well their new kids on the block hurled.

All five players who made full debuts were among their best performers, including Luke Meade who hit three first-half points. 

The fleet-footed, skilful attacker played like someone who was born for the big occasion, but he admits there were a few butterflies in his belly before the game.

“Yeah I suppose I was nervous going into it,” said Meade today at the launch of the Bord Gáis All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship.

“You're trying to get an early touch or an early score, so thankfully I got a couple points there at the start to settle the nerves. The rest of the young fellas did as well, played really well. We're just happy.

Meade also impressed for Cork during the League, but found Championship hurling to be a considerable step-up. 

“Playing in it, it felt there was a score every 20 seconds,” he said. “It was amazing really. It was just a free-flowing game. It was a real shootout. That suited us I suppose.

“It's definitely a lot faster than the league. The league as a big step up to what I'm usually playing at. The pace was pretty fast I suppose (on Sunday).

“The atmosphere, I really enjoyed. It was unreal. Going around in the parade was really special moment.”

Meade was replaced against Tipperary by another Cork young-gun, Michael Cahalane, who scored their decisive second-goal almost immediately after his introduction.

“I was like a fan, I was nearly trying to run on to the pitch to celebrate!” said Meade.  “We were just delighted with it.”

Meade’s delight partly had to do with the fact that Cahalane was told three years ago he would never hurl again after developing a serious heart illness.

The two are good friends since hurling together for Hamilton High School, so seeing Cahalane make such a successful return to the game has been a source of huge satisfaction for Meade.

“He was in the year above me, he was in 6th year at the time, we were in 5th and when we heard that, we were absolutely devastated," says Meade.

“He's an absolute legend and he's a really nice fella. He's probably the best player I played with growing up. In the Harty Cup there with Hammies, he was carrying us through most games.

“We were absolutely gutted when we heard the news but when we heard he was coming back, we were ecstatic really.”

You’d imagine Sunday’s win will bring this young Cork team to a new level, but, as satisfying as it was, Meade is determined to keep his feet on the ground.

“Yeah it gives a lot of confidence to the young fellas and the team in general but I suppose we were quietly confident going into it,” he says.

“Tipp were a really good team, we just wanted to perform. Obviously, we're happy with the win but I suppose we're going to have just focus on the Waterford game now, it's only one win.”