Mulrooney optimistic Cats can maintain rate of development

GIVEN their tremendous record at minor hurling, it’s hard to credit that Kilkenny haven’t won the All-Ireland title since 2003.

Tipperary stand in their way of reaching another final, and with the Premier County looking to win their third title in-a-row, all the ingredients are there for a great semi-final tomorrow.

Earlier in the year, all the talk in Leinster was about Dublin and Wexford at minor level, with Kilkenny a poor third, but according to their coach Richie Mulrooney, once they got their squad together, the feeling was one of optimism.