resilience. That match
was drifting away from
Kilkenny, who fell well
behind before launching a
gutsy comeback mission.
Trailing by a dozen
points in the opening
half, Kilkenny responded
to draw level with 10
minutes left on the clock.
Galway eventually took
the spoils, but Kilkenny
left Croke Park heartened
and aware that another
opportunity to perform
at GAA headquarters was
likely.
Last Saturday Galway
edged out Clare ensuring
Kilkenny’s passage into
the last four. Kilkenny will
relish the chance to test
Limerick’s resolve.
In the Munster showpiece
Cathal O’Neill’s nine-point
contribution was significant,
while Patrick O’Donovan
carried a threat inside
pinching 1-1.Aidan O’Connor dashed
about also nailing three
points, but Limerick’s sheer
hard graft in the second
period was pivotal.In the 20 minutes after the
restart Limerick restricted
Clare to three shots on goal
and while the Banner did
register 1-1 in that spell, it
was far from sufficient.These are good times for
hurling in Limerick with
the work carried out in the
county during the past
decade being reflected onthe national stage in the
underage and senior ranks.“In terms of the Academy
there is a lot of work going
into ensuring U14s, U15s, and
U16s age groups before they
come to minor that players
are being brought together,”
Mullins admits. “Panels are
being put in place, players
are being exposed to inter-
county action.“Obviously that helps
when you come to minor,
there is a sense that they
have trained a lot together,
there is a bond built up,
particularly this year.“There has been a redoubling
of efforts within the Academy
since Limerick’s success in
the senior last year.”Kilkenny youngsters
haven’t exactly been short
on role models during the
decorated Brian Cody era. St
Kieran’s College have set the
standard in the Croke Cup -
contesting the last six finals,
winning five.A string of those players
are beginning to deliver at
senior level for Kilkenny.
There is always hope and a
pathway. Today’s contest is
the next step towards that
ultimate destination with
Limerick’s emerging talent
readying themselves for such
occasions too. It is why this
game is worth monitoring.CATHAL O’NEILL,
LIMERICK