Minor loss fired Cats to U-21 win, says Dempsey

KILKENNY’S failure to win the Leinster minor title three years ago had been a powerful motivating force behind their All-Ireland Under-21 success in Thurles on Sunday, believes selector Mick Dempsey.

The former Laois football manager, who was involved with his first inter-county hurling team, said "There was a bit of pressure on them to win, but we probably didn't see it that way.

"The fellows just wanted it really, because when they were a minor team they got beaten. They didn't even win Leinster," he pointed out.