From Kittens to Cats

THEY are the Cinderella story of Kilkenny hurling, the ugly little duckling that swanned into its first county senior final in 1998. Having won it, they enjoyed the experience so much that for the next three years, they never left the biggest stage in the county.

In 1999 Graigue-Ballycallan lost out to Glenmore, but a year later, they were champions again, and progressed all the way to the All-Ireland club final, only beaten in extra-time by the great Athenry side from Galway.

Two years ago, though drained from a year-long effort, they reached yet another Kilkenny senior final, losing out to O'Loughlin Gaels. That wasn't the end of them however. This year they have already wrapped up what is a very competitive league in Kilkenny, have qualified for the county championship quarter-final. From nowhere, yet now a powerhouse.